Non-reclining J seat: what compo should I ask for?

[whughes3]

Yesterday 27/8 on QF19 SYD-MNL travelling in J on a 333, I made the unpleasant discovery after takeoff that my seat (1A) was stuck in the fully upright position and all the FA's best efforts would not shift it. J was full, so I could not be moved, and spent the whole 8 hour (daytime) flight fully upright. This was on a fairly expensive paid fare so I am more than a little miffed; what do people think should be asking for as compo?

 

[justinbrett]

Yesterday 27/8 on QF19 SYD-MNL travelling in J on a 333, I made the unpleasant discovery after takeoff that my seat (1A) was stuck in the fully upright position and all the FA's best efforts would not shift it. J was full, so I could not be moved, and spent the whole 8 hour (daytime) flight fully upright. This was on a fairly expensive paid fare so I am more than a little miffed; what do people think should be asking for as compo?

Because of stories like this I always make a point now to test the recline as soon as I get to my seat.

Here's a thread which might give you some idea. Have a think about it carefully before you suggest or agree to a figure (or points).

W

Thread 'What is reasonable compensation for a broken Qantas seat?'

Jul 3, 2019

Hi,

What is a fair amount of compensation for the following?

I flew from Melbourne to Bali via Sydney return on a Airbus A330. I paid full fare for my seat.

Going over had no issues.

On the way back as I was at the gate I was told by a member of staff as they were checking my ticket that the business seat couldn't be reclined automatically, it would have to be manually moved by a staff member. Annoying but if the seat goes flat I don't really care. CSM was helpful but said it was a booked out flight and they couldn't move me to an operating seat.

I am sitting in my fully upright seat...

• wannabe_wp
• complaints & resolution
• Replies: 9
• Forum: Qantas | Frequent Flyer

 

[elanshin]

Yesterday 27/8 on QF19 SYD-MNL travelling in J on a 333, I made the unpleasant discovery after takeoff that my seat (1A) was stuck in the fully upright position and all the FA's best efforts would not shift it. J was full, so I could not be moved, and spent the whole 8 hour (daytime) flight fully upright. This was on a fairly expensive paid fare so I am more than a little miffed; what do people think should be asking for as compo?

I got a $400 voucher and my full upgrade points refunded on QF2 last time. I think the ground staff offered 75% refund before realising I was an upgrade.

But I was on the ground when I discovered the problem and it was the Singapore station manager that provided the offer, so not sure how indicative it would be of normal offers.

 

[whughes3]

Because of stories like this I always make a point now to test the recline as soon as I get to my seat.

Here's a thread which might give you some idea. Have a think about it carefully before you suggest or agree to a figure (or points).

W

Thread 'What is reasonable compensation for a broken Qantas seat?'

Jul 3, 2019

Hi,

What is a fair amount of compensation for the following?

I flew from Melbourne to Bali via Sydney return on a Airbus A330. I paid full fare for my seat.

Going over had no issues.

On the way back as I was at the gate I was told by a member of staff as they were checking my ticket that the business seat couldn't be reclined automatically, it would have to be manually moved by a staff member. Annoying but if the seat goes flat I don't really care. CSM was helpful but said it was a booked out flight and they couldn't move me to an operating seat.

I am sitting in my fully upright seat...

• wannabe_wp
• complaints & resolution
• Replies: 9
• Forum: Qantas | Frequent Flyer

Indeed, I SHOULD have checked the seat before takeoff, but after very many fairly trouble-free similar flights I have been getting a bit complacent.

 

[opusman]

I got 10K for non-functioning IFE in J recently, would not have accepted less than 30K for non-functioning seat.

 

[AIRwin]

Because of stories like this I always make a point now to test the recline as soon as I get to my seat.

But what if all other seats have already been allocated?

 

[justinbrett]

But what if all other seats have already been allocated?

At least you have options. Including getting off and being rebooked on a later flight. Or engineering coming onboard (I've seen that quite a few times).

Or if someone is on a non-rev ticket they might get bumped. I think once the doors are closed, the options are very limited.

 

[AIRwin]

At least you have options. Including getting off and being rebooked on a later flight. Or engineering coming onboard (I've seen that quite a few times).

Or if someone is on a non-rev ticket they might get bumped. I think once the doors are closed, the options are very limited.

You need to add this here if you haven't already:

Thread 'What's your golden travel rule?'

Jun 21, 2025

Do you have a golden rule that you always apply to your travels? If so, what is it?

• Mattg
• Replies: 280
• Forum: Open Discussion

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