how to check for seating

[kiwitripper64]

I want to look at the seating plan for trip from mel-lhr. I know from qantas site it is a 747-400, but how can I find out the configuration ie

• 14 First; 52 Business; 32 Premium Economy; 255 Economy*
• 14 First; 50 Business; 32 Premium Economy; 255 Economy*
• 14 First; 66 Business; 265 Economy*
• 14 First; 64 Business; 265 Economy*

Secondly is there any way i can get a seat before the 24hr online seat request?

 

[NM]

Most common config used to London is the 14F, 50/52J, 315Y config. They are starting to roll out the premium economy cabin on that route so there is a possibility of getting the 14F, 50/52J, 32W, 265Y config.

However, it is possible for any of the 3-class configs could be used depending on individual day aircraft availability. but it will be a config that includes First Class unless you have a change part way through (such as QF5 SYD-SIN connecting to QF9 SIN-LHR where QF5 is a 2-class config).

Also note that some QF flights to London are operated by BA.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Secondly is there any way i can get a seat before the 24hr online seat request?

It depends whether you mean requested or guaranteed. For all international flights, seats are allocated when you do the booking. Some seats at the front of Y and the exit rows are restricted in advance to platinum members and other baby-friendly seats are also usually held back for families - you need to ring the service centre to get access to these.

You can look and see where your travel agent has put you by going to checkmytrip.com and entering your details - seat allocations will be in extra info.

However, none of these are set in stone. You might get moved to accommodate other people sitting together or a pushy plat. Generally, they deliver on what they have. There is no online allocation for international afaik.

 

[kiwitripper64]

thanks, forgot to look at checkmytrip.
The reason for seat request is I would like to get emergency exit row.
Any suggestions?

 

[NM]

thanks, forgot to look at checkmytrip.
The reason for seat request is I would like to get emergency exit row.
Any suggestions?

Only Qantas Platinum FF members can pre-allocate an exit row. The only other way is to be at the airport early for check-in as they will only allocate an exit row at the airport since they need to verify that you are physically able to assist in an emergency situation.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Only Qantas Platinum FF members can pre-allocate an exit row. The only other way is to be at the airport early for check-in

As NM says, the exit rows are probably the most coveted seats in economy, with the possible exception of a couple near the very front if you like little kids. That's eight seats out of three hundred and fifteen. Don't bank on getting one.

 

[serfty]

... For all international flights, seats are allocated when you do the booking. ...

Only true for QFF/oneworld Elites. Otherwise you or your TA or has to request seat pre-allocation.

More than that; while Elites can generally get preallocation up until a day or two before a flight, pre-allocation for others closes when ~25% of the cabin seating has been allocated.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

More than that; while Elites can generally get preallocation up until a day or two before a flight, pre-allocation for others closes when ~25% of the cabin seating has been allocated.

Oh, I thought travvies always did it. Didn't realise it was a status thing.

 

[Travel Guru]

Generally the seats self generate from QF on TA bookings, but most of the time we can access seating maps if we wish to move them around though never to exit row or the bulkhead.

Id say without status or a contact at the airline your chance of snagging exit row are about as good as mine are of snagging div 1 this saturday!!

TG

 

[kiwitripper64]

Only Qantas Platinum FF members can pre-allocate an exit row. The only other way is to be at the airport early for check-in as they will only allocate an exit row at the airport since they need to verify that you are physically able to assist in an emergency situation.

How can i do this?

 

[serfty]

How can i do this?

If you are QF WP, call Qantas premium and ask for a request for an aisle exit row seat preallocation be submitted.

Other than that, do what harpoon did and call Qantas to get a 'note' put into your booking to request for exit row on check-in, get to the airport very early; be there when check-in opens and request one if not already given.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

How can i do this?

What NM is saying is that they will not allocate exit rows to anyone other than Plats without seeing them ie they want to check you are not physically incapable of assisting in an emergency. In practice, this means you are not old, infirm, under 18 etc - but the checkin people MUST SEE YOU.

Therefore, if there are any exit row seats that have not already been snagged by plats etc, you must be first in the queue AT THE AIRPORT to get them.

 

[NM]

I managed to snag an exit row on QF52 SIN-BNE a few weeks ago. Booking was made the morning of the flight so no opportunity to request a "good" seat. I was travelling as an AA Executive Platinum member, not under my QF Gold membership.

I rocked up to the SIN FLounge to check-in and request an aisle seat, preferably a D or G seat. The nice lady at the FLounge desk asked if I wanted an exit row to which I replied in the affirmative :mrgreen: .

So the exit row seat had not been pre-allocated and as it was available at the time I was checking-in, and I was in-person so could be seen to be able-bodied, I was offered the exit row.

I was probably lucky to be checking-in quite early and before most people at the check-in counters. Though I was surprised they had not all been snagged by people coming through from Europe. Perhaps someone who already had it allocated had been upgraded, freeing it up for me.

 

[Travel Guru]

What NM is saying is that they will not allocate exit rows to anyone other than Plats without seeing them ie they want to check you are not physically incapable of assisting in an emergency. In practice, this means you are not old, infirm, under 18 etc - but the checkin people MUST SEE YOU.

Therefore, if there are any exit row seats that have not already been snagged by plats etc, you must be first in the queue AT THE AIRPORT to get them.

Thats not entirely correct ...if you know someone at the airline you can usually preallocate exit row, but im talking with my TA hat on there, which obviously helps.

Been a while since ive seen an intl Y cabin so not really a problem these days.

TG

 

[Hvr]

Generally the seats self generate from QF on TA bookings, but most of the time we can access seating maps if we wish to move them around though never to exit row or the bulkhead.

TG

Had no problems getting the bulkhead pre-allocated both ways, on my recent trip to Japan. Didn't get to sit in these seats either way but that's a story for an upcoming trip report.

In fact I was automatically allocated the bulkhead aisle seat on the outward bound trip.

 

[Travel Guru]

Had no problems getting the bulkhead pre-allocated both ways, on my recent trip to Japan. Didn't get to sit in these seats either way but that's a story for an upcoming trip report.

In fact I was automatically allocated the bulkhead aisle seat on the outward bound trip.

You'll find it's quite a common occurance that even if you can confirm the bulkhead that you'll be turfed out of it if you're not with an infant....thats why I mention it can't be booked, unlike exit it can often times but its not worth if you're going to get shoved into whats left which is usually middle seating.

TG

 

[NM]

You'll find it's quite a common occurance that even if you can confirm the bulkhead that you'll be turfed out of it if you're not with an infant....thats why I mention it can't be booked, unlike exit it can often times but its not worth if you're going to get shoved into whats left which is usually middle seating.

TG

Then again, Hvr may have missed out on his bulkhead economy seat due to a successful upgrade waitlist . I guess we will have to wait to read the promised TR.