How do I get closer to the front in economy?

[banger2]

Hi All,
I'm Ashley. Like many I'm a long term lurker...this time 1st time poster!

I was hoping some of the experienced flyers may be able to answer this question for me. I did have a brief search for the answer on the forum but couldn't locate an answer, so apology if this has been raised before!

How do i get a seat allocated closer to the front of an aircraft? Now I know the easiest answer is get a premium ticket as opposed to an economy ticket! However, excepting recently using Premium Economy, I really cant afford to fly anything other than economy. Usually aircraft have several sections of economy, both in domestic and international aircraft. Whilst I'm just a lowly bronze (for now!) for the last 5 years, I haven't done huge amounts of flying, I am wondering if FF status has a bearing on seat allocation or selection availability. Am I close to the mark on that one?

As an example, rows 23-32 are separated from rows 34-55 on a 767 by a partition/galley etc. Always I have been only able to select or get allocated a seat in row 34-55, never 23-32. That seems to equally apply to the 747s I have flown.

Thanks for any replies in advance
Ashley

 

[moa999]

For Domestic

1. Get status. QFs seating software allocates Platinums first, then Gold etc.

2. Keep checking back using OLCI from the 24hr mark to see if a better seat pops up (it appears that once a seat is released - eg someone changing flights or upgrading, then that seat is available to all).

For International

1. Try and get a pre-seating allocation (generally first 25% of the plane)

2. Get status (Platinums can put in seat requests)

 

[Flashback]

For Domestic

1. Get status. QFs seating software allocates Platinums first, then Gold etc.

2. Keep checking back using OLCI from the 24hr mark to see if a better seat pops up (it appears that once a seat is released - eg someone changing flights or upgrading, then that seat is available to all).

For International

1. Try and get a pre-seating allocation (generally first 25% of the plane)

2. Get status (Platinums can put in seat requests)

Welcome to AFF banger2!

Generally to preallocate the first 10 or so rows of economy, and certain other "good" seats you need to be Oneworld Ruby status (Qantas Silver, or Qantas Club) or higher; regardless of when you try to preallocate. These are reserved for their statused PAX for preallocation.

 

[Grooba]

Welcome to AFF banger2!

As the others have said the seats you are after (towards the front of the plane) are generally blocked for the higher tiers of the FF program.

Pretty much as simple as that.

 

[Warks]

Q: How do I get closer to the front in economy?

A: Become a pilot.





(wot that lot said)

 

[blu]

I find that the five rows of two seats at the back are the best, if you are OK with all the shaking that can happen up there.

 

[Tejas]

Welcome to AFF banger2!

As the others have said the seats you are after (towards the front of the plane) are generally blocked for the higher tiers of the FF program.

Pretty much as simple as that.

i joined qantas club (bronze obviously) and immediatly got an upgrade from rows 56 and 48 to 26a and 26k... not too shabby

 

[banger2]

Hi All,
Thanks for the welcomes, and the replies!

Yes being a pilot would get me closer LOL! But I think the seating in the coughpit may be a little cramped, even though would have a great view, and lots of little buttons to push to keep amused I wonder about the inflight entertainment system tho.....

I think the answer is as I thought...status! Well its a big achievement for me, but Im just 160SC away from silver, with a PE flight to HKG already booked...leaving just 40SC to attain silver Im pleased!

I had a PE flight to HKG in November last year, which due to an aircraft change my family and I was upgraded to Business(my first upgrade and 1st Business class trip!)...but DOH I was on an award ticket so no SC's hehe...that would have gotten me there already me thinks...

anyway
cyas
Ashley

 

[samh004]

i joined qantas club (bronze obviously) and immediatly got an upgrade from rows 56 and 48 to 26a and 26k... not too shabby

That sounds very good. I'm hoping to join in the next few weeks, prior to some travel starting around May. I already have flights booked in June though so if I am bumped closer to the front I'd be very happy with that.

Booked for my sister too though, under the same booking, so hoping she joins me closer to the front otherwise it wont be so good.

Edit: Funnily enough, on an international flight SYD - ZQN we've got seats 15D & 15E, the row behind the exit row already. I'm just a lowly NB. I don't reckon that's too bad. How much closer could I get to the front with QP, and would I want to move up.

 

[Leecy]

I was wondering the same thing - although I want the back of the plane rather than the front. I always seem to get allocated over the wing, which is boring - I wanna look out the window! I can be lost for hours looking out.

I will be joining Qantas Club in the next month (I'm already a FF Bronze , although I don't have much points to my name) - and I have a RTW flight coming up in September, have been preallocated seats, but after looking at Seatguru, they are all on or around the wing.

Would I get away with getting the back if I called and asked?

 

[Grooba]

I would surely call them up and request the seats towards the rear as you prefer, purely because these seats are not generally highly sought after so they should be able to be preallocated to you.

It never hurts to ask!

 

[harvyk]

In short, ask QF, the worst they can do is say no. Also don't forget to update your FF profile. It would seam that QF pay attention to that so if you put front window in the profile that's what you'll more than likely get.

I'm only a PS, but I'm usually allocated the very front seats. Infact I'm flying with my family in a few weeks time and we have all been allocated excellent seats.

I've found that as long as you make your requests reasonable either really early or at the airport QF will usually go along with them.

Also moa999, WP are not the only group to be able to put in seat requests. Anyone can do it regardless of status, even on international. Infact every one of my international flights I've been able to request a specific seat if I didn't like the one that was allocated to me.

 

[serfty]

As per Flashware's post, the front 20% or so of the economy seating is reserved (or 'blocked') for pre-allocation by those with status. (Ruby, QP or higher). Also, designated exit row and bassinet seating is also blocked.

... Also moa999, WP are not the only group to be able to put in seat requests. Anyone can do it regardless of status, even on international. Infact every one of my international flights I've been able to request a specific seat if I didn't like the one that was allocated to me.

A request can be made for these blocked seats, but pre-allocation >~24 hours before the flight in these cases for NB etc. is unlikely.

As for exit row seats, Qantas generally only allows pre-allocation of these for WP or CL. SG or lower have to take their chances.

I have reservations for upcoming flights, where as a WP, I am already showing as being pre-allocated exit row seating.