Getting toward the front of the plane

[empiretraveller]

Ok, I'm booking an MCY - SYD flight soon and will let you guys know how I went with getting towards the front of the plane and also any benefits when checking in.

 

[Demon_fan]

I always choose row 7 when booking then check again within 48 hours of flying, usually row 5 & 6 have opened up. Then sometimes you can get row 3 at check in.

This is pretty much what I do.

But when it comes to check in within 48 hours, I don't concentrate on getting closer to the front, I concentrate on what I think is the best chance to get a shadow.

 

[Demon_fan]

I booked PER-SYD-PER just after I dropped from Plat to Gold, and can now only select from Row 17 and back on the A330 at the time of booking.

Not the end of the world, my last 3 return flights to Perth from Melbourne, I've managed to get a shadow and most of the plats further up haven't had one. It all comes down to seat selection.

 

[JohnK]

As a VA Gold I generally pre-select row 7 at time of booking.

When OLCI opens I can generally get row 5. Sometimes row 4. Happy with this as I can board as late as possible and put laptop bag under seat in front without being scolded by the FAs protecting the business class overheads and the overheads above row 3 where they store their own cabin babbage.

 

[kevrosmith]

We asked for row 3 at T-3.5 and told full. Get on board to find NBs in row 3. How that happens is a mystery to me and a bit annoying.

This is where ExpertFlyer comes in handy... helps to keep the Lounge agents honest... they still may not allocate the seats to you, but you can at least show them that you can see them as free (albeit potentially blocked).

 

[VulpesVulpes]

We asked for row 3 at T-3.5 and told full. Get on board to find NBs in row 3. How that happens is a mystery to me and a bit annoying.

Was it a flight with a code share? I was flying to meet someone in CNS. I was flying SYD - CNS as gold and got 3C to help me nurse the hangover from hell. She has just come SIN - BNE and was put in 3A at time of check in at SIN on a SQ ticket for her BNE - CNS leg. Her boarding pass was an SQ one and she is zero status.

She snapchated me with her boarding pass, all proud of herself. She loved row 3 when tagging along with me and then was excited when she got it all by herself.

 

[blackcat20]

This is where ExpertFlyer comes in handy... helps to keep the Lounge agents honest... they still may not allocate the seats to you, but you can at least show them that you can see them as free (albeit potentially blocked).

You'd think I'd have thought of this. Next time...though usually the agents will offer to move us to 3.

Was it a flight with a code share? I was flying to meet someone in CNS. I was flying SYD - CNS as gold and got 3C to help me nurse the hangover from hell. She has just come SIN - BNE and was put in 3A at time of check in at SIN on a SQ ticket for her BNE - CNS leg. Her boarding pass was an SQ one and she is zero status.

She snapchated me with her boarding pass, all proud of herself. She loved row 3 when tagging along with me and then was excited when she got it all by herself.

Not sure, just a MEL-ADL flight.

 

[gwilli1]

As most have said Row 7 for Gold at booking & then i have creeped up at T 48 . Have had Row 3 on a few occasions when finally checking in, but majority of the time Row 4 . Always ask at the lounge to see if Row 3 is available. 50/50 success for me.

 

[empiretraveller]

This is pretty much what I do.

But when it comes to check in within 48 hours, I don't concentrate on getting closer to the front, I concentrate on what I think is the best chance to get a shadow.

I'm sorry, I'm a bit of a newbie with the lingo. What is a "Shadow"?

 

[Sbv72]

I'm sorry, I'm a bit of a newbie with the lingo. What is a "Shadow"?

Your shadow is in the seat next to you I.e it is vacant.

 

[Wezza]

This is pretty much what I do.

But when it comes to check in within 48 hours, I don't concentrate on getting closer to the front, I concentrate on what I think is the best chance to get a shadow.

I'm often flying with my wife so it doesn't matter too much.

 

[andye]

I'm often flying with my wife so it doesn't matter too much.

Some would disagree....

not me though

 

[VulpesVulpes]

Not sure, just a MEL-ADL flight.

Probably not then, nobody would willingly go to ADL let alone an air like create a code share to the place hehe

 

[notzac]

We asked for row 3 at T-3.5 and told full. Get on board to find NBs in row 3. How that happens is a mystery to me and a bit annoying.

She has just come SIN - BNE and was put in 3A at time of check in at SIN on a SQ ticket for her BNE - CNS leg. Her boarding pass was an SQ one and she is zero status.

From my (limited) understanding, once the flight goes to airport control - all the controls over who can access what seat vanish. The website still has a few restrictions, but otherwise - anyone checking in from anywhere (including remote ports and international connections) can have any available seat.

It's seriously annoying.

 

[blackcat20]

From my (limited) understanding, once the flight goes to airport control - all the controls over who can access what seat vanish. The website still has a few restrictions, but otherwise - anyone checking in from anywhere (including remote ports and international connections) can have any available seat.

It's seriously annoying.

Makes me wonder how early these people checked in given how early we were at the airport...

 

[notzac]

Makes me wonder how early these people checked in given how early we were at the airport...

If they connected, it could have been (many) hours earlier..

 

[Milefest]

I actually booked a SYD-BNE flight and flew last night without picking my seat. It automatically allocated me to 3D when I checked in 12 hours beforehand which was great since I'm only still va red. It reinforces my suspicion that when the system needs to automatically allocate seats to pax that haven't picked seats, it fills from front to back ignoring status. I can't confirm this, but this is my experience and continue to get seats before row 14 using this method, although I could be just lucky.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I know it's rude to say, but it does peeve me a bit to hear that reds or nobodies are filling row 3 shadows. In my estimation, row 3 shadows should be filled only as the last available seats (unless selected by a plat member).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

From my (limited) understanding, once the flight goes to airport control - all the controls over who can access what seat vanish. The website still has a few restrictions, but otherwise - anyone checking in from anywhere (including remote ports and international connections) can have any available seat.

It's seriously annoying.

I was just thinking of this and I have my doubts. I do know (from personal experience) that once an aircraft goes under airport control, name changes can not be made, but surely they can't take loading and weight control away from the operating airline?

 

[kevrosmith]

I know it's rude to say, but it does peeve me a bit to hear that reds or nobodies are filling row 3 shadows. In my estimation, row 3 shadows should be filled only as the last available seats (unless selected by a plat member).

Or at least other Platinum and Gold members are re-seated into these rows (or provided with the opportunity to shift, if that's at all possible somehow) prior to being allocated to Reds.