QF Seat Selection Block

[michaele]

Hi,

I have a flight SYD-BNE on Sunday - and went to select a seat and noticed that while row 4 was still blocked for P1 (confirmed in EF) I could select row 5 (as a WP). Historically I have only been able to select row 6 until closer to checkin. A few thoughts:

• It was earlier this morning - pretty close to T-80 - although usually closer to the flight I can select row 4
• Does being a Sunday mean less likelihood of status flyers so they dont have the same seat blocks in place
• It was paid Y Flex - if that could possibly have any impact.

Not hugely consequential but interesting none the less. Anyone else experienced this?

 

[Mattg]

It is possible that some seats will still be blocked after T-80, but keep an eye on it - row 4 may become available tomorrow or if not then when online check-in opens. I'd say that being WP and holding a flex Y ticket wouldn't hurt, but after T-80 I'm not sure it makes much of a difference to be honest.

 

[serfty]

The "T-80" release can happen later than that occasionally.

With row 5 available I suspect the release had happened but with previously selected seats combined with notional seating, available up front choices are limited.

Keep looking - it's a dynamic situation and often some of those in row 4 currently will move to other flights.

 

[Aus ATC]

I really do miss the opening up of Row 4 for WPs at T-80. That is a real erosion of WP benefits since WP1 took over.

 

[eminere]

I really do miss the opening up of Row 4 for WPs at T-80. That is a real erosion of WP benefits since WP1 took over.

What do you mean? At T-80 row 4 is supposed to open up for everybody. That's how I've been able to select 4A as Gold.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Row 4 pax have a high failure to board rate as well. Changed plans feature more highly which often creates spare seats at the last minute post selection

 

[eric2011]

What do you mean? At T-80 row 4 is supposed to open up for everybody. That's how I've been able to select 4A as Gold.

+1 My flight today to TSV is an example

 

[blackcat20]

What do you mean? At T-80 row 4 is supposed to open up for everybody. That's how I've been able to select 4A as Gold.

Not always; Ive seen seats open and close and open again after T-80.

 

[serfty]

Not always; Ive seen seats open and close and open again after T-80.

Things change and can change often; moreso 1 to 3 hours before the flight. As I posted upthread:

...
Keep looking - it's a dynamic situation and often some of those in row 4 currently will move to other flights.

My latest one was in the MEL Dom J lounge and I approached the service desk to get a new BP printed row 4 BP at T-00:35 as I had just moved from row 5.

Also note, that CL/WP may have already filled up row 4/5 seating in the weeks/months prior to T-80.

Morover, the lower your PCV for the flight the less chance these desirable seats will be offered, even if not allocated. So there's a chance these seats will never become available.

ExpertFlyer can be useful for a better overview.

 

[RichardMEL]

You'd expect the chances of churn/change close in would be far higher on busy business routes, such as the MEL/SYD/BNE triangle and similar, and far less on more leisure routes eg to/from OOL/CNS and so on, and outside of peak travel times.

 

[JohnK]

I really do miss the opening up of Row 4 for WPs at T-80. That is a real erosion of WP benefits since WP1 took over.

I can generally get row 4D aisle at T-80 hours or a few minutes later ~80%-90% of the time. There are times when row 4 aisle does not open up. I suspect due to Platinum One already pre-allocated these seats.

 

[Pushka]

Partner hates row 4 because it seems everyone bumps into that seat when boarding. He sticks to row 6/7 which are often just occupied by 2 pax with a shadow. (That I can see when I am on a separate PNR and can't sit next to him).

 

[JohnK]

Partner hates row 4 because it seems everyone bumps into that seat when boarding.

Not if you are the last to board.

 

[Pushka]

Not if you are the last to board.

Well yes, but people these days shove their gear into the first overhead lockers in Y then proceed to walk to their row 999 seats. Damn annoying not to have space when you board.

 

[JohnK]

Well yes, but people these days shove their gear into the first overhead lockers in Y then proceed to walk to their row 999 seats. Damn annoying not to have space when you board.

That's where checked luggage comes in handy.

 

[Pushka]

That's where checked luggage comes in handy.

Not for laptops and business travel.

 

[JohnK]

Not for laptops and business travel.

Why not? I never have a issue storing huge laptop bag near me in row 4. And if that's an issue then choose row 5 as laptop bag fits under seat. I am sure the 5-10 minutes waiting for checked luggage is not missing critical unless you need to catch last Airtain of the night.

 

[downgraded]

Perhaps QF needs to offer an SLA on bag delivery time to encourage a reduction in oversized hand luggage - or just enforce it's own stated policy on size and make it simpler and fairer for all - even our pilot noted on a flight last week it was impossible to board the plane in a timely manner because of the problems of stowing hand luggage.

 

[downgraded]

Ring QF, link your bookings and ask for seats together?
On the subject of shadows I've wondered - are they managed manually (i assumed so)? If you change seat selection how pro-actively are shadows updated?