My seat allocation was changed...

[tuapekastar]

A month or so ago I booked to fly AKL-MEL in April on QF134.

I was allocated 4D.

Noticed yesterday I've been shifted to 7C.

Not possible to now purchase a ticket other than J (not that I wish to), and seatcounter is all zeroes except for J9.

Also noticed it is operated by a 734. I thought it was originally a 738 but may have just assumed this, given it's been operated by 738 other times I've flown it.

The seatmap on CMT shows ~40 seats unallocated - I'm guessing they're the ones 'held' for the airport checkin to allocate?

Anyway, that's just background:

Just curious if this (having seat allocation changed) happens often, and why? Did I get bumped by someone with status? Would that someone have had to specifically request 4D (was it one of you ) or would the system just do it? Could an a/c sub have contributed?

I know QF do not guarantee seat allocation, so I cannot see that there would have been anything I could have done to preserve 4D (and why would I have assumed it would change anyway)?

It's no big deal, 7C will be fine, but I know 4aisle has a smidgin more room to stretch at least one leg out (on a 738, anyway) - which was why I was happy it was allocated in the first place.

Cheers

 

[straitman]

Just curious if this (having seat allocation changed) happens often, and why? Did I get bumped by someone with status? Would that someone have had to specifically request 4D (was it one of you ) or would the system just do it? Could an a/c sub have contributed?

Cheers

I believe that an aircraft substitution resets the allocations. I've had this and that was the explanation offered by QF.

 

[serfty]

I'm an expert on these having flow 737 on QF39/QF134/QF133/QF115/QF126/QF125 over 24 times in the last 18 months.

Aircraft change is the reason - 73H with 12 J seats to 734 with 16. WHY starts in rows 4 and 5 respectively.

I was in 4C 73H in late March and was bumped to 7C on 734; now in 11D (using WP exit row privileges).

My experience with these 737 trans Tasman is that those in premium rows 5 and back are left where they were with rows 4, 26-29 and any in the exit seats getting methodically reallocated through the cabin.

For changes the other way, other than exit rows, PAX are left where they were. I was actually in 5C on the above flight with a 734 when it was changed to a 73H. I saw a month ago this and reallocated to row 4. :-|

 

[tuapekastar]

Thanks guys...makes perfect sense. I didn't realise Jetconnect's 734s had 16 J seats.

From memory, there were precious few aisle seats previously available in the front half of the plane so guess I'm fortunate to have snagged 7C (it may have been the only one).