Accessing Bulkhead seats on QF

[ChrisCunard]

I've just recently become a Silver QF Club / Frequent Flyer and for the first time have the advance seat selection available. At 6"5 I do appreciate seats where no one in front can recline into my limited leg space.

Is there any way you know of to pre-book the Y bulkhead rows on domestic services. It's not an option on the seat select and QF Telephone Sales don't seem to be able to assist. I know the situation with exit seats on QF Domestic but any tips are greatly appreciated re: bulkheads.

Chris.

 

[djfuzz]

Chris, my understanding is that bulkhead seats in general are at first instance only available to Chairman's Lounge (and maybe Platinum FFs), or to pax with infants where they are also bassinet positions. I don't believe they're available for pre-allocation by Silver or Gold members.

This changes at various stages during the check-in process (eg T-80 hours), but probably won't open the whole way until you present at the airport. I defer to the suggestions of other members with more experience with this though.

 

[serfty]

As a WP I can not access any seat the front two rows of economy of domestic flights until within 80 hours of scheduled flight departure.

For Business class I generally cannot access First row seating.

 

[lsmi4126]

I am more often than not auto-assigned bulkhead seats on A380 (fly on it exclusively SYD - LAX) when making bookings online (I'm only PS) - usually 52D-G or 66D-G). I cannot ever select another bulkhead seat at any time (as far as I'm aware), even if shown as available or blocked on EF.

 

[mannej]

Would a Travel Agent be able to do this?

 

[anat0l]

ChrisCunard, as only a Silver you may not have much luck getting bulkhead seats.

As you may realise, bulkhead seats are usually popular ones, so QF have set it so that their top tier elites get "first dibs", i.e. Chairman's Lounge, followed by Platinum. As a Platinum, most of the time I can't get at the first two rows of domestic Economy (or even international) via Advance Seat Selection. At T-80 (i.e. 80 hours before departure; just over 3 days), the system flexes up a bit and allows me to see more seats. Sometimes I'll then be fortunate to be able to select a bulkhead seat.

As a Silver you would get access to some seats for preselection but I'd imagine not the bulkhead seats. Sometimes the only answer is to keep trying (i.e. keep going to Manage My Booking, then either Select Seats, or, if inside 24 hours to departure, Online Check-In). If you persist many times, you may find a bulkhead seat that has just been vacated or not snatched up by higher tiered members fast enough when the flight is getting closer and closer to departure.

So, in conclusion, it seems like apart from a bit of luck, you will not be able to preselect a bulkhead seat on almost any flight you take as long as you are a Silver, because the Golds, Platinums and Chairman's Lounge members will get to them first (or allowed to get to them first). The only advantage you have over a Bronze is that you can select a seat before the Online Check-In time window.



Travel agents may be able to get around this, but nominally they are supposed to be "restricted" by whatever the member can see themselves, i.e. after entering the QFF number. Rumour has it that TAs can see slightly more seats and can even forcibly select seats at times, but I don't see any clear evidence or link.

 

[TonyHancock]

As a Platinum, most of the time I can't get at the first two rows of domestic Economy (or even international) via Advance Seat Selection.

As a WP I have managed to get international flight bulkheads on every booking in whY and whY+ for the last year or so when using Advance Seat Selection. In 2011 I have had bulkhead seats 5 times so far this year and have another 4 coming up in April and May - including a BA flight.

I don't mean that to sound snooty, I'm interested to see if I am just lucky.

On domestic I'm always two rows back when I book!

 

[serfty]

....

On domestic I'm always two rows back when I book!

And that's the issue; The OP was asking:

...
Is there any way you know of to pre-book the Y bulkhead rows on domestic services.

From anecdotes the biggest difference from NB is actually being able to select a seat on Domestic flights; ALthough the seats offered could be considered poor.

To the OP; you can try the T-80 hours method - recheck your seating at or shortly after 80 hours before your flight (that's 3 days and 8 hours).

 

[JohnK]

As a Silver it is a struggle but as a Platinum it is not difficult to pre-allocate row 26 bulkhead seat on a 767-336.

I can also get row 25 DEF on a 767-338 (I call this the 767-338 long version and has 23ABJK, 24ABJK reserved for Chairmans Lounge) with the extra galley in front between economy and business.

Also able to pre-allocate 25DEFG on A333-200 domestic as 23ABJK, 24ABJK are reserved fro Chairmans Lounge.

Only issue is these configurations are few and far between and can change very quickly.

Any other anomalies?

 

[ChrisCunard]

Thanks everyone for the tips. I'll give the T-80 strategy a go.

The excitement of making Silver is starting to wear off

Thanks again!