Best Seat on 737?

[SYD]

Except there's no PDB champagne served there.

Water or juice….

 

[elanshin]

I'm curious how close-in does a passenger need to select a seat to ensure they get a shadow? For instance, if I were to look at the seat map say 15 minutes prior to boarding, and find an empty row, is there a good chance I'd get my shadow cast? How does Qantas ensure such shadows remain cast? Does it require making the seat selection far enough in advance that Qantas can "block out" those seats? And who do they block out those seats to? Lower tier members (i.e. Lifetime Bronze members) but not those with high enough status like World Platinum? All of this supposes that the flight you are on is largely a light load (i.e. 60% load) where there is excess capacity to facilitate such requests.

Probably earlier the better. If you leave it late, you run the risk of ops staff moving someone there and they can override everything.

And yes you can't block other high tier members that would want the spot for whatever reason. Also at times even if you cast a shadow, if the other party is a party of two, you might still have someone placed in that middle seat if you're by yourself.

One other item: how does someone who is booking a flight know whether a given flight will be a heavy load or not? I understand there are tools like ExpertFlyer which can give you a sense of the fares available for sale for a given flight. But that be of little benefit if you are booking flights several weeks or months in advance. Are there any tools that can tell you what the historical load is for a given flight?

-RooFlyer88

Go to the casino. Go forecast the weather. With the current QF records who knows what the loads will be like. You could be on a 50% load flight and QF magically cancels your flight. Or another flight suddenly gets cancelled and yours goes to 100. MEL weather could be chucking a tantrum again and suddenly the whole network across the country is now congested.

 

[Saab34]

I have noted that they seem to close the seat map off 30-45 mins prior, seem to be more 30.

My last flight, 3 hours on the 737, 35 mins prior had the first dozen rows half full, not a single body in the last 15 rows. So I moved from the first Y row down to row 20 and enjoyed peace and quiet with the whole back to myself..

I do like the ability to switch last minute, and pending what time of day/peak/off peak, I have generally always been able to secure a whole row or at least two seats.

 

[aikman]

I used to religiously constantly check the seat map prior to a flight so that I can move to an empty row as seats fill up but I have given up on that strategy. Sometimes, not all, a few hours prior to departure they would block off most of the seats. Here I am thinking that they have just auto allocated seats to everyone who hasn't picked a seat yet but when I eventually board I find that those seats remain empty. I now know that the seat map is only a guide. A seat may show as occupied when it's really not.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

One other question I have is how do priority seats work. The way I understand it is that these extra leg room seats cost money for everyone to select aside from Platinum 1s anytime before check-in but are free to select (at least as a Platinum) at check-in or later. Is that correct?

Probably earlier the better. If you leave it late, you run the risk of ops staff moving someone there and they can override everything.

I suppose what I was suggesting was to select my preferred seat at T-80 (when QF unblocks most seats to Platinums) and then start checking the seat map at say T-30 minutes to see if you something better comes up. I suppose the alternatively is to simply board last and see which row is available and just sit down there a-la Tom Stuker style.

Go to the casino.

Why bother heading to the casino when every flight with Qantas is a gamble?

I used to religiously constantly check the seat map prior to a flight so that I can move to an empty row as seats fill up but I have given up on that strategy.

For me I only check seat assignments at T-80 which is when QF releases most blocked seats to lower level elites (i.e. non P1s). Occasionally I would check seats at check-in if something better is available, or even seat a ExpertFlight seat alert if it was a crucial seat assignment.

 

[elanshin]

One other question I have is how do priority seats work. The way I understand it is that these extra leg room seats cost money for everyone to select aside from Platinum 1s anytime before check-in but are free to select (at least as a Platinum) at check-in or later. Is that correct?

Emergency exit costs money, front rows blocked. Row 4 is P1/CL only. WP is only up to row 6 etc.

At t-80 most passengers can freely select.

I suppose what I was suggesting was to select my preferred seat at T-80 (when QF unblocks most seats to Platinums) and then start checking the seat map at say T-30 minutes to see if you something better comes up. I suppose the alternatively is to simply board last and see which row is available and just sit down there a-la Tom Stuker style.

I'd usually take a few looks on day of flying. If you're on a busy route like SYD <> MEL passengers shift all the time. Especially the road warriors that know what they're doing who usually have good seats booked. Often they are moving to an earlier flight.

I've definitely moved myself into row 4 on the day of flying.

 

[Lynda2475]

You are unlikely to get a shadow on an exit row as they like to fill those up in case of an emergency

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Emergency exit costs money, front rows blocked. Row 4 is P1/CL only. WP is only up to row 6 etc.

Does it cost money at check-in though? On my last flight (SYD > MEL) QF was charging $30 to select an emergency exit seat as a World Platinum at T-80. However, at check-in it was free.

 

[elanshin]

Does it cost money at check-in though? On my last flight (SYD > MEL) QF was charging $30 to select an emergency exit seat as a World Platinum at T-80. However, at check-in it was free.

At check in it's free for everything i believe. Which is also why the seats shuffle a lot at t-24 to t-20

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

737s. for J, how important is your choice of meal.
Of course it depends on where the FA starts meal requests, usually it's 1a.
1a if food I'd important, 3f if not.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Breakfast request on my flight today, (8.05am ADL dep), on QF674, started at row 1 e,f then 1 a,c today.
Then 2 a,c etc.
I just had the 2 sourdough and coffee.
3 e had the fritata , I was in 3 f.
Not that my choice has run out, just that I didn't dwel roo hungry.

 

[RichardMEL]

Breakfast request on my flight today, (8.05am ADL dep), on QF674, started at row 1 e,f then 1 a,c today.
Then 2 a,c etc.
I just had the 2 sourdough and coffee.
3 e had the fritata , I was in 3 f.
Not that my choice has run out, just that I didn't dwel roo hungry.

Relevance to this thread is....?
Perhaps more appropriate (barely) in the Business Class meals thread imo.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Relevance to this thread is....?
Perhaps more appropriate (barely) in the Business Class meals thread imo.

This is relevant to the thread since one major reason for choosing a seat, especially on those longer haul flights on the 737 is the meal selection option. Having spoken to a number of people who have flown Qantas over the years, where you are seated does impact the catering considerably. For instance, someone seated towards the back of the aircraft is less likely to be able to choose from the meal options announced by cabin crew prior to service whereas someone seated at the front of the cabin will likely be able to choose whatever they want.

Breakfast request on my flight today, (8.05am ADL dep), on QF674, started at row 1 e,f then 1 a,c today.
Then 2 a,c etc.
I just had the 2 sourdough and coffee.
3 e had the fritata , I was in 3 f.
Not that my choice has run out, just that I didn't dwel roo hungry.

I forget that Qantas serves meals in business class (I'm stuck in whY most of the time hence I'm lucky if they'll toss me a biscuit or something!). Based on your reporting it seems like Qantas serves meals front to back, at least on this narrow body jet.

 

[RichardMEL]

This is relevant to the thread since one major reason for choosing a seat, especially on those longer haul flights on the 737 is the meal selection option. Having spoken to a number of people who have flown Qantas over the years, where you are seated does impact the catering considerably. For instance, someone seated towards the back of the aircraft is less likely to be able to choose from the meal options announced by cabin crew prior to service whereas someone seated at the front of the cabin will likely be able to choose whatever they want.

ADL-SYD is hardly long(er) haul - even for a 737.

Additionally, Poochie specifically wrote "Not that my choice has run out, just that I didn't dwel roo hungry." - I am going to assume he meant "didn't feel too hungry" - point being he had some bread and coffee by his choice, so being in 3F on tat particular flight had no bearing on his choice - from context it seems he was offered all the options available and declined.

So .. yes, being in row 3 could be problematic for meal choice for some pax I agree with - that wasn't the case from his post - he didn't feel like eating much - but if he did, seems like he could have had a choice.

Point being that the stated experience actually doesn't support that where one is located in J on a 737 matters in terms of meal selection - however many of us know better

I forget that Qantas serves meals in business class (I'm stuck in whY most of the time hence I'm lucky if they'll toss me a biscuit or something!). Based on your reporting it seems like Qantas serves meals front to back, at least on this narrow body jet.

Yes in general, but with the exclusion of nonrevs usually. For example, I flew yesterday on a 737 in J. I was in row 2. There was, I think, a CL in row 1 and they were served. Other pax were offered drinks and tray. Further, CSM them came to me in 2D ahead of 2AC for my request. Pax in 2F also appeared to be nonrev and was offered tray/drink. Row 3 were all offered choice, then CSM came back to offer the nonrevs (at least 2 pax were crew in uniform) their choices.

Point being, most CSM's do give some priority to revenue pax, and further still (but less so on domestic) by status.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

This is relevant to the thread since one major reason for choosing a seat, especially on those longer haul flights on the 737 is the meal selection option. Having spoken to a number of people who have flown Qantas over the years, where you are seated does impact the catering considerably. For instance, someone seated towards the back of the aircraft is less likely to be able to choose from the meal options announced by cabin crew prior to service whereas someone seated at the front of the cabin will likely be able to choose whatever they want.


I forget that Qantas serves meals in business class (I'm stuck in whY most of the time hence I'm lucky if they'll toss me a biscuit or something!). Based on your reporting it seems like Qantas serves meals front to back, at least on this narrow body jet.

In J yes.
Front to back for meals.
In Y it's push trolley from back, but start at/to row 4 and start food from there.
Coffee and tea usually comes 2nd trolley.
Late upgrades to J might miss on preferred item as announced, opup etc.

 

[elanshin]

For me I only check seat assignments at T-80 which is when QF releases most blocked seats to lower level elites (i.e. non P1s). Occasionally I would check seats at check-in if something better is available, or even seat a ExpertFlight seat alert if it was a crucial seat assignment.

I just did an interesting test. T-80 row 4 is definitely unblocked. I put in 4C deliberately ahead of my GF (separate booking). 4B is immediately blocked for her as silver but 4A available and what she selected.

Im still SG atm (WP in 20 days if my SC calculation are right).

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

I’m always 1A or 4A because I like the window and not a fan of someone reclining on me. Entirely personal preference as some prefer easy access to bathrooms etc. but I find enough room to get out in either of those window seats (p.s I swear there is an inverse correlation between length of flight and need to use bathroom…definitely not between lounge visit duration )

Further to the above, I appreciate the first meal service as so many externalities like turbulence can mean row 2 or 3 go without.