"Operational factors'' that may change One's pre-allocated seat choice

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: What the best seat(s) to choose in First class on A380?

Of course it does - QF operates for commercial reasons.

I'm not so sure.

'Operational factors' to me implies a change required in order to ensure the operation of the aircraft. (and I should add to the above list another operational factor might be the re-seating of pax in an emergency row that don't meet the criteria for those seats).

If you have booked a flight you accept it may be cancelled or delayed due to operational factors. This includes ATC or weather.

You don't accept that an airline may cancel a flight for commercial reasons (light loading of pax therefore the airline decides to cancel).

I think commercial and operational are two different elements.

 

[serfty]

Re: What the best seat(s) to choose in First class on A380?

...

I think commercial and operational are two different elements.

Maybe different, but certainly related when it come how they can operationally seat their most financially beneficial customers.

A WP might put $5K a year though Qantas' coffers, a WP! perhaps $15K but if a CL puts $300k+ through, then when it comes to seat selection, we know what happens.

It also happens (as per the OP) when a PAX of note may be travelling. In this case "Operational" can be related to "promotional" or "Clout".

So, I as a WP, am occasionally going to miss out on my long preselected seats - it has happened to me before and it will likely happen to me again.

Such is life ...

 

[Ansett]

Re: What the best seat(s) to choose in First class on A380?

Maybe different, but certainly related when it come how they can operationally seat their most financially beneficial customers.

A WP might put $5K a year though Qantas' coffers, a WP! perhaps $15K but if a CL puts $300k+ through, then when it comes to seat selection, we know what happens.

It also happens (as per the OP) when a PAX of note may be travelling. In this case "Operational" can be related to "promotional" or "Clout".

So, I as a WP, am occasionally going to miss out on my long preselected seats - it has happened to me before and it will likely happen to me again.

Such is life ...

Again we all accept that this happens and we move on however as far as I am concerned there is no justification ever for beinmg told lies. If a customer of higher status is allocated the seat and I am moved I can deal with that BUT being lied to is a big big NO

 

[serfty]

Re: What the best seat(s) to choose in First class on A380?

Again we all accept that this happens and we move on however as far as I am concerned there is no justification ever for beinmg told lies. If a customer of higher status is allocated the seat and I am moved I can deal with that BUT being lied to is a big big NO

I agree about the lies - but it does not help to call them on it.

One might ask for the reason to be put in writing .. the reaction would be interesting ...

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: What the best seat(s) to choose in First class on A380?

I'm content to be seat bumped within F by a higher status pax, as long as the airline agent looks me in the eye and tells me why I'm being moved, and its true. Especially as I'm always a points upgrade F pax

Have been seat bumped twice within paid international J. Once I recognized the pax in 'my' seat and assumed he was CL via Tier 1 celebrity status. That's life. Second time by a quite young pax (about 18?) - could be CL, but doubt it. Could be another good reason also. But I suspect his very strong familiarity with the CSM had something to do with it (?family).

 

[BindiBratz]

Re: What the best seat(s) to choose in First class on A380?

The only time I have been bumped, I was unaware until at the gate, and was not given an explanation nor did I ask as the newly allocated seat was perfectly fine.

Upon boarding though, it was obvious that they had had to juggle the seats due to needs for a severely disabled passenger and their carer. I gather that they had initially been allocated seats side by side, which would have been impossible for the practicality of the situation, and their seats were then changed to across the aisle from each other, with vacant seat next to the disabled passenger at the window (as that seat would have been inaccessible).

Perfectly understandable, and totally acceptable.

 

[legroom]

Re: What the best seat(s) to choose in First class on A380?

That would perfectly fit the concept of 'operational' reason.

But John O'Neil ?

The only time I have been bumped, I was unaware until at the gate, and was not given an explanation nor did I ask as the newly allocated seat was perfectly fine.

Upon boarding though, it was obvious that they had had to juggle the seats due to needs for a severely disabled passenger and their carer. I gather that they had initially been allocated seats side by side, which would have been impossible for the practicality of the situation, and their seats were then changed to across the aisle from each other, with vacant seat next to the disabled passenger at the window (as that seat would have been inaccessible).

Perfectly understandable, and totally acceptable.

 

[amaroo]

Re: What the best seat(s) to choose in First class on A380?

That would perfectly fit the concept of 'operational' reason.

But John O'Neil ?

Particularly as "his" bank knocked me back for a car loan in the eighties :evil: Forcing me to pay Holden a ridiculously high interest rate :evil: .......25 years later - he stole my 3K

Still - I've aged better than he has