Qantas Domestic Emergency Row Seat Allocation

[AdMEL]

Is anyone able to shed some light on why I would have been allocated an emergency row seat at check-in using the self service check-in kiosk at the airport, without pre-booking (and paying)?

I'm 6'9", so an emergency row is pretty much a necessity, but for short flights (MEL-HBA, MEL-LST, MEL-ADL, MEL-SYD), I'm happy to not pay the fee and hope that I can amend my OLCI allocated seat to an emergency row seat at the airport at no cost, which usually happens, often without even asking, when I front up at the counter! I can cope with a normal seat for a short flight, in need.

Flight was QF 467 from SYD to MEL 7.30pm Monday 8/3/2010 (Public holiday in Melbourne). As I was on holidays in the Blue Mountains for the long weekend (MEL-SYD flight on 6/3/10 was on DJ), I did not have internet access, except via my Nokia E71. I tried to check-in on the way to the airport, but having not flown Qantas in a couple of years, I'm not familar with their online check-in and couldn't get it to work on my Nokia (Can't wait for all airlines to start using mobile check-in!).

Due to underestimating the Sydney traffic and not being able to find a service station near the airport to re-fuel my Avis hire car, I ended up arriving at the airport at about 6.55pm (35 min. prior to flight) and was directed to the self service kiosk, which spat out an emergency row allocation (not a boarding pass), to be verified by staff. I later overheard someone talking about their business class boarding pass - it appeared that they had been upgraded.

Plane was an A330-200 and appeared to be very full.

I'm QFF bronze and was travelling with a companion who does not have QFF membership. Ticket purchased was a Red-e deal.

Was my good fortune due to the flight being full and my lateness (usually it works the other way!), or some other reason?

 

[anat0l]

I'd say you got lucky.

I don't know exactly how emergency exit rows get released and what not. When I was still a QF NB (this is post-Altea but pre the current system where you pay for exit row seating), it was possible, albeit very difficult, for me to select an exit row seat. This was at OLCI; never tried it at the airport.

Considering that you're able to switch into one, I don't see why you couldn't check into one too.

No idea how this can be connected to (a) load on the flight, and/or (b) how late or early you check-in.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Altea will randomly allocate exit rows to pax irrespective of their mode of checkin ie it could happen OLCI, at airport kiosk or even being checked in by a 'real' person which still happens in some places.

AFAIK QF are not charging for exit rows domestically & apparently they won't on the 737 as you must have at least 8 able bodied pax in these rows before the aircraft can depart. If they charged for these seats they may not fill them up otherwise.

Not sure whether pax can physically select an exit row via OCLI or at kiosks at this stage.

If you are in an exit row you will need to front up to airport staff so they can print you a boarding pass after verifying you're able bodied etc & happy to sit in an exit row.

IMHO what time you check-in is irrelevant but would have though exits would've been long gone at minus 35. Someone in the exit seat you got could've just done an ODU in QP moments prior to you checking in.

Cheers

Oz

 

[NM]

Is anyone able to shed some light on why I would have been allocated an emergency row seat at check-in using the self service check-in kiosk at the airport, without pre-booking (and paying)?

There is no option to pre-book or to pay for an exit row on domestic flights. That option is only available for international flights.

Someone has to be allocated to the exit row. You just happened to be one of the lucky ones on that particular flight. Generally, the system places high-status people towards the front (most have a "forward" preference in their profile), so exit rows often go to Silver or Bronze members.

 

[dejium]

This happened to me also - a couple of weeks ago doing CBR-ADL. Very surprised doing OLCI, but happy enough to take it. I always ask for an exit row anyway, with about 80% success, so I was thinking QF have just got fed up with me asking and just added a note to my record. Being a QP NB probably doesn't hurt either.

Props to the QF Check-In desk at CBR too: I was originally offered a middle seat exit row seat ADL-PER, but knowing the flight had a light load load I suggested that I didn't mind a row to myself to the rear of the aircraft. Done and done - no problems. Upon boarding in ADL, it was clear that the flight had filled up, with less than 8 spare seats - lo and behold noone else in my row. Needless to say, I was very pleased that the seats had been kept clear - whether by luck or by some marker against those extra 2 seats.

We should enjoy these strange but refreshingly pleasant allocations- they may never happen again! (especially for those of us who will never be any more than NB)

 

[hollydavid69]

Here Here

The other week, i went from Brisvegas to Hobart via Sydney on QF & back again a week later. At check in Brisbane, i was given a exit row seat for the first leg of my trip with out even asking for it, (i was like ) & coming back, upon asking at check in i had both exit rows for the flights back to Brisvegas, i'm down the bottom of the pecking order, being a QP NB & fly on Red E Deals (my motto is why pay more ?) so i walked off the flights a happy camper, despite the lack of food offered on board.

 

[oz_mark]

Some times you get lucky

(Air Asia recently sat me in an exit row and I certainly hadn't paid for it, or indeed any seat at all)

 

[Davo70]

This happened to me also - a couple of weeks ago doing CBR-ADL. Very surprised doing OLCI, but happy enough to take it.

Experienced this at OLCI as well. Can't recall what a/c type.
It wasn't really in line with my forward seating preference so (at the risk of declaring this and copping a "what the ?" from those who hanker for exit rows) I gave it up.