Seating suggestion

[Zippy7]

Hi guys,

I will be travelling from Sydney to Melbourne with the wife and 2 kids in whY. They are 6 and 8 (so cannot sit alone).

As the tickets are paid for, I went into the system to reserve seats. Originally it was showing a wide body (2 aisle) plane in 2-3-2 configuration. This made it easy for me to pick 2 rows of seats on the left side. However, when I checked today, QF427 was changed to a narrow body plane, so its now 3-3.

The system had allocated us up the back A+B over 2 rows. Not nice in anyone's books.

I've changed my seating to A+C over 2 rows. What's the likelihood that someone will get allocated into seat B??

Are there better suggestions for seating? Will they block out B because I am WP, or do I need to ring and ask nicely? Does it matter if we sit forward or back?

Cheers.

 

[JohnK]

It will all depend on the loadings if the middle seats remain vacant. You may get a blocked seat but that is no guarantee either.

On a 737 unless you really need to have the window then BC and DE in the same row would be slightly better and an even better solution would to have CD in 2 separate rows. Sure you are a separated by the aisle but essentially you are still seated together and can easily have a conversation.

 

[docjames]

JohnK's suggestion is a good one.

Another option is to go abcd or cdef in one row, having one adult across the aisle. You can then either have the two adults across from each other so you can talk, or mix and match how you want.

 

[Zippy7]

Thanks for the replies and opinions.

I'll have to discuss the single window theory with the wife to see what she thinks.

My thought process was that the children would enjoy having a window each (no fighting that way). Then I was wondering how we could enjoy a bit of extra space, so it seems that provided the loading isn't too high, we stand a chance of those seats staying empty.

The other thought was that if I moved further back, it would get into NB/SG allocation territory? So if I stayed further forward, what is the chance that a lone travelling WP will WANT to sit in a middle B seat? Or is this thinking all wrong?

 

[docjames]

It's a risky strategy hoping for a seat to stay spare, as you never know what the loadings may be (near full or near empty).

In theory, the "spare" seats should be protected next to CL then WP then SG. I've certainly seen fairly full flights with "spares" in the middle seats for the first couple of rows, then full thereafter.

I understand the window issue. Maybe one gets it for take off, one for landing?:shock:

 

[Flying Fox]

Did similar thing recently with our twins. Decided to go 4AB & 5AB. Worked well as parents could look after one child each and still speak to each other for assistance and passing of stuff. The boys also liked talking to each other through the seats.

I also think that this was good in that one parents didn't feel like they were getting stuck with both boys (as would have been in the case of a 4ABCD configuration)

 

[JohnK]

The other thought was that if I moved further back, it would get into NB/SG allocation territory? So if I stayed further forward, what is the chance that a lone travelling WP will WANT to sit in a middle B seat? Or is this thinking all wrong?

Another Platinum is not going to be your main issue when trying to protect a middle seat.

Please take note blocked seats only hold until a certain point after which anyone can grab them. So someone with or without status holding a pre-allocated seat/boarding pass with for 29BE is going to do all they can to replace it for 4BE, 5BE, 6BE etc....

 

[medhead]

Another Platinum is not going to be your main issue when trying to protect a middle seat.

Please take note blocked seats only hold until a certain point after which anyone can grab them. So someone with or without status holding a pre-allocated seat/boarding pass with for 29BE is going to do all they can to replace it for 4BE, 5BE, 6BE etc....

Exactly! The numbers of times I get a PS in 4B. In fact, it was only Friday and a non QFF in 4E. She was very friendly but obviously jump forward.

The thing that needs to be considered is what will you do when there is an adult in the middle seat?

 

[Zippy7]

The thing that needs to be considered is what will you do when there is an adult in the middle seat?

I am thinking that if B was taken, we would then take AB and offer C to the person in B, who would probably take it in an instant. I guess I just have to be there early to hog the overhead locker