Jetstar's seat free-for-all ends

[Yada Yada]

Seat free-for-all ends

John Masanauskas, aviation reporter
October 04, 2006 12:00am

DOMESTIC passengers on no-frills airline Jetstar will have allocated seating from today. The Qantas subsidiary has ditched its free-for-all seating policy on domestic flights after a backlash from passengers.

Jetstar was due to introduce allocated seating from October 29 but has brought it forward after changing its booking system earlier than expected. Customers can now choose their seat when booking on the airline's website or by phone.

Jetstar was the first Australian carrier with free-for-all seating -- an idea copied from overseas low-cost airlines.

Jetstar chief executive Alan Joyce said yesterday that the new seating policy wouldn't lead to higher fares.

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This is great news and IMO brings JQ up to a standard that will be much more palatable for many travellers.

 

[JohnK]

Jetstar chief executive Allan Joyce said yesterday that the new seating policy wouldn't lead to higher fares.

I guess there will be an adjustment soon to cover for the implementation of allocated seats!

 

[Mal]

I guess there will be an adjustment soon to cover for the implementation of allocated seats!

Seat Allocation surcharge? -- Never! Airlines wouldn't implement surcharges for operational costs!

 

[oz_mark]

Seat Allocation surcharge? -- Never! Airlines wouldn't implement surcharges for operational costs!

...or try to fob it off as a tax.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I guess there will be an adjustment soon to cover for the implementation of allocated seats!

Not at all. However if you wish to pre-select a seat then there will be a charge.

Disclaimer - charge may vary according to type of seat selected.

 

[simongr]

Maybe they will start to charge a fee to access the OLCI/seat allocation web interface - it's what I would do

 

[SeatBackForward]

Not at all. However if you wish to pre-select a seat then there will be a charge.

Disclaimer - charge may vary according to type of seat selected.

IF..If????? oh you mean one of those choices which isn't actually a choice but more of a rhetorical choice?

I'm much more into giving rhetorical answers myself.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

IF..If????? oh you mean one of those choices which isn't actually a choice but more of a rhetorical choice?

Of course there is a choice. You can choose not to pre-select a seat. And see which middle seat towards the back you end up with.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Of course there is a choice. You can choose not to pre-select a seat. And see which middle seat towards the back you end up with.

Wingtips' my bet.

 

[Altair]

Wingtips' my bet.

Could you imagine the seat belt required for that? It would be more than the new Cathay ones....of course where would you store your carry-on?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

For a nominal fee they'll allow you to check that extra bag.

 

[NM]

Could you imagine the seat belt required for that? It would be more than the new Cathay ones....of course where would you store your carry-on?

No problem with recliners in front of you. But pointing that large air-vent nozzle in the right direction may take some effort .

 

[SeatBackForward]

No problem with recliners in front of you. But pointing that large air-vent nozzle in the right direction may take some effort .

Beers would finally be served cold though.

 

[Commuter]

They allocated seating on my flight (2nd ever Jetstar flight for me...) last Friday. They were still using those silly 'boarding by the colour' though, and screwed up my colour (I was on Jetflex, so I should have been given an orange one, but they gave me a blue one).

 

[Altair]

No problem with recliners in front of you. But pointing that large air-vent nozzle in the right direction may take some effort .

I do not think they would be required, a windcheater or blanket (additional charge) maybe :shock: .
Oh do you think the noise isolating in-ear phones would have a long enough lead or even be effective at all
The best point though is that you would not have to appear through those dirty windows to have a good view.:mrgreen:

 

[Dave Noble]

They allocated seating on my flight (2nd ever Jetstar flight for me...) last Friday. They were still using those silly 'boarding by the colour' though, and screwed up my colour (I was on Jetflex, so I should have been given an orange one, but they gave me a blue one).

Does it make any odds andy more what colour you have now that it is using allocated seating?

Dave

 

[drron]

They allocated seating on my flight (2nd ever Jetstar flight for me...) last Friday. They were still using those silly 'boarding by the colour' though, and screwed up my colour (I was on Jetflex, so I should have been given an orange one, but they gave me a blue one).

Has never worried me what colour the boarding pass is.I can do a very good limp and the grey hair doesnt hurt so always go on in first group.That was until I gave up using deathstar.

 

[NM]

Does it make any odds andy more what colour you have now that it is using allocated seating?

Dave

I think I would rather have a blue one in preference to a bright orange one :shock:

 

[Altair]

No problem with recliners in front of you.

I missed this, but the two Jetstar flights I had had no recline installed. So they conviently have addressed this issue and provided this customer service at no extra charge!

 

[Philip76]

Interestingly, if I want to fly from Melbourne to Newcastle on the 7th of July next year (a random date I picked), there are no exit row seats available. Isn't that funny...