Blocking of seats on QF

[chrisb]

As a lowly silver i've had this happen twice -

The first was in the QP - I requested an ODU and when one wasn't available the agent moved me to a set of 3 seats and blocked them for me.

The second was in Business Class on a 743 - I have no idea why the checkin agent blocked it for me but who was I to argue with her.

Chrisb.

 

[Mal]

Funny you should say that, but I have had exactly that happen before. Offered (did not ask) an empty row by CSD. Before I could grab my stuff and make my way to the empty row down the back, someone seated near to that row decided to nab them and the CSD did politely ask them to return to their allocated seat.

Cathay Pacific have done that for me! Was very appreciative of the CSM's gesture as I the 3 seats in my original row were full and I was moved to three spare seats

 

[snufl]

Couple of years ago flying LAX to SYD the check-in lady put a block on the seat next to me...long story short... there were problems, lots of cranky people and I smiled. I checked my seat number before boarding but made the big mistake of putting away my glasses, I can't see small print without them.

So I get to my seat and there is a guy in it and his friend next to him. When I say I think you are in my seat, they say no, I'm mistaken. Self doubt sets in, without my glasses I can't be sure so I find a seat and wait till we are in the air. Now I'm sure, so I ask them again, no success. Now I see the FA, he gets me my allocated seat but says blocked seats can be taken by anyone once the plane is in the air. By now all I want is my aisle seat.

It was a row of 4 and original seat allocation was me one end and another lady the other end, she told me later the idiots were laughing at me when I left the first time. There were 2 free seats in the middle. So they could have taken the 2 in the middle if they wanted to sit together. No, only one stays next to me and has a spare seat next to him. He then spends the next 14 hours issuing payback for me claiming my seat. It was the flight from hell.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Cathay Pacific have done that for me! Was very appreciative of the CSM's gesture as I the 3 seats in my original row were full and I was moved to three spare seats

Same for me.

Seat blocking at check in this last weekend had mixed results despite fairly empty flights (less than half full). One got a row of three to myself (and many pillows and blankets ready on the seats with which I could make a comfy nest). The other my row to myself became a row with middle seat blocked & someone in window (I was in aisle) and then asked to move to another row also with middle seat blocked & someone in aisle.

 

[Shano]

Used OLCI for flight BNE-MEL taken Tuesday night (QF637) with Mrs Shano and Mini Shano. We had been allocated 20A and 20C with 20B shown as taken on the seat map (Monday night ~9pm). I suspected that it had been blocked in advance when seat allocation was done, which was confirmed at check-in . Flight was ~80% full. Given that I made the blocking request on our initial flight MEL-BNE on Saturday, I guess they added a note to the booking to block the middle seat on the return flight - so thank you Qantas. Much easier travelling with a 6 month old with that extra seat.

Apologies for heading OT, but with Platinum status was even able to get QP access for Mrs Shano's sister on Tuesday night, even though she was not flying. QP attendant mentioned I could bring 2 guests in that were not flying if WP - I did not know this

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Apologies for heading OT, but with Platinum status was even able to get QP access for Mrs Shano's sister on Tuesday night, even though she was not flying. QP attendant mentioned I could bring 2 guests in that were not flying if WP - I did not know this

Yup - a nice benefit.

 

[mainly tailfirst]

Apologies for heading OT, but with Platinum status was even able to get QP access for Mrs Shano's sister on Tuesday night, even though she was not flying. QP attendant mentioned I could bring 2 guests in that were not flying if WP - I did not know this

AFAIK, for domestic QP access, your guest does need to be travelling at all. The difference between SG and WP is the number of guests (1 v 2) and that fact that WP can get in the QP regardless of whether they are travelling with QF/JQ that day or not.

Interestingly, the QC access page (http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/qantasClub/loungeAccess) makes no mention of guest access for domestic QF flights, yet in the Jetstar section it says "You may also invite one guest who need not be travelling". Methinks that whole page needs a rewrite.

mt

 

[serfty]

... Methinks that whole page needs a rewrite.

mt

Perhaps, but the ability to bring in Guest(s) domestically is mentioned in the "Benefits Section":

Invite a guest
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are welcome to invite family, friends or colleagues to join you in the lounge.

If you're flying domestically on Qantas, QantasLink or Jetstar within Australia, and on Qantas within New Zealand, you may bring one guest to join you in a Qantas Club lounge. Platinum Frequent Flyers are welcome to invite two guests. Your guests do not need to be travelling.

 

[Dave]

Flying SYD - NRT midweek the flight is often only half full.

The first time I did this for business we had 2 SG and 2 WP checking in together and they gave us all a row of four to ourselves. (I'm one of the SG)

Since then I ask at check-in every time I take this flight. At SYD, they always tell me "sorry, we can't block seats any more. I can put you in an empty row, but there are no guarantees." But it seems the memo hasn't got to Japan yet, because they always do it for me at NRT!

However, I have a suspicion that blocking seats is limited to WP. Also, the flights where I have successfully had seats blocked have been full fare - I have found that they treat me much nicer when I'm on a Fully Flexible ticket rather than a Red-e deal!

Now, each occasion I have got a row to myself I have been flying on a fully flexible ticket and going straight to work after the flight, so I need a good sleep and therefore don't feel too bad about defending the territory. However, if someone asked me for one of the seats, I would give it to them.

BUT - you would find it hard to ask me. When I get on the plane, I sit in one of the centre seats, with my carry-on bag under the aisle seat next to me. Then, I pile up all the pillows and blankets on the other aisle seat. They actually pile up pretty high when you put them on one seat! As soon as the seatbelt light is off, I lie down, put on a face mask and listen to my mp3 player. You would have to actually shake me to get my attention. With any luck I then fall asleep, but the flight attendants usually DO shake me to ask if I want dinner, to which I normally say no, then lie awake for 2 hours. Grrr...

 

[bigjobs]

BUT - you would find it hard to ask me. When I get on the plane, I sit in one of the centre seats, with my carry-on bag under the aisle seat next to me. Then, I pile up all the pillows and blankets on the other aisle seat. They actually pile up pretty high when you put them on one seat! As soon as the seatbelt light is off, I lie down, put on a face mask and listen to my mp3 player. You would have to actually shake me to get my attention. With any luck I then fall asleep, but the flight attendants usually DO shake me to ask if I want dinner, to which I normally say no, then lie awake for 2 hours. Grrr...

why don't you just have a little note that you wear around your neck or have it written on your eye mask ... "please leave me to sleep" "no meal service thanks" or something like that.

seems silly to like awake going 'Grrr' for two hours when you could be asleep ...

i've done this previously and it works for me.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

A post it on the top of the seat should do the trick

In SQ business and first class overnight flights they ask pax before departure if want to sleep or eat and put stickers by those that sleep.

 

[Altair]

In SQ business and first class overnight flights they ask pax before departure if want to sleep or eat and put stickers by those that sleep.

The passengers or the seats? :shock:

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

on the seat back

 

[bigjobs]

EK have little stickers for this purpose too.

 

[Commuter]

Virgin Atlantic give you a sticker that says "Wake me for meals" or otherwise. Well, they used to do when I flew with them years ago. Are they still doing that? Can anyone verify?

 

[serfty]

QF used to (8-9 years ago) include in their J amenity pack a sheet with two stickers.

"Do not disturb" and "wake me for meals".