CX Seat selection

[elanshin]

Was helping girlfriend with her CX flight from MEL to HKG and had her finally correctly put in her QFF (PS so OW Ruby) to select seats. Apparently almost every window seat is taken already on the a359 and shes a window seat person.

Is this just CX blocking certain seats for higher status and that at a later stage it'll open up? Just want to see when we can change her FF back to AsiaMiles given that her flights won't have any earnings on QFF.

 

[RealtimeY]

The forward cabin is blocked for higher tiers, not sure if it opens up automatically, but you could always just keep the QFF number and see if it does, then change it at the check-in desk.

 

[SYD]

Was helping girlfriend with her CX flight from MEL to HKG and had her finally correctly put in her QFF (PS so OW Ruby) to select seats. Apparently almost every window seat is taken already on the a359 and shes a window seat person.

Is this just CX blocking certain seats for higher status and that at a later stage it'll open up? Just want to see when we can change her FF back to AsiaMiles given that her flights won't have any earnings on QFF.

Also, have a look on EF to see what’s actually taken and what’s blocked.

 

[elanshin]

The forward cabin is blocked for higher tiers, not sure if it opens up automatically, but you could always just keep the QFF number and see if it does, then change it at the check-in desk.

That i can understand and expect, but every window seat on the whole plane except a couple was a bit strange.

 

[elanshin]

Also, have a look on EF to see what’s actually taken and what’s blocked.

Checked EF, a few blocked here and there. A few premium, but rest is available so... maybe CX blocking due to OW Ruby i guess.

 

[DJTravels]

As OW Sapphire, my flights BNE-HKG and back were fully available for selection in Economy and even surprisingly, complimentary extra leg room exit rows. You bet I snagged one of those!

 

[tdimdad]

On a CX 359-1000 in Y, would you prefer 40A/K or 60A/K? Aerolopa shows the 40 as bulkhead and row 60 window seats as having no seat in front. In row 60, if I'm lucky and have the next seat free, I could use their under seat space for my small bag. It's on CX101 and I'd try to sleep most of the flight (all of between dinner & breakfast).

 

[WilsonM]

On a CX 359-1000 in Y, would you prefer 40A/K or 60A/K? Aerolopa shows the 40 as bulkhead and row 60 window seats as having no seat in front. In row 60, if I'm lucky and have the next seat free, I could use their under seat space for my small bag. It's on CX101 and I'd try to sleep most of the flight (all of between dinner & breakfast).

Would highly recommend 60A/K - the bulkhead barely interferes with your space in front, so you have effectively unlimited legroom - I could even walk through the space (shameless plug to go see my review for more info https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/cathay-pacific-a350-economy-review/). The no bag issue will remain a constant regardless of row 40/60.

 

[RealtimeY]

Would highly recommend 60A/K - the bulkhead barely interferes with your space in front, so you have effectively unlimited legroom - I could even walk through the space (shameless plug to go see my review for more info https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/cathay-pacific-a350-economy-review/). The no bag issue will remain a constant regardless of row 40/60.

I've always wondered with 60A/K, is walking through to get to aisle awkward? I'm always torn between 60A/K and bulkhead aisle.,

 

[WilsonM]

I've always wondered with 60A/K, is walking through to get to aisle awkward? I'm always torn between 60A/K and bulkhead aisle.,

I'm quite skinny so I never had an issue, but if you're larger then yeah, it might be a pain.

 

[elanshin]

Just reference point. 1 week out still same seat map. Will get her to check even closer. Worst case OCLI and select better there.

 

[tdimdad]

When does CX start to fully open the seat selection on their flights? Do they have something similar to Qantas's T-80 when you can jump and try to secure a better seat for yourself?

 

[elanshin]

When does CX start to fully open the seat selection on their flights? Do they have something similar to Qantas's T-80 when you can jump and try to secure a better seat for yourself?

I've had her check regularly. Everything available opened up at check in which i believe is 48 hr before flight if you're a registered Asia Miles member. Non members have OLCI at 24hours.

I tried to get her to move to a blocked bulkhead, but she apparently likes having a seat in front of her.

 

[tdimdad]

Leaving this here as a note for the future pax asking about the same: seat selection in advance on a codeshare flight operated by CX seems to be off-limits.

I have an AY codeshare (cash fare, in Y, travelling as a QFF WP/OWE), operated by CX (as their CX101 HKG-SYD). QF call centre can't access the seat selection, AY call centre refers me to the operating carrier, and the CX call centre tells me that the seats are blocked and the agent can't access them through my booking. And I can't select the seats through QF, AY or CX MMB pages on their websites, either.

--> Looks like the codeshares are left to wait until the check-in to select their seats. Unfortunate but at least for now they've restricted it very effectively.

 

[SYD]

Leaving this here as a note for the future pax asking about the same: seat selection in advance on a codeshare flight operated by CX seems to be off-limits.

I have an AY codeshare (cash fare, in Y, travelling as a QFF WP/OWE), operated by CX (as their CX101 HKG-SYD). QF call centre can't access the seat selection, AY call centre refers me to the operating carrier, and the CX call centre tells me that the seats are blocked and the agent can't access them through my booking. And I can't select the seats through QF, AY or CX MMB pages on their websites, either.

--> Looks like the codeshares are left to wait until the check-in to select their seats. Unfortunate but at least for now they've restricted it very effectively.

Did you try rj.com? Useful to open the seat map on EF in parallel and see if there’s a free seat (ie not taken nor blocked).

 

[tdimdad]

Even RJ shows them blocked. Next time I need to try to buy a fare which gets coded to CX directly.

 

[SYD]

Even RJ shows them blocked. Next time I need to try to buy a fare which gets coded to CX directly.

I assume it must be a whY cabin thing? I’ve had AY J codeshare flights on CX in the past and was able to select seats.

One last thing, did QF MMB at least offer the Aisle/Window option? Quite sometime ago, I had a booking that I was scratching my head over seat selection (wasn’t able to across multiple websites) but QF offered to Aisle/Window. I selected one and it returned an allocated seat and I was then able to go in and change seats .

 

[tdimdad]

Possibly Y though why would they restrict it this way if it's open to higher cabins?
QF MMB comes back emptyhanded.

 

[SYD]

Possibly Y though why would they restrict it this way if it's open to higher cabins?
QF MMB comes back emptyhanded.

There’s discussion over on FT that suggests codeshare whY bookings on CX metal are treated as “Light” fares with no seat selection.

That could be the issue.

 

[madrooster]

There’s discussion over on FT that suggests codeshare whY bookings on CX metal are treated as “Light” fares with no seat selection.

That could be the issue.

This is correct. Although status overrides this correctly on codeshares still.