Preallocated Economy Domestic seating - happening now?

[simongr]

I split this off from the seat allocation thread in the questions sub-forum as this is a pure QF question. I was under the impression that seats on domestic flights were only ever allocated overnight the day before the flight. I.e. Thursday night for a Friday flight.

I just checked my flight SYD-BNE on 23/9/06 QF175 on www.checkmytrip.com and it said we had seats 49AB allocated. Thinking that was impossible I jumped onto www.expertflyer.com to prove to myself that you couldnt get a seat map for domestic economy and low and behold there is the seat map!

So I have two questions - is this a very new thing? Is it because the flight is close in time to now?

I also have a question on that flight on a 747-400 what is a good seat choice if I move. Mrs Sim wants the window but then I will get middle (49B) so I am thinking 37DE are the best options - at least we dont have to climb over anyone. Everything further forward is already allocated

If this is a new thing I am stunned that it hasnt been mentioned here (sim waits for posts indicating multiple threads on sam etopic )

Cheers

S

P.s. just checked the return flight and got this message...

Pre-assigned seating is not available for this flight because the airline is holding the seat assignments for the gate agent

 

[oz_mark]

QF175 being an international service may have some effect on the seating allocation.

 

[simongr]

Aha! Sorry about that - I got all overexcited for no reason Should have checked that when I booked - could have got better seats

 

[NM]

Yes, you can pre-allocate on the domestic legs of international services. So if flight number is less than QF400 you can indeed pre-allocate seats in all classes with the same restrictions as an international flight, including seats reserved for higher status FF members and the pre-allocation limit being reached.

 

[Dave Noble]

Why not pre-allocate something like 49AC and gamble that noone will take the middle seat. In the unlikely event that someone does, I'm sure that they'd be happy to move to aisle/window

Dave

 

[simongr]

Might be an idea - the 49AC thing - will have to run it past mrs sim first

 

[simongr]

Just another question or two. Given this is a domestic flight on an international plane do I have to go through immigration - how do I bypass immigration?

Also - given this is a very discounted flight (O) and not upgradable using ODU - is there any way to pay extra to get it to a class that I could oDU?

Cheers

S

 

[NM]

Just another question or two. Given this is a domestic flight on an international plane do I have to go through immigration - how do I bypass immigration?

Yes, you have to pass through the Immigration processing. Your boarding pass will be issued with an Orange D sticker on it indicating that you are a domestic passenger. You can use the immigration queue identified as being for domestic passengers. You will need to have valid government issued photo id such as Aussie drivers license (if you are Aussie citizen) or Passport for non-Aussie citizens. This is only used for ID and no stamps inserted.

At the destination end, again show your Orange D stickered boarding pass at Immigration and Customs processing. Just follow the signs for Domestic passengers.

All passengers, whether donestic or international can be subject to quarantine and customs inspections. However, it is most common for Domestic passengers to be permitted to bypass the quarantine and customs checks.

Note that you are not permitted to make duty-free purchases.

Also - given this is a very discounted flight (O) and not upgradable using ODU - is there any way to pay extra to get it to a class that I could oDU?

Depends on the specific fare rules for the fare you have purchased. Check your terms and conditions.

 

[serfty]

... At the destination end, again show your Orange D stickered boarding pass at Immigration and Customs processing. Just follow the signs for Domestic passengers. ...

Note that it is very important you keep your "Orange D stickered boarding pass". Customs will relieve you of it at the very last. If you wish to retain a copy; detatch the Stub (if you still have it) before hand.

 

[kelfly]

newbie question - where do you see your seat allocation on check my trip? I had a look & see my flight but not my seat?

 

[JohnK]

newbie question - where do you see your seat allocation on check my trip? I had a look & see my flight but not my seat?

When looking at your flights on check my trip you will notice a sign at the bottom left of the box of each flight. Click on this and it opens up the flight details including seat allocation. Please note that if flight is purely domestic then seat allocation is not done until the night before the flight and may not show on check my trip.

Qantas Airways QF 71 Wednesday, December 27, 2006
 
FromPerth / Perth (PER), Perth, Western Australia Australia 3:30 PM
ToSingapore / [URL="https://www.checkmytrip.com/ITN/CmtItinerarySummaryServlet#"]Changi (SIN), Singapore Singapore [/URL]8:45 PM Terminal: 1 
 
StatusConfirmed
CabinCoach
Aircraft[URL="https://www.checkmytrip.com/ITN/CmtItinerarySummaryServlet#"]Airbus Industrie A330-300 [/URL]
Flight duration5:15
Mileage2420 miles [URL="https://www.checkmytrip.com/ITN/CmtItinerarySummaryServlet#"]Disclaimer[/URL] 
Stop(s)0 
MealLunch
Seat(s) [URL="https://www.checkmytrip.com/ITN/CmtItinerarySummaryServlet#"]23J - Non-smoking
[/URL]
[URL="https://www.checkmytrip.com/ITN/CmtItinerarySummaryServlet#"]Monthly Averages[/URL] High: 88°F Low: 73°F
Rainfall: 10.1 "
[CENTER][URL="https://www.checkmytrip.com/ITN/CmtItinerarySummaryServlet#"]Currency[/URL] 1.0 AUD = 1.192 SGD[/CENTER]
Dialling codes:
                                          » From Perth To Singapore: 0011 65 
[CENTER]» From Singapore To Perth: 001 61 [/CENTER]
Trip tools:
[URL="https://www.checkmytrip.com/ITN/CmtItinerarySummaryServlet#"]Subway map[/URL]

 

[kelfly]

Thanx for that. Checked again & my flight (tomorrow) shows only as non-smoking... Guess I'll have to wait.

 

[simongr]

Yes, you have to pass through the Immigration processing. Your boarding pass will be issued with an Orange D sticker on it indicating that you are a domestic passenger. You can use the immigration queue identified as being for domestic passengers. You will need to have valid government issued photo id such as Aussie drivers license (if you are Aussie citizen) or Passport for non-Aussie citizens. This is only used for ID and no stamps inserted.

Hmm - how long do I need to factor in the time through immigration? As per other threads this seems to take a long time at Sydney - and I have booked my car based on my usual be at the airport 1 hour before take off plan. This may not be the best plan now This flight is not looking fun now

 

[Dave Noble]

Hmm - how long do I need to factor in the time through immigration? As per other threads this seems to take a long time at Sydney - and I have booked my car based on my usual be at the airport 1 hour before take off plan. This may not be the best plan now This flight is not looking fun now

It takes v little time to go through immigration as a domestic passenger. At SYD, as you go doen the passage to the immigration hall, rather than turn left into the main immigration area, as a domestic passenger, you can turn right to the APEC/Domestic area and you'll be through in no time

I have taken that flight ( and QF2 to MEL when it ran ) at that time of day on saturdays and it as never taken long to get through; 1 hour and you'll be fine

Dave

 

[simongr]

Thanks - that should make things easier

 

[Dave Noble]

Thanks - that should make things easier

No worries. A few posts ago u asked about changing your O class so that u can upgrade. If you do wish to upgrade, there is currently availability to upgrade on that flight (showing U6 at the moment ). I believe that you can upgrade without waitlisting for the domestic portion of an international flight

Dave

 

[serfty]

Thanx for that. Checked again & my flight (tomorrow) shows only as non-smoking... Guess I'll have to wait.

It can't hurt to ask ... Call up and request a seat; they will either do so or not.

 

[kelfly]

Thanx Serfty. Didn't see your reply till now!! Needless to say, I sat waaaay down the back... I gather seat allocation is based somewhat on price paid for ticket? I have to go supercheaply..

 

[serfty]

Thanx Serfty. Didn't see your reply till now!! Needless to say, I sat waaaay down the back... I gather seat allocation is based somewhat on price paid for ticket? I have to go supercheaply..

No, if you can preallocate, you can generally choose from any available seating in most of the cabin except for the 15% or so that QF reserve at the front for QP NB, QF PS and above.

 

[kelfly]

ok, thanx, I'll remember that next time.