International Seat Selection

[justinbrett]

I’m flying on a very full QF3 on Monday to HNL - in Y unfortunately (continuing on to the mainland and coming back J)

I am WP and have an upgrade request in.

J is sold out so zero chance of an upgrade, load is showing Y9 B9 but the rest zero.

I’ve got 26B allocated with 26A free. This is within the WP block zone so I’ve been safe until now - but I’m concerned when it’s open for check in that someone is going to snag 26A.

1. What’s the chances the seat will remain blocked to non elites during check in?

2. Should I move to 26A with the theory the window seats will be more attractive for overnight long haul flights?

3. Any other tips? I haven’t flown long haul Y for a long time so I’m dreading having to sit next to someone for 10 hours

 

[Daver6]

Can't answer your questions directly but...

I'm an aisle guy. I always pick an aisle seat in centre block as I figure the middle seat in the centre is going to be the absolute last seat chosen. Ie, that free window/aisle seat next you will be much more desirable to someone.

Secondly, I don't think moving between A and B will make much difference. It would come down to whether the person who wants the seat next to you is an aisle or window kinda person.

You could keep an eye on EF to see if the seat next to you shows and available or blocked and use that in your decision making.

This is what is shows for me currently as a WP. If it was me, I'd be selecting either 25D or potentially even 26D as with someone alresady in 26G, those middle two seats would be very undesirable and you'd hope last to go.

 

[jpp42]

I agree that 26D is by a good seat to choose if you want the best chance of an open seat next to you. That makes 26E/F stranded and less likely to be selected by anyone. Even better would be if there were a centre-block section with two seats on one side selected, and two open. In that case select the aisle to leave a single middle seat stranded, which will be the absolute least desirable seat and thus only used at the last moment. Hence, in the diagram shown, the passenger in 34G is in the best possible situation. I would select 26D for now and come back later to see if one of those other rows like 27-28 and 31-33 gets a couple seated in one side, in which case you can choose the aisle on the other side to be in ideal position (like the guy in 34G right now). (Incidentally as a right handed person, I always prefer the aisle on the right side of the centre block, seat G in this case, so that I can eat my meal without elbowing the person next to me, even if the plane is totally full.)

 

[justinbrett]

Thanks for the tips - my thinking was that most people travelling to HNL this time of year would be couples or families, probably not solo travellers, so a single seat next to me would be less likely to be taken - but having two seats like 26E&F could be taken by a couple on a rededeal trying to get two seats together.

 

[dylarr]

1. What’s the chances the seat will remain blocked to non elites during check in?

It may actually open up to non-elites at T-80 when the system unblocks most seats for general selection, so a couple of days before checkin actually opens.

2. Should I move to 26A with the theory the window seats will be more attractive for overnight long haul flights?

I would pick the seat you really want now and stick to it i.e. if you want an aisle, stay where you are. If you want a window, move to it now. As at T-80 and right up to check-in closing, things can move quickly.

3. Any other tips? I haven’t flown long haul Y for a long time so I’m dreading having to sit next to someone for 10 hours

Keep an eye on the seat map from T-80 and if someone moves next to you, keep on strategically moving. Sometimes going to the rear of the aircraft can work in your favour for getting spare seats or even rows if they are available - however on a full flight this obviously won't work and you'll be stuck at the back so it's a risk.

Also people who don't do online checkin and haven't seat selected (gasp!) rock up at the airport the checkin agent will put them anywhere and often you won't know if its occupied until the door on the aircraft is closed (although, ExpertFlyer can come in really handy to see if the seat has become occupied usually right up until the flight departs).

At the end of the day, it's a game of luck though.

 

[RichardMEL]

Remember those on cheap fares with no status who won't pay to select a seat (or in a group booking) may wind up in that non blocked seat.

I agree to just take the seat you want and whatever happens, happens.. out of your control really.

 

[justinbrett]

I just did a no status dummy booking and the seat map is unavailable due to the load.

I think I’ll stick with my current seat and keep an eye on EF.

 

[kermatu]

This is what I see as a P1:



I think T-80 could be your friend.

 

[justinbrett]

Post T-80 and looks like I’ve got a belated Christmas present from Qantas - a Shadow! Here’s hoping... (This is the no status EF seat map)

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

QF don't/doesnt care about your preferred seat in profile.
Even if you have a J seat on a cheaper J subclass they can kick you out of it.
I had chosen QF J class AKL yo BNE, row 6 or 7A so I could see Brisbane city from the 330 window, discJ...
Guess where QF put me?
2F.
So no window seat even though I chose window.
Not a happy pooch I am, then and now with QF.

 

[RichardMEL]

QF don't/doesnt care about your preferred seat in profile.
Even if you have a J seat on a cheaper J subclass they can kick you out of it.
I had chosen QF J class AKL yo BNE, row 6 or 7A so I could see Brisbane city from the 330 window, discJ...
Guess where QF put me?
2F.
So no window seat even though I chose window.
Not a happy pooch I am, then and now with QF.

So what are you saying? Your profile preference is for Aisle? If not then you've basically contradicted yourself imo

 

[NZ_Flyer]

OK what do people think of this: I’m in 25D with a shadow and seems someone has purposefully chosen the other middle seat? Flight is in about 6 hours. Are they angling to try nab all 3 with me in the aisle?

 

[justinbrett]

OK what do people think of this: I’m in 25D with a shadow and seems someone has purposefully chosen the other middle seat? Flight is in about 6 hours. Are they angling to try nab all 3 with me in the aisle?

View attachment 202171

I have actually met the odd person (generally afraid of flying) who prefers middle seats.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

My QFF profile says I prefer window.
Still show window now.
I think I paid Nzd$699 or something prior to using P+P.
Best of luck to member in 26D though.
I used to love QF now I am apathetic.

 

[mannej]

QF don't/doesnt care about your preferred seat in profile.
Even if you have a J seat on a cheaper J subclass they can kick you out of it.
I had chosen QF J class AKL yo BNE, row 6 or 7A so I could see Brisbane city from the 330 window, discJ...
Guess where QF put me?
2F.
So no window seat even though I chose window.
Not a happy pooch I am, then and now with QF.

You are speculating that it was the fare class that had you moved but it could have been any other reason.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Maybe because of 2fa I couldnt do OLCI in time while I was in NZ.
But even so, or due to fare class, how could they just give preffered seats away like that.
VAi kept my preferred seat BNE - AKL and Air NZ did this, even with equipment swap 787 to 777 I still kept 26J premY.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Maybe I should go full fare J one more time with QF AKL - BNE as an experiment.
Picking side A again on the 330, this time, but then they might bring side A over the Port of Brisbane instead of CBD.
Ok I will be quiet now.

 

[dylarr]

They're probably less inclined to move pax that have checked in and have a boarding pass. Although I've been moved plenty of times even after check-in for a number of reasons: usually weight distribution or for other things like needing to seat children with parents etc. Qantas also has a policy against seating adult males with unaccompanied minors as well.

I seat selected on a VA flight once and forgot to OLCI. When I arrived at the airport, I found out that the flight was oversold and they had bumped me even though I had selected a seat. So having a selected seat isn't even a guarantee that you'll get on the flight!

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

I would also add asking nicely at QF F lounge if there is someone next to you insinuating that they put a seat block on the seat to be used last. Worked for me on a QF43 recently. Was in 25A and F Lounge angel said they put a block which should mean it gets used last. Upon boarding the FA said it was a full flight so no chance of sticking. Door closed and 25B remained free .

 

[justinbrett]

I would also add asking nicely at QF F lounge if there is someone next to you insinuating that they put a seat block on the seat to be used last. Worked for me on a QF43 recently. Was in 25A and F Lounge angel said they put a block which should mean it gets used last. Upon boarding the FA said it was a full flight so no chance of sticking. Door closed and 25B remained free .

As it stands now (T-68) the seat next to me is blocked. There are a total of four blocked seats on the flight with at least Y9 seats still available. I’m thinking unless that number goes to Y3 or less I’ll have a spare seat.