I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight.

[AustraliaPoochie]

Seating in whY, ... was I just lucky, (sometimes the QF plane was pretty full), or is it a hush hush perk?
Only relevant to those of you who are QF SG FF members and have had this happen in whY.
Dont think this would an opportunistic upgrade, thats has happened once, but apart from that, the empty seat next to me has happened more than once.
One time BNE to ADL, I got the whole row to myself, QF plane had some spare seats.
Edit: these times, in question, I did not ask for or pay for the empty (comfort request).

 

[serfty]

I have had well over 1000 RPT flights, with by far the majority in the economy, and sometimes indeed I get a spare seat beside me.

Aside from the rare specifically and demonstrably attributable event I would not put such an occurrence down to anything other than the finagle of life in respect to frequently flying.

 

[Hvr]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

I guess you should enjoy your shadow while the sun shines.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

I'm only PS and get that a bit. Though to be fair, flights to/from Darwin would only be ~80% loads, except in peak seasons.

My best guess explanation is that not too many DRW fliers know about T-80 which helps me get row 4 with >50% success rate and then judging from a sneaky glance at boarding passes, I'm guessing I then benefit from WP shadows.

Could be similar for you AP.

 

[yohy?!]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

You sat next a platinum and basked in their shadow... I do it weekly to mel by picking a forward row when they open up to SG at T-80, most forward rows on the 737 for example with 1 seat left in the trio is likely a WP with the middle blocked

 

[bismarck]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

I was 3/4 on flights this week with a shadow in the exit row. I think 2 of them was benefiting from a WP shadow, and once was a super lightly loaded flight.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

So, its a sometimes.
Right. So, not to expect it as a must. Thanks.
Looking to fly back from AKL - MEL in Mar 16, after doing the F from SYD to AKL on the 12 Mar (PLANNED), was thinking if I should buy a comfort "package" AKL - MEL - ADL, or just buy a J without having to phone up QF Phone Sales.
Already SG, so no need to pay lounge access for the AKL QF J lounge. Was told by the QP lounge dragon master at AKL that the F lounge at AKL is not as good as elsewhere. Ahem, ahem!!! True?
So many choices, this QF and EK tie in, the chance of using a 380, and also the chance of a visit to the F lounge at SYDi.
Ahhh, spend, spend, spend, as Mr Hockey wants us to do.

 

[JohnK]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

Don't read anything into it. Pure luck....

 

[Kefci2000]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

Very rare for this to happen SYD-MEL
Used to happen on middle seat on B767 upfront a fair bit but is think that is more about WP's not liking middle isles

 

[RichardMEL]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

If you use points+pay they will block the seat next to you... no I'm just kidding. Sorry.

Yes the QF "F" lounge (section) at AKL is really poor. The "best" food I saw in there were party pies and it's pretty small. EK lounge is the best option at AKL anyway though not an option if not on EK of course.

I tend to agree with the theory above that it's a WP shadow that's working in your favour. Though some cynics might also suggest that while some WP's may not get a shadow, QF may have incentive to grant shadows to SG's and even PS's to induce them to continue to buy up to keep the status for this apparent perk. That you've asked the question is some evidence to support that theory. With the WP's and WP1's specially there's not a lot of incentive for QF to try and "keep" us since we're already flying a lot. I get the feeling QF sees the battle with VA in those mid tier flyers who perhaps could be more easily swayed by the opposition as opposed to the top tiers who (probably) will stay more or less loyal. This may indeed be complete bumpkin too

Enjoy, don't expect. Never expect and you'll never be disappointed.

 

[roncritch]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

Last flight down to PER went with wife (SG)on separate bookings. At T-80 I selected 4C...4A and 4B were free to be taken. Logged into wife's account 4A was available so selected it but 4B was not. Seems like I had the advantage of the shadow unless another WP or P1 wanted 4B but not available to SG. So the shadow does work sometimes (or at least until airport gets control)

 

[wanderer_au]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

I was on a Dash-8 flight from CBR to SYD this morning with QF, and although a lowly SG, saw a number of corporate types I know with an empty seat on the Dash like me, whereas government-funded WPs I know had people right next to them.

My theory? If you're a corporate traveller on that route, they're more likely to look out for you than someone who is a regular taxpayer-funded traveller. Just a thought.

 

[gaz0303]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

On QFlink flights as SG I am most often in rows 3 to 5 and 80% of the time have a shadow. Unfortunately row 4 has the propellors threatening to enter your row as per the Air Canada crash earlier in the year. From rows 6+ all seats are generally taken. I've learned not to do seat selection checking in to keep the shadow. I often get to share WP shadows on SYD-BNE flights or enjoy an exit row shadow.

I think there is more than luck to it. Once spare seats are assigned to WPs, SGs must surely get them next based on the amount time I have them. Ive had shadows to CJK, PER, DRW.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

I was on a Dash-8 flight from CBR to SYD this morning with QF, and although a lowly SG, saw a number of corporate types I know with an empty seat on the Dash like me, whereas government-funded WPs I know had people right next to them.

My theory? If you're a corporate traveller on that route, they're more likely to look out for you than someone who is a regular taxpayer-funded traveller. Just a thought.

IMHO It's nothing to do with 'corporate types' - it just comes down to who happens to be sitting in the first few rows of the aircraft.

A lot of Qlink Dash8 flights will have scattered seats blocked off in the first few rows by load control for weight and balance purposes.

It's a blocked seat and therefore not able to be selected by pax and would probably look like an occupied seat on MMB. It's not a 'shadow' due to the tier status of a pax as theoretical seating does not come into play in this scenario.

 

[Shamrock55]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

I am booked on WLG-SYD and SYD-DUB next week, on both flights I have a shadow that moved with me up to row 4 on the 737 and between empty rows on the A380, am SG for last year, quite impressed to have a shadow thanks QF!

 

[Duffa]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

I am a lowly bronze; but on my last 6 international flights I have had no-one beside me.

 

[mannej]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

I am booked on WLG-SYD and SYD-DUB next week, on both flights I have a shadow that moved with me up to row 4 on the 737 and between empty rows on the A380, am SG for last year, quite impressed to have a shadow thanks QF!

DUB is Dublin, DXB is Dubai

 

[Shamrock55]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

DUB is Dublin, DXB is Dubai

I know, I'm going to Dublin via Dubai, but thanks

 

[Sprucegoose]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

I am a lowly bronze; but on my last 6 international flights I have had no-one beside me.

Not just lowly ..... Lifetime Bronze !!!

 

[blu]

Re: I find sometimes that as a QF SG I get an empty seat next to me... on a QF flight

If only (for us).
Myself on the aisle. MrsB (SG too) at window. Always have someone in the middle seat.