Qantas Increases Legroom Charges; Changes to Row 4 selection on most 737 flights

[theairlineshow]

Yes, it has been like that for some time.

I first noticed this about the time this was introduced for WP back in April.

Up until end of 2024, I've always been able to see row 4 and 5 - even if row 4 was marked as Extra Legroom. In this booking today, the seat map starts at Row 6 (like the screenshot)

 

[serfty]

Up until end of 2024, I've always been able to see row 4 and 5 - even if row 4 was marked as Extra Legroom. In this booking today, the seat map starts at Row 6 (like the screenshot)

YMMV ... As I indicated, I have not been able to see row 4 on domestic QF 737's for seat selection using their "Manage Booking" until T-80. This is since the change that was the genesis of this thread.

 

[SYD]

I have 2x upcoming SYD-MEL (ret) and row 4 & 5 show for me in both app (iOS) and website (albeit blocked for now).

There is the odd situation when you’re making the booking and go to seat selection and it starts at row 6 (well, for me anyway). But pretty sure you can scroll up to see row 4 & 5.

 

[elanshin]

Up until end of 2024, I've always been able to see row 4 and 5 - even if row 4 was marked as Extra Legroom. In this booking today, the seat map starts at Row 6 (like the screenshot)

It's been blocked until T80 for quite a long time now (definitely been the case in 2024). Previous to this change, at T80 it opens up. Now it opens up but needs payment.

The other situation is ofcourse there are 12 P1/CL Pax in Row 4/5 already. Unlikely but always possible.

 

[theairlineshow]

It's been blocked until T80 for quite a long time now (definitely been the case in 2024). Previous to this change, at T80 it opens up. Now it opens up but needs payment.

The other situation is ofcourse there are 12 P1/CL Pax in Row 4/5 already. Unlikely but always possible.

Ok so upon further investigation, at the time of booking, the seat map only shows from row 6. Rows 4/5 just didn’t appear at all. Now when going into manage booking and seat map, 4/5 do appear, but are blocked- not even available for purchase. Let’s see what happens at T80. This is a flight from Syd to OOL on 19 Feb.

 

[theairlineshow]

I have 2x upcoming SYD-MEL (ret) and row 4 & 5 show for me in both app (iOS) and website (albeit blocked for now).

There is the odd situation when you’re making the booking and go to seat selection and it starts at row 6 (well, for me anyway). But pretty sure you can scroll up to see row 4 & 5.

Definitely could not scroll up, which is why I raised this, as was very odd. Now upon going back into the seat map in manage booking, 4/5 do show, but are blocked and not available for purchase..

 

[elanshin]

Ok so upon further investigation, at the time of booking, the seat map only shows from row 6. Rows 4/5 just didn’t appear at all. Now when going into manage booking and seat map, 4/5 do appear, but are blocked- not even available for purchase. Let’s see what happens at T80. This is a flight from Syd to OOL on 19 Feb.

This has always been a WP1 / CL perk not WP perk for quite sometime.

My flight next week doesnt have row 4 open. That being said- i've still managed to slide into it more often than not post changes. Or emergency exit rows if its leg room that matters. One of the 3 rows usually has space if you check at check in.

 

[SYD]

Definitely could not scroll up, which is why I raised this, as was very odd. Now upon going back into the seat map in manage booking, 4/5 do show, but are blocked and not available for purchase..

As @serfty said, it’s been that way for ages (ie several years). But only that initial booking step.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

QF Gold and am always able to select row 5 on SYD-MEL-SYD flights within T80.

 

[Flyfrequently]

QF Gold and am always able to select row 5 on SYD-MEL-SYD flights within T80.

QF Gold, last month still had to pay for Row 4 at T26.
If I had waited till T24, would it have been free or still had to stump up the 45 bucks? ( did get a shadow, so IMO was well worth it.)

 

[#flying]

QF Gold, last month still had to pay for Row 4 at T26.
If I had waited till T24, would it have been free or still had to stump up the 45 bucks? ( did get a shadow, so IMO was well worth it.)

Would have been free if still available at T24.

 

[serfty]

QF Gold, last month still had to pay for Row 4 at T26.
If I had waited till T24, would it have been free or still had to stump up the 45 bucks? ( did get a shadow, so IMO was well worth it.)

WP need to use OLCI to select one of these seats at no charge.

WP process for Domestic 738 booked weeks before the flight:
- Book: May not be even able to "see" Row 4, certainly unable to select.
- T-80: Can select row 4 but need to pay.
- OLCI - can select available Row 4 seating at no charge.

 

[Flyfrequently]

WP need to use OLCI to select one of these seats at no charge.

WP process for Domestic 738 booked weeks before the flight:
- Book: May not be even able to "see" Row 4, certainly unable to select.
- T-80: Can select row 4 but need to pay.
- OLCI - can select available Row 4 seating at no charge.

Thanks @serfty , good info for future reference as I will be WP in May.

 

[goosh]

T-24 for our flight BNE - MEL.

Quickly checked in, went to change seats to grab row 4 where I was surprised to see that we were already allocated Row 4 for our 2 pax trip.

 

[SYD]

Apologies if this has already been answered but can’t find the answer here or the A220 thread, but what’s the go with the first six rows of 2 seats on the A220 opening up for free at OLCI?

The 737 situation is actually bizarre. CL/P1 can select Row 4 (or 5) for free at booking. Some of us (not sure who) can only select Row 4 for a fee inside T-80 but can then get row 4 for free after OLCI…

Booked my first A220 flight for later in the year (2x PAX). Assuming they actually operate as A220 - kinda hoping we can move forward for free….

 

[Flyfrequently]

Data point for E190 flights.
At T-80, I could select row 4 or 5 depending on aircraft layout for a fee ($20 short hop NTL-MEL)
Due to single aisle business class , seat 4/5 B is the one with best leg room.

 

[serfty]

Apologies if this has already been answered but can’t find the answer here or the A220 thread, but what’s the go with the first six rows of 2 seats opening up for free at OLCI?

The 737 situation is actually bizarre. CL/P1 can select Row 4 (or 5) for free at booking. Some of us (not sure who) can only select Row 4 for a fee inside T-80 but can then get row 4 for free after OLCI…

Booked my first A220 flight for later in the year (2x PAX). Assuming they actually operate as A220 - kinda hoping we can move forward for free….

In making a dummy booking for an A220 flight some months out, for me as a WP, row 5 is completely blocked from selection (E/F confirms) but the other "Extra legroom" seats are selectable for a fee.

 

[SYD]

In making a dummy booking for a flight some months out, for me as a WP, row 5 is completely blocked from selection (E/F confirms) but the other "Extra legroom" seats are selectable for a fee.

Is that on the B737? I was asking about A220 and edited my post for clarity.

For A220 at the time of booking and then via MMB, the A/B seats in rows 4 thru 9 are all available to select and pay $35 as an extra legroom seat. After OLCI, can you nab those for free like on B737 Row 4?

 

[funnybrus]

Is that on the B737? I was asking about A220 and edited my post for clarity.

For A220 at the time of booking and then via MMB, the A/B seats in rows 4 thru 9 are all available to select and pay $35 as an extra legroom seat. After OLCI, can you nab those for free like on B737 Row 4?

Free at OLCI as gold, and they're fantastic seats.

 

[SYD]

Free at OLCI as gold, and they're fantastic seats.

Cool. We’re currently parked in row 10(!) and hopefully jump forward later!