Seat select fees

[Lord Mud]

Please forgive me if this is a previously answered issue but...

I've noticed that SGs are being gouged for seat selection in forward cabins for window side seats.
As a primarily domestic flyer I'm used to bring locked out of the front rows (4-8) in Y. But my recent bookings on QF Int are showing me needing to pay more $$ to get a window in the forward cabin in Y. Although I can select all the way to the front in the middle section. I notice this is a recent change. Is it last of the changes announced? If so when?

I am confused as I should have thought the Econ + seating apply across a row. Not just on the sides.

Im currently sitting on a very old 330-200 leaving SIN and I couldn't justify spending $$ to buy a front cabin window seat i have been selecting on every trip previously for free. I am just lucky I selected it months ago when I bought the tickets but was wary of changing the last few days as it was asking for more $$ to go a row forward or two.

 

[oz_mark]

There were changes in February as part of the rollout of Economy Plus. Basically the front half of the 737 cabin is Plus or Forward

Thread 'Qantas Economy Plus Launching Feb 2026'

Nov 7, 2025

Just got an email about Qantas Economy Plus due to launch next year…

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/seat-selection/qantas-economy-plus.html

Say hello to Qantas Economy Plus, our new seating option designed to give you more comfort and more choice when booking in Economy.

Landing from February 2026, Qantas Economy Plus will initially be available on our B737, A220 and A321XLR fleets, on flights across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

You’ll be able to purchase a Qantas Economy Plus seat during booking, or at any time prior to check in.

Qantas...

• DejaBrew
• Replies: 553
• Forum: Qantas | Frequent Flyer

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[Lord Mud]

Yeah I get that. But the way it is being rolled out on A330s is that Golds get free seat selection everywhere except Windows side seats in the fwd cabin. See below HKG-MEL for June

I just thought this was odd. There are no plus on this flight. But Golds can't select outside of centre section in fwd cabin

 

[Seat0B]

It does seem a bit odd. Maybe worth calling QF and asking if its an IT problem or an actual situation. I know I have had a few times where it simply refused to let me select any seat at all - and this was in paid J as a WP... might be worth the call.

 

[oz_mark]

I guess there are forward seats, and there are forward seats

https://www.qantas.com/en-au/onboard/seat-selection

Forward Seats are complimentary for Platinum One and Platinum members. Gold and Silver members also receive complimentary access to Forward Seats, with some options available at booking, and others from 24 hours before flight departure, subject to availability.

 

[Daver6]

Yeah I get that. But the way it is being rolled out on A330s is that Golds get free seat selection everywhere except Windows side seats in the fwd cabin. See below HKG-MEL for JuneView attachment 500043

I just thought this was odd. There are no plus on this flight. But Golds can't select outside of centre section in fwd cabin

What's crazy about this is as an aisle guy, I'd select 24D over 24B any day of the week. Much more likely to have a free seat in 24E than 24A

 

[oz_mark]

What's crazy about this is as an aisle guy, I'd select 24D over 24B any day of the week. Much more likely to have a free seat in 24E than 24A

I've come around to this way of selecting seats as well !