737 International, Rows 4-7 B/E seat blocking?

[Qantas747]

QANTAS used to block its 737 middle seats in rows 4-7 (maybe 4-6?) because of weight restrictions on its medium-haul international flights (e.g. SYD-DPS).

For obvious reasons, these rows are by far the pick for those with status to lock in when booking, or when the 80-hour window opens up. They make the 6-hour trip much more bearable!

Has anyone had recent experiences flying on one of these services who can confirm whether or not this is still the case (considering loads may be smaller at the moment)?

 

[justinbrett]

QANTAS used to block its 737 middle seats in rows 4-7 (maybe 4-6?) because of weight restrictions on its medium-haul international flights (e.g. SYD-DPS).

For obvious reasons, these rows are by far the pick for those with status to lock in when booking, or when the 80-hour window opens up. They make the 6-hour trip much more bearable!

Has anyone had recent experiences flying on one of these services who can confirm whether or not this is still the case (considering loads may be smaller at the moment)?

In my experience (including on other types) the seats aren't blocked but elite pax get a shadow, which may or may not stick depending on the load.

I've had 100% success rate in retaining my shadow on the Y flights I've taken in the last 2-3 years. Just prior to covid I flew SYD-HNL and my shadow was the only vacant seat on the plane!

I don't think Gold gets a shadow, but if you chose a seat up the front, you're more likely to get WPs around you in which case you can benefit from their shadow. If you have a specific flight give details and one of us can look it up on ExpertFlyer and might be able to identify a shadow of another pax.

 

[Qantas747]

In my experience (including on other types) the seats aren't blocked but elite pax get a shadow, which may or may not stick depending on the load.

I've had 100% success rate in retaining my shadow on the Y flights I've taken in the last 2-3 years. Just prior to covid I flew SYD-HNL and my shadow was the only vacant seat on the plane!

I don't think Gold gets a shadow, but if you chose a seat up the front, you're more likely to get WPs around you in which case you can benefit from their shadow. If you have a specific flight give details and one of us can look it up on ExpertFlyer and might be able to identify a shadow of another pax.

Thanks! Before they changed to the A330, I used to do the route a lot and the middle seat was always blocked. Could indeed have been a shadow, but a crew member once mentioned that the seats were blocked because of weight.

I had a 100% success rate as Gold, but maybe did just luck out with WPs all around! I'll be doing the route five times over the rest of the year, and am holding out hope that it's upgraded to an A330 again at some stage as other aircraft come back online.

 

[justinbrett]

Thanks! Before they changed to the A330, I used to do the route a lot and the middle seat was always blocked. Could indeed have been a shadow, but a crew member once mentioned that the seats were blocked because of weight.

I had a 100% success rate as Gold, but maybe did just luck out with WPs all around! I'll be doing the route five times over the rest of the year, and am holding out hope that it's upgraded to an A330 again at some stage as other aircraft come back online.

I had a look on a random date, and I think you are right, rows 4-7 have a seat blocked on each side - but it's not the middle seat, it alternates between aisle and window. But that's with an almost empty load - if WPs start selecting seats I'm not sure if those stay blocked.

I guess this route is on the edge of the limits of the aircraft so they have to be more proactive in load control.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

One way to 99% guarantee a free seat next to you, without sitting in J, is to buy a comfort seat request, and just pay the other "person" seat fare, but no taxes.
Did this several times on my trips Au - NZ with QF, 2013 till covid hit.
Edit: thinking of it, with the QF call wait times so atrocious, might not be worth it, but who knows, if you have time, maybe try it.
Can't be done online though.