T-80 Seat Selection

[arimansfield]

Real quick one,

I've been browsing through the forums and keep seeing T-80 pop up.

From what I can see this means that seat selection opens up completely for all travellers regardless of status 80 hours before the flight.

Is this correct and/or does it mean more/less than this?

Cheers!

EDIT: Specifically interested in QF process.

 

[castie]

Depends on the airline.

QF is T-24 as far as I know.

 

[arimansfield]

Okay, can anyone confirm?

It's QF I'm interested in, sorry should have mentioned that.

 

[harvyk]

QF is T-80...

Basically 80 hours prior to scheduled takeoff, seat selection becomes open. For example as a PS flying on a B737 prior to T-80 I can only select any Y seat from row 17 on wards. At T-80 this opens up so I can select any seat which does not yet have a person in it (shadow seats excluded, although that can work to my advantage as well).

It's meant to be a way of reserving the seats towards the front for higher statused pax, but at T-80 they figure that higher status pax have had a chance to get their selections sorted.

 

[arimansfield]

Awesome, cheers for that!

I'm 6"1' and on the redeye to PER from ADL getting an exit row is amazing for another 3 hours sleep.

I've had mixed luck getting it before, but hopefully this increases my chances.

 

[castie]

I only fly internationally.
QF international still T-24? or T-80 as well?

 

[mannej]

I only fly internationally.
QF international still T-24? or T-80 as well?

Yes for intl.

 

[serfty]

Qantas put a "hard" block on domestic seat selection until 3 days and 8 hours before scheduled departure time (3 x 24 + 8 = 80, hence T-80).

At that time "Theoretical Seating" takes over - for more on that, see here: (http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ram/why-row-4-open-gold-42904.html#post675817)

Just out of interest does anyone know if the class of fare is taken into account in the current and future system of allocation? Does a SG on a E class fare have access to seats that a NB/No status on a K/Y fare would not? ...

I believe the Altea system introduced last year is prividing a weighted value per PAX for each flight, referred to as a PCV. See post #63 of this very thread:

What IS the current system and how does it differ to what's explained above?

see here:
Another interesting Post on the Related FT thread on this article. The author lists their occupation as an "Analyst for Airline Industry":

Alright before this speculation gets out of hand (and believe me, this article is way off base with its story!!!), let me explain this concept.

With Qantas' switch of reservation system, there are alot of behind the scenes changes that have taken place. One of these new concepts is called 'Theoretical Seats,' and believe me when I say that it is an excellent idea in theory, but it will take some time to iron out the issues Qantas is currently going through. Basically, Qantas has setup a list order (call it a value) of each pax for each and every flight (as well as values for individual seats on an aircraft). The ranking order takes into account FF status, PNR associations, SSRs, booking class, etc.

So, behind the scene before a pax even shows up to check-in, the system has allocated 'theoretical seats' for EVERY pax on that flight, depending the ranking order. What this means is that a pax with a high ranking order will have access to almost every seat available on the flight. A pax with a low ranking order will ONLY SEE SEATS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN BLOCKED BY THE 'THEORETICAL SEATS' FOR HIGHER RANKING PAX. Generally, if a flight is booked full (oversold), a low-ranking pax will see maybe 1 or 2 seats, or none at all available to them.

What this concept tries to do, is give pax with FF status, higher fare tickets, etc. better seats on an aircraft when pre-assignment is out of the question (QF doesn't pre-assign domestic seats, same for intra-Europe flights and Eurpoean carriers). ...

I do not believe this system is going to change that much; I would expect this change to be an extension or enhancement of this "Theoretical Seats" based component of Altea.

...

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Depends on the airline.

QF is T-24 as far as I know.

I only fly internationally.
QF international still T-24? or T-80 as well?

While the T-80 applies to the actual selection of seats, actual OLCI doesn't open until T-24.

Some people get caught out thinking that by selecting a seat they've checked also which isn't the case.

If you know you're in an exit row don't OLCI as it won't print your boarding pass. Either use an airport kiosk or if eligible, use the Premium Check in queue.

 

[harvyk]

While the T-80 applies to the actual selection of seats, actual OLCI doesn't open until T-24.

Some people get caught out thinking that by selecting a seat they've checked also which isn't the case.

If you know you're in an exit row don't OLCI as it won't print your boarding pass. Either use an airport kiosk or if eligible, use the Premium Check in queue.

I still use OLCI even when in an exit row seat, it does say I need to front up to check in (or the QP in my case). Whilst I probably don't need to, it does give me piece of mind that I've "checked in" for the exit row.

 

[JohnM]

If you live in PER, you will know that seats seldom open up at T-80 for flights east. It's more likely about T-27.

 

[tuapekastar]

I have heard reports of seat selection opening up at T-80, then 'closing' again a few hours later.

 

[harvyk]

If you live in PER, you will know that seats seldom open up at T-80 for flights east. It's more likely about T-27.

I've never had that problem with flights from PER...
Of course it could also be that there are a high number of higher statused pax who fly to / from PER who get in quick with the seat selections, which give the appearance of T-80 not been worth it, and since dom upgrades are now no longer always instant but instead processed at roughly T-24 it might mean that a few pax who had decent Y seats have been moved to J re-opening up those seats at T-24.

 

[JohnM]

I always set up EF alerts to try to move from 2A to 1A or K. They seldom, if ever, come through at T-80 whereas they usually do on flights E to W.

 

[JohnK]

If you live in PER, you will know that seats seldom open up at T-80 for flights east. It's more likely about T-27.

Admittedly I have not flown out of PER that often but I have not had an issue with seat selection at T-80 hours.

I have heard reports of seat selection opening up at T-80, then 'closing' again a few hours later.

I have not noticed that one. I know sometimes it is not quite T-80 hours and it could actually be T-79 hours or later.

 

[legroom]

To help calculate T-80 in a different timezone (say you are in Bermuda and QF12 check in is in LA), this is a nifty aid to help work out the correct time.

 

[Robbi]

To help calculate T-80 in a different timezone (say you are in Bermuda and QF12 check in is in LA), this is a nifty aid to help work out the correct time.

Good work!

 

[DougG]

Thanks for the help on this - didn't even need to ask the question to get the info.

 

[JohnK]

Is anyone having issues with seat selections at T-80 hours?

On Tuesday went from 25B -> 24D for todays flight. Go to check-in and I am in 25B. :shock: Luckily 24D still available.

On Wednesday went from 6D -> 4D for tomorrows flight. I checked today and I am in 6D. :shock: Can't get anything forward.

Trying to change Sundays flight from 6D -> 4D and everytime I confirm it remains as 6D. When I go back into seat map I am in 4D. :shock:

Call Qantas and there is no record of me making the change. I asked her if they had the kids loose again on the website.

Using the mobile website.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I asked her if they had the kids loose again on the website.

are you still on indefinite hold after asking that?