Row 4 seating on 737/800

[CamTheSnapper]

After learning about the T-80 system for seat allocation (row 4 on 738) I thought I'd pay special attention today to the passengers in row 4. I checked seating from booking 5 days ago right through to a few hours before my flight and row 4 and 5 were completely 'greyed' out. I asked on check-in this morning and best I could get was 5D with 5E blocked out. Row 4 was gone, nothing available.

So I was a bit surprised to see only 4A,4C and 4F filled. I kept an eye on the pax and spotted a no status take 4A and a silver status boarding pass in the seat pocket of 4C. Didn't see 4F.

What gives here? Is it possible that these people are family/friends of staff and row 4 is getting blocked for them? I can't figure out why this is happening.

Oh, and if you're wondering why I'm so interested in row 4 - I'm 6'5".

Cheers!

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[SeatBackForward]

I think QF is making a concerted effort at improving "enhancing" the experience for WP and P1 passengers (throw in CL too). As I posted on another thread last week. I was on a SYD>PER flight in row 27 on the A330, and the Attendant was saying its complimentary beers and wines for passengers in rows upto 27, the rest have to pay.

My take is that they are keeping the front rows for the higher status pax, even if it means the seats are empty (which I don't think is a good idea)

 

[CamTheSnapper]

But as I was saying, I'm WP and the seats showed as unavailable the whole time and the pax in the seats were Silver and no status.


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[SeatBackForward]

But as I was saying, I'm WP and the seats showed as unavailable the whole time and the pax in the seats were Silver and no status.


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What was the fare code of the ticket you bought?

 

[serfty]

But as I was saying, I'm WP and the seats showed as unavailable the whole time and the pax in the seats were Silver and no status.

...

Did you ask in the Business Lounge?

 

[mannej]

A few of the insiders here have highlighted that there are reasons outside of T-80 on why these passengers can end up in these "prized" seats.

FWIW, they may have been booked with a high status member and therefore have always been in those seats. As you only booked 5 days out these seats may have been long gone.

The whole putting family and friends into seats is a bit presumptious IMO

 

[samh004]

A few of the insiders here have highlighted that there are reasons outside of T-80 on why these passengers can end up in these "prized" seats.

The original occupiers of those seats may have upgraded to J and the seats were filled at the last minute with newcomers. That's my theory.




 

[mannej]

The original occupiers of those seats may have upgraded to J and the seats were filled at the last minute with newcomers. That's my theory.




Indeed another possibility to add to the mix.

 

[serfty]

I start at around T-80 and If I can't get the seat type I am after, I often keep checking right up until leaving the lounge to go to the gate. This on Qantas.com (you can reselect seats even after checking in up until about an hour before the flight) and the use of tools like Expert Flyer or KVS..

 

[CamTheSnapper]

What was the fare code of the ticket you bought?

I was on a K fare



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[CamTheSnapper]

Did you ask in the Business Lounge?

No I didn't, no J lounge in TSV and I didn't want to push the point after just checking in outside.

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[serfty]

No I didn't, no J lounge in TSV and I didn't want to push the point after just checking in outside. ...

Fair enough - as I indicated I do not give up - as posted upthread you can reselect seats on Qantas.com even after checking in. (You get a new BP at the gate on boarding if they can't give you one at the lounge.)

If you want that row 4 seat - keep checking ... should one of those desired seats become free you need to snaffle it before an agent donates it to someone else.

 

[CamTheSnapper]

Fair enough - as I indicated I do not give up - as posted upthread you can reselect seats on Qantas.com even after checking in. (You get a new BP at the gate.)

Thanks for the tip, will give it a try..

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[ozmille]

does anybody know when row opens up for non status pax? Myself and SWMBO are in row 4 to AKL but am trying to get my friends in row 4 as well. Verry light load but they can't get past row 6 at the moment.

*edit*
OLCI is open btw

 

[Chris82]

Edited post.

 

[simongr]

does anybody know when row opens up for non status pax? Myself and SWMBO are in row 4 to AKL but am trying to get my friends in row 4 as well. Verry light load but they can't get past row 6 at the moment.

*edit*
OLCI is open btw

I don't know if it is opened for non-status until very late.

I upgraded to J and released row 4 (might have been 5 or 6 even) ex-ADL and asked if my PS colleague could take my seat. I was told at that point NO! It had to be held for status pax.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

A friend of mine works for Qantas and has often shifted me into Row 4 or an exit seat a day or so before a flight. Seems they have god-like powers of seating allocation.

I wouldn't mention your friend's name on any public forum or they might be needing to send their resume to Virgin or Tiger very soon afterwards. That was a serious no-no when I worked at The Roo.

 

[TheInsider]

I wouldn't mention your friend's name on any public forum or they might be needing to send their resume to Virgin or Tiger very soon afterwards. That was a serious no-no when I worked at The Roo.

Still a very big no no at the moment, if the seat map shows an 'R' we cannot touch it.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Still a very big no no at the moment, if the seat map shows an 'R' we cannot touch it.

... and I'm harking back to the days of QUBE.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Still a very big no no at the moment, if the seat map shows an 'R' we cannot touch it.

but it is touched all the time. Soo soo many of my flights I end up with a low status person next to me despite plenty of other empty seats.

It's airport staff playing god.