Seat Selection Blocked due to Bassinet

[Mrmaxwell]

I've had a few issues lately where international long haul QF flights have been fully booked and the only available seats (Y+ / J) have been bulkhead bassinet seats and 1 or 2 centre seats.

I am told on a regular basis these seats are blocked until airport check in opens and cannot be released prior. I have observed several times however these seats eventually taken and not a baby in sight. I understand these seats get released eventually but there is no definite process when this occurs.

Due to my work I book last minute so don't always have the luxury of advanced seat selection months out using my WP status.

Calling QF seems to get the same result - cannot allocate the premium bulkhead row as it is reserved for an imaginary baby that may or may not book within the next few days and thus you have to play seat lotto and nab your seat at any random time these seats will be released.

Discuss

PS. I am not 'anti-baby' and understand a mothers special requirements - I am anti-imaginary baby!

 

[JohnK]

Hang up and try again? "Please allocate me one of these seats and Im prepared to move if bassinet needed for baby".

 

[33kft]

The seats are generally held for the highest ranking QFF members with infants I believe, and this is probably only apparent to QF on the day. Thankfully we are past the age where we would need to use one, but when we did previously I was never given confirmation over the phone that we would have the seat and we'd have to reserve a different set of seats and then find out at the airport if we were successful. Which I guess then frees up some other seats that need to be filled, so in reality I think it would suit the airline just fine if you were prepared to hold off on a seat reservation and then take the bulkhead if available. If they have to move you and then put someone in your existing seat, maybe not so much.

So that could be an approach? Don't select a seat and offer that you'd take the bulkhead if nobody checks in with an infant or get assigned a seat at the gate? That might lead to some sh*tty middle seat assignment surprises, though.

 

[DC3]

… or just remind them that you are WP.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

I had to HUACA and then ask for a supervisor in this instance.

Finally got done after much persuasion with several ‘we simply don’t have access to do that’ and ‘we never allocate those seats before the day of the flight’ yet it was done. Why so much effort? QF would know if an infant had booked the flight, and expertflyer was showing only 1 seat left.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Calling QF seems to get the same result - cannot allocate the premium bulkhead row as it is reserved for an imaginary baby that may or may not book within the next few days and thus you have to play seat lotto and nab your seat at any random time these seats will be released.

Discuss

PS. I am not 'anti-baby' and understand a mothers special requirements - I am anti-imaginary baby!

And I'm pretty sure we've read elsewhere on AFF that parents with infants - actual ones - are told 'sorry, bassinets are blocked'.

Just wait till they introduce charging for those seats. I bet the requirement to have an infant goes out the window. Like safety at exit rows.

 

[blackcat20]

And I'm pretty sure we've read elsewhere on AFF that parents with infants - actual ones - are told 'sorry, bassinets are blocked'.

Just wait till they introduce charging for those seats. I bet the requirement to have an infant goes out the window. Like safety at exit rows.

Indeed, trying to get a bassinet on QF F and no joy so far.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Indeed, trying to get a bassinet on QF F and no joy so far.

With or without an infant?

 

[blackcat20]

With or without an infant?

We’re travelling with an infant.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

We’re travelling with an infant.

So I can’t get a bassinet seat because I am not travelling with an infant and you can’t because you are?

What is the reason being given?

 

[TomVexille]

So I can’t get a bassinet seat because I am not travelling with an infant and you can’t because you are?

What is the reason being given?

That the bassinet is a request and can only be confirmed at the airport

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I've had the opposite case - travelling with an infant and kicked out of the bassinet so that a WP could have the bulkhead.

You can also try making the booking with an infant on your ticket. On some airlines, it will open up the ENTIRE seat map for selection (minus exit rows) at no cost. In some circumstances, it can be cheaper to add an infant to your booking than being a solo traveller (as an infant addon ticket can unlock special or lower RBDs).

Oops?

 

[defurax]

… or just remind them that you are WP.

Last time I called to select seats on QF12 (JFK-SYD) because it can't be done online, I was told that I could not select a seat in row 32 or 33 because of my low status...when I said I always get access to these rows I was reminded that in QFF hierarchy WP are only 4th in line...(CL PO, CL, WP1). Made me feel that WP really means nothing to QF!!!

 

[Falcs]

I've had mixed results (with a real infant) - been told that it can only be "requested" prior and will be confirmed at airport, and have also been allocated the bassinet via call center in advance.

On the flip side the bassinet seat has been booked out on a VA flight I have booked and they've told me they won't boot out the whoever has pre selected the seat (I have an infant and they don't)

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Obviously no efficient process here from QF...depends on who you speak to and what happens on day of check in!

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Had to argue at F check in today for a vacant bulkhead (bassinet) seat two hours before international departure time. Was told seats are blocked in case a mother and baby turn up, even though everyone was checked in.

“You’ll need to escalate to a supervisor”

Such great service at F. Talking to me like I’m a child and have never flown before.

The supervisor allocated the seat telling me if a baby shows up I’ll be moved. No issue with that...why not allocate to me weeks ago with the same condition?

Seat map...

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Latest flight on 744 in premium Y; QF call centre refused to allocate prior to check in. Check in at SCL also refused to allocate. Called QF while standing at check in, escalated and was allocated.

I guess both bulk head seats were going to be free all flight - no babies in sight. Not sure why these seats must stay free when cabin is full?

Now trying to work out premium Y on 787 (first QF 787 flight) all seats in row 20 are blocked however it seems one window seat has been allocated.