Seat selection not available…but it was a few hours ago?!

[Starlight15]

I am a lowly bronze qantas frequent flyer, fly economy but still love a good seat if I can get it. Flying Aus to Japan in less than 3 days. Logged in today for t-80, all good no dramas. Selected some strategic seats, confirmed the change. Out of pure curiousity, to see if anyone updated and was sitting next to me…I logged back in about 6 hours later and it says seat selection is not available for this flight. And only option was preferred aisle/window option.
I did a dummy new booking for that same flight and again no seat selection available, only preferred aisle/window option.
Earlier today there must have been over 30 seats available, so I don’t think it would have booked up in 6hrs since I last logged in?? Any other reason? definitely in the t-80 timeframe and surely 30 people booking in a few short hours so close to flight doesn’t seem realistic (tickets are expensive!). Anyone else know what the go is here?
Note: I do have “confirmed” seats

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi and welcome to AFF.

It’s quite possible what you describe. T-80 has been mentioned in several blogs and other sources, so it’s possible enough people went on to select their seats!

It may be for higher status they still have some seats reserved from which they can choose, even though bronze doesn’t.

Once seat allocation is exhausted by status allocation, you’ll get the ‘window or aisle’ message.

 

[Starlight15]

Hi and welcome to AFF.

It’s quite possible what you describe. T-80 has been mentioned in several blogs and other sources, so it’s possible enough people went on to select their seats!

It may be for higher status they still have some seats reserved from which they can choose, even though bronze doesn’t.

Once seat allocation is exhausted by status allocation, you’ll get the ‘window or aisle’ message.

Thanks for the explanation! I cannot see the seat map anymore, do you know if closer to flight I’ll regain visibility? Just want to mentally prepare myself for having someone next to me…or not! (Knowing full well it’s not over until doors close)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for the explanation! I cannot see the seat map anymore, do you know if closer to flight I’ll regain visibility? Just want to mentally prepare myself for having someone next to me…or not! (Knowing full well it’s not over until doors close)

It usually reopens at the time of online checkin, so 24 hours. There’s a pretty high chance you’ll have someone sitting next to you. Prepare for that and get a bonus if you get a spare seat!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

You'll probably be able to view the seat map in Expert Flyer. Sounds like you got in and selected seats at the right moment.