Exit Row Seat Requests

[philflyer]

I am flying Qantas SYD - LAX on the 7th next month and I was wondering if it is possible and how far in advance I can request exit row seats? I can already see in my booking that 56K has alrdeay been requested for me.

I currently have silver status. My travelling partner has no status. I am hoping my request can cover both of us.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Phone QF and ask. But unlikey as posts here indicate only QF plat get these seats by asking

 

[jaseone]

In years past I would always be offered the exit row by check in counter staff as I'm 6'3" and I always get to the airport pretty early but these days even if I ask the exit row is hardly ever available at check in!

 

[JohnK]

QF Platinums can request exit row seats and if available are usually pre-allocated within a couple of hours of the request.

As a QF Silver you can certainly request exit row seats but as QF do not pre-allocate exit row seats for any status lower than Platinum you will not know until check-in if your request has been successful.

 

[NM]

Your only hope for an exit row seat is for it to be allocated to you at check-in time. So get there early and ask.

 

[philflyer]

Regarding the "get in early and ask" plan. Do you still think that would work when my trip starts in Melbourne?

My ticket begins with a domestic flight to Sydney before I join QF11 to LAX. I wonder if they would consider me for an exit row seat on QF11 when I check in at Melbourne. In that case... I would be there VERY early.

 

[jaseone]

Regarding the "get in early and ask" plan. Do you still think that would work when my trip starts in Melbourne?

My ticket begins with a domestic flight to Sydney before I join QF11 to LAX. I wonder if they would consider me for an exit row seat on QF11 when I check in at Melbourne. In that case... I would be there VERY early.

Actually that is your best bet as you will be checked and ticketed (assuming the connection is Qantas, even if it isn't you likely would be) in Melbourne all the way through, just make sure to ask when you check in.

 

[Mal]

Regarding the "get in early and ask" plan. Do you still think that would work when my trip starts in Melbourne?

May work. Plats get pre-selection choice for Exit rows. They are also the first to get upgrades via points, and normally the first to get operational upgrades.

So, seats may become free <12 hours before flight ready for snaffling...

Oh, and regarding the seating section of Qantas, the staff can speak to them directly and request seats rather than sending them a note/email or whatever happens when you request an exit row seat. I had Qantas call centre call up seating on my behalf to help solve a problem I had with allocations. They granted a seat to me...

 

[serfty]

Actually that is your best bet as you will be checked and ticketed (assuming the connection is Qantas, even if it isn't you likely would be) in Melbourne all the way through, just make sure to ask when you check in.

ISTR from my SG days that the MEL check in staff needed to call the staff at the flight's departure airport to do this. (Read SYD in this case)

 

[Mal]

ISTR from my SG days that the MEL check in staff needed to call the staff at the flight's departure airport to do this. (Read SYD in this case)

Which of course means if you get a lazy (or annoyed, or busy) check-in agent they may tap away for a couple of seconds and say "Sorry, all exit seats are booked".

 

[philflyer]

I'm hoping that there will be a considerate check in person on the Qantas Club check in queue that will help us out.

All these rules.... it's amazing! There's no harm in asking and I'm usually pretty happy with whatever I get.

The check in at Melbourne is about 4 hours before the actual departure of the flight to LAX. Hopefully those Plats will all be up the pointy end

 

[NM]

ISTR from my SG days that the MEL check in staff needed to call the staff at the flight's departure airport to do this. (Read SYD in this case)

That has also been my experience. Being pleasant and polite is the best way to get the check-in agent to help you and actually make the call. Then again, I think I was probably Platinum status when I have had this done at check-in, so not sure how successful a Silver member may be.

 

[MrHyde]

I am 6' 3" as well and always ask for an exit row seat. In the MEL - SYD - elsewhere flights, I've always been able to get an exit row for SYD - elsewhere without the staff calling anyone. I have only recently become Platinum, so I don't think that is the reason.

 

[serfty]

These days I generally have said exit pre-allocated; I was citing from my SG days which most recently finished some 3½ years ago. So things may have changed in that period.

 

[philflyer]

Just a quick update on this one.

On Tuesday morning when we checked in at Melbourne airport the lady at the check in counter said that we had to wait till we got to Sydney to see if we could get an exit row seat on QF11 to LAX.

Then we tried again with another lady at the desk in the domestic Qantas club in Melbourne. She rang Sydney and had 58A and B unlocked for us (exit row).

The story gets better. The flight was delayed till 3pm (90 mins late). Apparently the aircraft was swapped 4 times. Eventually we flew on the original AC we were meant to go on. As we boarded the attendant swiping the boarding passes ripped ours up and replaced them with 36A and B, Premium Economy exit row seats. We had moved from a 3 class 747 to a 4 class 747 so seats had to be shuffled around. He said that we got priority because of my One Wold ruby status (silver).

And I've gotta say it was a really nice and enjoyable ride. This was my first free upgrade. Not bad for $1000 tickets. :mrgreen:

 

[Flashback]

Congrats philflyer, certainly have to be happy with that!

 

[serfty]

Congratulations, it does happen now and then - and status does help..

 

[pauly7]

Congrats on the op up - what an awesome suprise

 

[Grooba]

Great stuff there on the upgrade, always a nice suprise.

 

[TONY BERRY]

Re this subject of exit row seats. If you have a medical problem? and can produce a doctors note do Qantas take it into consideration?