OK after the last day or two of posts on this issue and trying to take the emotion out of it (because some of it, fair dinkum, has my eyes rolling - all 4 of them) I want to distill the FACTS as I understand them.
The contention that the 744 Y product is inferior to the A380 Y product is more an issue of that the OP had originally selected A380 upper deck BULKHEAD seat, which is a specific seat and I definitely agree that a bulkhead seat is somewhat different to a regular Y seat on any aircraft. Upper deck on the 380 vs lower on the 747.. yes Y is so much smaller on the 380 upstairs and that would be a much nicer experience for sure but in the eyes of most (not the OP perhaps) a bulkhead in Y on the 744 is probably pretty similar to a bulkhead in Y on the 380. Yes?
Seems to me the core of the issue (totally WITHOUT trying to speak for or on behalf of anyone else, but just as I read it) is:
- an aircraft sub meant the pax lost their preassigned bulkhead seat
- the pax noted the a/c change of his own accord before the P1 SST were made aware of it through internal processes
- the pax, at first, emailed the SST to enquire if all was OK with the flight. With the info they had to hand *at that time* they replied yes, still a 380.
- some time later, pax phoned SST noting the change and seat change. SST were still not aware, but once onto it helped the pax to make "the best of bad choices" to move to row 43. (and pax was later upgraded to Premium Economy)
- near as I can tell 43 on the (3 class) 744 is a bulkhead row too, but downstairs (my experience of QF 744 Y is very limited so I am reading the seat map)
now, from my reading of all the OP's posts on the thread I am not certain if he was offered a move to, for example, QF93 via MEL or another day, or if that schedule even worked for him, once he contacted the SST.
The "fail" here seems to be in 2 main places:
1. the late, unscheduled, aircraft sub was made and QF's internal processes did not work seemlessly and thus SST had no visibility of the sub until the pax himself informed them.
2. That the way it was handled post SST being informed was not acceptable to the pax, but he made do with the best of bad situation and flew the flight, with the helpful intevention of QF SYD F / lounge staff helping to resolve the issue with a courtesy upgrade.
As much as I read all the issues raised about if the SST should have known to call proactively that the pax would be upset with a sub of a/c, or that a block was put in, then taken away, then put in again (etc) and all that I submit that as an irrop all the normal "rules" tend to go out the door despite best intentions. For example, the seat block is a courtesy and not a definied entitlement. In a situation like this when the aircraft is subbed and pax are displaced and agents are looking for seats, then blocks will almost certainly go away under airport control. Or, with the SST not being proactive is because they seemingly didn't know about the issue until informed.
So the core here, for me (and I know, I am NOT the OP) is:
- bulkhead Y seat moved to normal Y seat is unacceptable (I agree)
- follow up once aware from SST to a P1 pax given there may have only been a small number on board was, apparently, poor (though it is unclear what may or may not have taken place behind the scenes).
I'm only making this post to try and clear through some of the extra stuff and try and distil the issues as best I can. I'm NOT trying to step on anyone's feet or offend anyone (most specially the OP!) and am happy to be corrected (politely, please).
I've been in a number of irrops situations on a number of different airlines. Some handle them quite well, others have been shocking, and I bet you some airlines, depending on the specific situation, can handle one really well and terribly at another time.
And yes, I've flown QF transpac quite a number of times, but luckily have not had an aircraft sub such as this affect me. touch wood
PERSONAL OPINION ONLY: If it were me in this situation I would *hope* for an equivalent seat to the one I had booked be available (eg: bulkhead for bulkhead, exit for exit). However I'd also understand the priority of the airline is to keep to the schedule and get as many pax booked on that flight there as soon as possible and sometimes Stuff happens. I'd also hope as a P1 that if possible an upgraded seat (be it, for example, bulkhead to exit row, or to a higher CoS) be made available, but I'd hardly expect it given the situation. I think flexibility and understanding in unusual and unplanned situations can go a long way - on both sides of the equation. My 2 cents only.
