Qantas New Check In Seating Allocation

[JohnK]

Sounds like check my trip isn't in real time and maybe only shows original seats you were allocated at the time of booking.

Yes and no. I think Checkmytrip to a certain point is very accurate but can get itself into a twist, as has been reported by many people on AFF a number of times, and no software application is bug free.

For what it is worth I booked a Oneworld award for 2 people yesterday and within a few minutes Checkmytrip was showing 24JK allocated. I called QF today and requested the bulkhead as well as a request for exit row. Checkmytrip is now showing 23JK allocated but no sign of the exit row processed yet.

So in my experience Checkmytrip is updating real time....

 

[Mal]

So in my experience Checkmytrip is updating real time....

It updates until the airports take control of a flight in my experience.

So, get moved when checking in or just before? Not shown on Checkmytrip .

 

[serfty]

It updates until the airports take control of a flight in my experience.

So, get moved when checking in or just before? Not shown on Checkmytrip .

Qantas copy their seat allocation data from Amadeus to their own internal system sometime between 12 and 24 hours before an international flight. They then "resolve" a seat plan solution depending upon varying circumstance. Further changes can be done either through Amadeus or internally. All changes via Amadeus must comply with the seating solution or a seating error is raised. Those internal changes and are not always reflected back to Amadeus.

 

[Timtammi]

If you are on a 744 isn't 58H an exit row aisle? Who ended up sitting where?

I was on the separate PNR and preallocated 49C, that is where I sat.
The other 2 travellers (QG and NB) were on the other PNR. The QG was moved to an aisle seat which I thought was 58H but it was the row behind the exit row so may have been 59H. The NB was left in 49B.

When the tickets were booked we were preallocated seats apart but we contacted QF and had them all moved together to 49ABC. This was a few months ago. Those seats showed as confirmed in checkmytrip right up to boarding but we found the 49A to 50-whatever H had been moved on checking-in.

The comments above about the airline taking over the seating withing a certain time before flight make sense based on our experience.

Cheers

 

[JohnK]

I think I am getting close to figuring out the logic of this new check-in seating allocation system named Altea. Someone thinks they have done a great job designing it but if that is truly the case then the implementation is just pure garbage.

I have a flight BNE-SYD tomorrow at 14:45 on what is an international configuration 767 and I was allocated 28D. I used OLCI at 14:46 and there were 7 vacant aisle seats in front of me. Why? How? There could not have been that many people change flights and if anyone used OLCI before me where did they go? By the way only 1 other aisle seat was allocated way down the back at the time. I had a choice of 23K, 24J or 25B and some others so I chose 25B as there is no-one in front of me.

I have just used OLCI again to see if I can improve my seat and every aisle seat in front of 28D is allocated. What is going on here? It would appear that anyone who has used OLCI has been able to snap up the remaining 5 aisle seats in front of row 28.

I thought with this new system everyone was given a value rating and someone with a lower value rating could not get to a seat in front of someone with a higher value rating. There is something no quite right with this system and I hope it is not being used for international flights.

Any Qantas lurkers reading this thread? Fix your so called state of the art seating allocation system....

 

[simongr]

Well I have at least figured out why I have been allocated window seats at the back - the Corp TA had not put forward aisle in my travel preferences...

 

[Blackadder]

Just having a look at CMT for my up coming SYD-LAX-SYD flights with QF, haven't been allocated a seat SYD-LAX (I am assuming due to putting in a upgrade request from Y+) on the return 36K, as a mere NB just happy to avoid the self serve bar, toilets, galley.

 

[serfty]

... flights with QF, haven't been allocated a seat SYD-LAX (I am assuming due to putting in a upgrade request from Y+) ...

That assumption is borbably incorrectl; how soon is this flight? It could be seat pre allocation has limit for non status Y PAX on this flight has been reached.

 

[Blackadder]

Travelling Y+ plus both ways dep 26th April (for which the upgrade request has been made, no seat allocation), returning May 22nd (where the seat has been already allocated, no upgrade request)

 

[serfty]

Presuming QF11, Apr 26 is showing:

R4 F4 A0 J9 C9 D0 I0 W5 T0 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 QC OC XC E0

I would suggest the pre-allocation limit has been reached here and only those with status can get allocation.

I presume QF12 in may; I suppose the allocation limit had not been reached when you booked.

You could try calling Qantas and making a request for QF11, but I do not like your chances - the only non exit unallocated seats are 37D and 39F.

 

[significance]

A Brisbane - Perth flight I took a few months ago I noticed everyone in the exit isle was over 6'4" tall. They arrived separately and weren't travelling together so the "basketball team theory" was out.

Made me wonder if tall people get tagged in the system to get priority in those seats.

JOBU

I'm 5'2" and I get allocated an exit row seat on 1/4 to 1/3 of my flights. They are wasted on me, of course.

 

[Blackadder]

Presuming QF11, Apr 26 is showing:

R4 F4 A0 J9 C9 D0 I0 W5 T0 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 QC OC XC E0

I would suggest the pre-allocation limit has been reached here and only those with status can get allocation.

I presume QF12 in may; I suppose the allocation limit had not been reached when you booked.

You could try calling Qantas and making a request for QF11, but I do not like your chances - the only non exit unallocated seats are 37D and 39F.

Yes QF 11/12, not holding my breath on a allocation for the QF 11 so pot luck there what I get, at least I am in a position where I can do the MR to pick up some status.

 

[serfty]

Yes QF 11/12, not holding my breath on a allocation for the QF 11 so pot luck there what I get, at least I am in a position where I can do the MR to pick up some status.

One thing in your favor is that all 5 row 38 exit seats are currently free.


I would:

1. Call and ask for an exit row seat request be inserted into your booking, and
2. check in early and ask for one if not already allocated as a result of 1.

here's a 388 seat map: http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/ourAircraft/A380-14F72J32PY332Y.pdf

 

[Blackadder]

Thanks for the advice, will get on to QF and see about the exit row seating (the upgrade to business is looking like it is not going to happen).

 

[JohnK]

Another reminder to check your seat allocation at all times.

I had 28D for yesterday's BNE-SYD flight and changed to 25B before changing again to 23E, aisle seat, on international configuration 767.

Flight was delayed ~2 hours and no reported issues with seat allocation. I was one of the last to board and I ended up with middle seat 23E due to late aircraft substitution. Lucky a couple of passengers did not board flight and I was able to sit in 32J....

 

[Blackadder]

Interestingly after having no seat allocation on my outbound leg from SYD, now allocated 37D.

 

[Tooner]

Another reminder to check your seat allocation at all times.

I had 28D for yesterday's BNE-SYD flight and changed to 25B before changing again to 23E, aisle seat, on international configuration 767.

Flight was delayed ~2 hours and no reported issues with seat allocation. I was one of the last to board and I ended up with middle seat 23E due to late aircraft substitution. Lucky a couple of passengers did not board flight and I was able to sit in 32J....

I reckon this is the bane of the OLCIer - check in on-line, make sure you get the best seat, then the aircraft changes and, wammo, you'll have 47E sir, thanks for coming.

Only once have I been fortunate that the 2 red lights at the gate lead to a ride in the big blue (or grey as they now are) seat. On Friday night actually. Every other time it is "please see Steve, Kevin etc a the desk and they'll find you a seat".

What do I think they should do - an sms to re-check would be a good idea, especially as re-checking is a doddle in J lounges.

[steps off soapbox]:-|

 

[JohnK]

I reckon this is the bane of the OLCIer - check in on-line, make sure you get the best seat, then the aircraft changes and, wammo, you'll have 47E sir, thanks for coming.

Exactly. I spend my valuable time trying to get the best possible seat and in the end through no fault of my own I end up with garbage, late and told to like it or lump it....