Interesting Seat Allocation

[JohnK]

I have a business class booking CNS-TSV-BNE in 6 days time with CNS-TSV obviously an economy only aircraft with 2x2 seating. I had a look at the seat maps earlier today and noticed that I have been pre-allocated 15C for the CNS-TSV leg with row 1 blocked. :shock: Is this common practice for business class customers on economy class flights?

Called reservations inquiring about row 1 and after being on hold I was told that row 1 was pre-allocated to business class passengers and Platinum frequent flyers. What? If I understand correctly business class would not be sold on this flight unless the passengers continuing further than TSV.

I was told that I could have a seat in row 2 but no blocked seat.

This still does not sound right with me. I know when I booked the flight that this was an economy leg but wouldn't have thought that a Platinum frequent flyer would be allocated row 1 ahead of a business class passenger on the same flight.

So I mentioned my concern and asked that if I am put in row 2 can I have the seat next to me blocked. No was the answer! So I ask how a Platinum can get priority over a business class passenger? Put on hold while she spoke to supervisor again.

This time she came back and said that she made a mistake and row 1 is only business class passengers.

I am sorry but I am not stupid. There are 4 other business class passengers as well as me on this flight connecting through to BNE? I think, sorry I know, she lied to me to get rid of me.

I was assured that I would still get all the benefits of business class. How? Isn't seating one of these benefits?

Perhaps I am wrong but this leaves a bitter taste.

 

[mella2007]

I'm thinking a refund will be in order if they've sold you a business seat with the PE seating or Flexi Fare options on that route.

So many problems with their seating system. The Plat's could have allocated seating already, and who knows how their crazy system works sometimes....with/without status business using a flexi upgrade...

call back and speak to someone else. Get it sorted before you board, as technically they cannot sell you the Business fare if you're not getting the product (you positive it wasn't Flexi or PE on that route when you purchased?)

 

[JohnK]

I knew CNS-TSV was in economy. The direct flight CNS-BNE was too early.

I just did not realise that I would be allocated 15C and then not have a chance to get in first row as a business class passenger.

It is only a short flight but if this is how Virgin wants to compete with Qantas they are sadly mistaken.

 

[markis10]

What's the issue with row 15, you will be one of the first off the plane while Row 1 will be last.

 

[oz_mark]

Get it sorted before you board, as technically they cannot sell you the Business fare if you're not getting the product (you positive it wasn't Flexi or PE on that route when you purchased?)

Really? Maybe someone could tell Qantas that!

Sent from my GT-I9300T using AustFreqFly

 

[eastwest101]

First of all - are you flying CNS-TSV on VA or QF? If VA will be ATR42, if QF it will be QF Link Dash 8. I will assume it is VA, as that is where the thread is actually located.

Other people have commented that with the VA ATR42's Row 15 is first off the plane as its a rear door aircraft, what is your VA seat allocation for the TSV-BNE leg?

 

[onezero]

Row 1 vs Row 2 for a 45 minute flight? Do you seriously need to make a 9 paragraph post about this? I'm sorry but surely there's more important things in life to be concerned with.

 

[Whatever]

Row 1 on the ATR is an Exit Row/Extra Legroom Seat and available for purchase just like the exit rows on the other aircraft types.

 

[JohnK]

Row 1 vs Row 2 for a 45 minute flight? Do you seriously need to make a 9 paragraph post about this? I'm sorry but surely there's more important things in life to be concerned with.

And that concerned you enough to criticise my concern?

I have nothing better to do with my time if that is of any help....

 

[Aussie_flyer]

And that concerned you enough to criticise my concern?

I have nothing better to do with my time if that is of any help....

hmm, well you still seem to ignore the fact that row 15 is the first row in terms of where the boarding commences from.

 

[JohnK]

First of all - are you flying CNS-TSV on VA or QF? If VA will be ATR42, if QF it will be QF Link Dash 8. I will assume it is VA, as that is where the thread is actually located.

Hmmm. Well that explains the interesting seat allocation. I was under the impression it was an Embraer and the consultant and supervisor did not think either.

Other people have commented that with the VA ATR42's Row 15 is first off the plane as its a rear door aircraft, what is your VA seat allocation for the TSV-BNE leg?

The TSV-BNE leg is fine as I am in 1F.

 

[MH_fan]

If you are on an ATR72, I would definitely go for the last row! First on and off the plane AND it is very quiet at the back. It is my preference on this type of plane after having experienced it on both ends.

 

[eastwest101]

My apologies JohnK - if you are indeed booked on DJ1644 CNS-TSV then I am seeing it as an ATR72 so Row 1 is indeed the extra leg room (although last off the plane) and I can't see why they wouldn't allocate it to you, they may do so if you ask at check-in anyway. You are also correct in that Business class is not sold on the CNS-TSV ATR72 services, or any other ATR72 services that I am aware of. So I would agree that the Virgin call centre was not very helpful, or even knowledgeable about their own products. For what its worth the pricing on that flight is unusually high so may be pretty full.

What I suspect could be the case - not giving you a gold plated garrantee - and its just a guess - is that for weight and balance purposes on the ATR72, row 1 and 17 are not usually allocated to PAX at all - unless the flight is very full. Someone has probably instructed the call centre to tell enquiring PAX that row 1 is reserved for J class pax and VA Plats (even though its impossible to buy a J class ticket on ATR72 services). Unfortunately whomever did this did not anticipate an actual J-class passenger or an actual VA plat asking about these seats, in which case the excuse starts to look a bit silly/fabricated.

I have not asked myself - but have noticed Rex are very reluctant to allocate Row 1 in the Saab 340's as well, noting that the Saab 340 weight and balance would be different to the ATR72, not sure about QF Link Dash 8's. Maybe others would know.

 

[markis10]

My apologies JohnK - if you are indeed booked on DJ1644 CNS-TSV then I am seeing it as an ATR72 so Row 1 is indeed the extra leg room (although last off the plane) and I can't see why they wouldn't allocate it to you, they may do so if you ask at check-in anyway. You are also correct in that Business class is not sold on the CNS-TSV ATR72 services, or any other ATR72 services that I am aware of. So I would agree that the Virgin call centre was not very helpful, or even knowledgeable about their own products.

Row 1 is restricted sale and allocation, with only two seats available for sale, and all food and drink is free on the Skywest ATRs.

 

[JohnK]

If you are on an ATR72, I would definitely go for the last row! First on and off the plane AND it is very quiet at the back. It is my preference on this type of plane after having experienced it on both ends.

I have been in the last row before on a GLT-BNE flight and had the seat next to me blocked as a Platinum.

For some reason I saw row 15 as the middle of the aircraft and was a little disappointed. Interesting that both consultant and supervisor did not realise this was an ATR72.

Anyway all is good and I have a SYD-CNS and then CNS-TSV-BNE in business class for a little more than an economy class booking. If only the weather holds up for the golf and is not like Hervey Bay/Maryborough last weekend.

 

[JohnK]

What's the issue with row 15, you will be one of the first off the plane while Row 1 will be last.

Hmmm.

Row 17 will be first off and then row 16 and then row 15.

But it does not matter being the first off or the last off. I was pre-allocated a seat which happens to be 3rd row back. Only a ~45 minute flight anyway but that is not the point.

DYKWIA?

 

[JohnK]

And now when I go into booking I am in 17A and I cannot see seat map.

And what is worse my 1F TSV-BNE has also changed to 2A. Aircraft appears to have changed to E190 economy only aircraft.

Someone thinks they are doing me a favour changing my seat allocations. Not happy....

 

[serfty]

And now when I go into booking I am in 17A and I cannot see seat map.

And what is worse my 1F TSV-BNE has also changed to 2A. Aircraft appears to have changed to E190 economy only aircraft.

Someone thinks they are doing me a favour changing my seat allocations. Not happy....

Did you actually change or select / confirm the allocations you were given.

It has been noted on this forum that default allocations often do not stick - you need to actually select and maybe reselect seats for a much higher probability of retaining the allocation.

 

[JohnK]

Did you actually chage or select the allocations you were given.

Call centre had me in 2D for first flight CNS-TSV and I chose 1F for the TSV-BNE flight.

 

[pythonisman]

I find this interesting for seat allocation?

OOLSYD coming up in 2 weeks, I'm a Silver and have never been able to select rows 3-7 at T-14 days before (my flight up is 8A).
Interestingly this is the flight that will tick me over to coveted Gold status, but I thought I'd share cause I found it odd (don't mistake finding it odd for complaining, I'm not!)