QF108 JFK-SYD PE Seating

[DavidMjps]

Hi
I've booked a flight for my son, using points, to fly JFK-SYD in Premium Economy on August 1.

When I look at ExpertFlyer it shows the PE seating as rows 29 and 30 with the seats in 2-3-2 arrangement and rows 34 and 35 with the seats in 2-4-2 arrangement (actually 2--2 for row 30)

This arrangement doesn't seem to correspond to any QF configuration that I can find. Could it mean that the plane being used is a 14P/66J/40W/187Y configuration but that the zone C (normally 14 Bus / 12 PE) is being used for PE?

If that's the case is there any recommended way to ask Qantas for one of the seats in the 2-3-2 (business) section?

Thanks
David

 

[MarcB]

I am booked to fly JFK-LAX on 28 July and my configuration is the same. In addition, some of the normal PE seating is being sold for economy - I am lucky enough to be in one of those.

As far as requesting a seat, if you are QF Silver or above, or QF Club, you should be able to log in to manage your booking and select seats. If not, seats 30D,E are the only ones showing in that Skybed section that are available - according to E/F. Just ring QF and request those seats specifically. I did that to get my PE seating at economy price and it was fine. They even unblocked a seat for me.

 

[serfty]

... I did that to get my PE seating at economy price and it was fine. They even unblocked a seat for me.

As an SG, I think you'll find you already could access that (Q-)blocked seating.

(For QF flights, shown as:

)

 

[MarcB]

As an SG, I think you'll find you already could access that (Q-)blocked seating.

(For QF flights, shown as:

)

Strangely, on the QF seat selection, I could only choose one seat 39B - with the window 39A being blocked. The consultant only had to unblock the 39A. But maybe her availability was different based on my status.

I did try today to get a couple of seats that are showing as

on QF15 in the PE cabin, but no go - they are bassinet positions though so maybe at the airport.

 

[JohnK]

Has anyone flown on this configuration in premium economy recently? Any thoughts on the seats at row 37,38 ABJK?

I still can't make up my mind on whether to give up currently pre-allocated WHY exit row seats for these seats in premium economy. Not too concerned with the premium economy service, I know these seats will only have WHY service on my flight, but rather the comfort of the seats and how personal space is affected if the person in front reclines.

 

[MarcB]

Has anyone flown on this configuration in premium economy recently? Any thoughts on the seats at row 37,38 ABJK?

I still can't make up my mind on whether to give up currently pre-allocated WHY exit row seats for these seats in premium economy. Not too concerned with the premium economy service, I know these seats will only have WHY service on my flight, but rather the comfort of the seats and how personal space is affected if the person in front reclines.

When are you travelling JohnK? I can report back post Friday on my experiences in 39A and B.

 

[JohnK]

That sounds great MarcB. I am travelling with my father on August 24 but need to decide on seating arrangements ASAP....

 

[MarcB]

That sounds great MarcB. I am travelling with my father on August 24 but need to decide on seating arrangements ASAP....

No problems JohnK. Please bear with me if I don't post immediately. I'll do my best to post ASAP on my arrival into NYC.

 

[Mal]

Has anyone flown on this configuration in premium economy recently? Any thoughts on the seats at row 37,38 ABJK?

In PE, if the person in front decides to recline all the way, then it will make getting past someone difficult. Leg room isn't really affected by a recliner though from my experience. As the tray tables are in the arm rests, then the tray tables aren't affected by a recliner either. The seats are wider and more pitch than economy, but I'm not sure what would be better - PE or Emergency Exit... my preference would be for PE (mainly for the width), but Emergency Exits will always have more leg room.

 

[JohnK]

Appreciate any feedback MarcB.

In PE, if the person in front decides to recline all the way, then it will make getting past someone difficult. Leg room isn't really affected by a recliner though from my experience. As the tray tables are in the arm rests, then the tray tables aren't affected by a recliner either.

I should have realised the IFE and tray tables are in the arm rest so I can sit normally and not worry about the seat in front. I was specifically looking at the 2 seats on the window side as it will be my father and I sitting together with him in the window seat.

This should really be an easy decision but for some reason I am reluctant to make the change.

 

[MarcB]

This should really be an easy decision but for some reason I am reluctant to make the change.

I know what you mean JohnK - I ummmed and ahhed about the possibility of an UPG to PE in Skybeds from "O" class. Then I thought about the fact that QF are unlikely to do this again so I should just take it while it's offered.

The only thing I would say about the PE seats on LAXJFK are that the 2-4-2 configuration means you will not be sitting next to a stranger. This alone might be worth the legroom loss. Plus greater recline, in-seat power etc.

I will still keep you posted though on my experiences.

 

[MarcB]

JohnK...firstly, my apologies for not posting sooner about my experiences in the PE seating with economy service. I actually managed to get an exit row, so I can't comment directly on the experience of recline issues, but certainly the PE seats are wider and recline further - and I didn't appear to be disturbing the person behind me. Plus, as the entertainment screens and trays are in the armrest, the usual recline issues are much better. If you can make the switch to a PE seat, I would recommend it. Check the Select My Seats a few days before. I did this and was able to select the exit row which became available just before online checkin started. Just a note, you won't get the QF issued noise canceling headsets...unless you manage to sweet talk the hostess like we did - no harm in asking!

 

[Flashback]

JohnK...firstly, my apologies for not posting sooner about my experiences in the PE seating with economy service. I actually managed to get an exit row, so I can't comment directly on the experience of recline issues, but certainly the PE seats are wider and recline further - and I didn't appear to be disturbing the person behind me. Plus, as the entertainment screens and trays are in the armrest, the usual recline issues are much better. If you can make the switch to a PE seat, I would recommend it. Check the Select My Seats a few days before. I did this and was able to select the exit row which became available just before online checkin started. Just a note, you won't get the QF issued noise canceling headsets...unless you manage to sweet talk the hostess like we did - no harm in asking!

Being a WP he has a good chance in getting the NC headphones although, this is JohnK we are talking about here

 

[JohnK]

JohnK...firstly, my apologies for not posting sooner about my experiences in the PE seating with economy service.

Thanks for the review. Unfortunately I panicked and selected the Premium Economy seats last week anyway. I managed to pre-allocate 37AB (only 38AB and 39B remain unallocated now), row behind exit row, and if it is as good as you mention then the priority to get exit row is not that high. I will try to get exit row, free of charge off course, but I have never been given the option on QF to pre-allocate exit row even on domestic flights.

Being a WP he has a good chance in getting the NC headphones although, this is JohnK we are talking about here

Do You Know Who I Am? Seriously the noise cancelling headphones would be nice but not a must. If I happen to get a special greeting as a Platinum, does not happen all the time, I will ask for noise cancelling headphones....

 

[NM]

Do You Know Who I Am? Seriously the noise cancelling headphones would be nice but not a must. If I happen to get a special greeting as a Platinum, does not happen all the time, I will ask for noise cancelling headphones....

On my last QF international flight in Y, when greeted by the CSD and asked if there was anything he could do for me, I went straight for "a nice glass of scotch would be great". I can make do with regular headphone, but the Y scotch I cannot drink. A few mins later he returned with a plastic Y cup almost filled with Glenlivet from up front . That helped the Y journey more than NC headphones would have .

 

[JohnK]

On my last QF international flight in Y, when greeted by the CSD and asked if there was anything he could do for me, I went straight for "a nice glass of scotch would be great". I can make do with regular headphone, but the Y scotch I cannot drink.

One of the reasons I switched to Vodka. I can't taste it but it has the desired effect.