Qantas to charge passengers extra for exit row seats

[Alanslegal]

With all this Whopper talk, I must admit that I ate a Whopper burger earlier for lunch today. It was juicy and rich - but still not as good as a Fatburger

 

[Commuter]

The way I see it is now QF will reserve the 1st row for Platinums, the 2nd row for Golds and the rest is a free for all. As a Platinum I have been able to get the 1st or 2nd row of WHY when booking close to departure and then switching to exit row seat. I can't see that happening with the new system.

I have just been allocating seats to myself. Exit rows were available but I don't do domestic exit rows - not a lot of point. I had difficulties getting Row 1 and even Row 2 in some cases.

I wish Qantas blocked a bit more for WPs. I don't really like sitting too far down the back unless there is a good reason (e.g. 58c on 747).

I don't see the domestic preallocation as being as big a deal as exit row issue because even as a WP I did not often get a good seat in the past (I never requested anything in advance anyway, but even at OLCI I couldn't always get 4C/4D, and sometimes even as far back as 9C/9D, although I never suffered the 'middle seat'). So even Row 3 semi-guaranteed (I know it's not 'really' guaranteed) is even a bit of an improvement for me.

However, I can see that they need to improve the seat pre-allocation a bit, for instance, blocking aisle and window seats in Row 1 and 2 for WPs (if not even Row 3) and then to Row 4 and 5 and middle seat in Row 1 and 2 for WP/SGs etc.

 

[JohnK]

I have just been allocating seats to myself. Exit rows were available but I don't do domestic exit rows - not a lot of point. I had difficulties getting Row 1 and even Row 2 in some cases.

I should have been clearer. I was actually referring to international flights and the ability to get aisle seats close to the front of WHY when booking close to departure and then change the request to exit row and the request granted within a couple of hours.

I agree domestic exit row does nothing for me. I would like to be able to get row 23 aisle on 767s and row 4 aisle on 737s, don't we all, and I have been doing quite OK using OLCI any number of times until one of the front WHY seats became vacant.

 

[simongr]

And from memory you do most of your travel in business class. Personally I think anyone that travels mainly in business class or first class would not be affected with these changes and really should stay out of this debate as it does not concern them.

As someone who travels predominantly in WHY I feel these changes are significant to warrant concern on my part and I will need to make a judgement call at some stage. So as a Platinum do I accept being treated like a nobody from QF or should I go where my business is appreciated? We shall wait and see what the changes bring before making that decision....

Is the change that simple? The way I see it is now QF on international flights will reserve the 1st row for Platinums, the 2nd row for Golds and the rest is a free for all. As a Platinum I have been able to get the 1st or 2nd row of WHY when booking close to departure and then switching to exit row seat. I can't see that happening with the new system.

I think non-whY travelling pax do have input to this. If QF are trying to increase revenue, it has to come from somewhere. QF could take from the published benefits or from the non-published benefits. I for one am happy for them to take it from the published benefits in the same way that you would not be that fussed by the removal of express immigration.

 

[oz_mark]

Reactions like this one buried in the middle of an ABC report are a worry

Another passenger says she normally requests the seats for health reasons.

"I think it's rather rich that they should be charging such a huge amount of money I think for, I mean I travel overseas quite often and to be charged that kind of money for another six inches in space," she said.

"I have arthritic knees and my sister, both her and I, she's had two knee replacements so we like to have a bit of extra room. But to have to fork out $320, I mean that is a lot of money."

Tempers sky-high over Qantas leg-room charges - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[Commuter]

"I have arthritic knees and my sister, both her and I, she's had two knee replacements so we like to have a bit of extra room.

If are having problems with their knees, they should not even be considering or be considered suitable for being seated in the exit row, regardless of the costs or the lack thereof.

 

[oz_mark]

If are having problems with their knees, they should not even be considering or be considered suitable for being seated in the exit row, regardless of the costs or the lack thereof.

From the report, it sounds like they have and are now complaining of having to pay!

 

[Commuter]

From the report, it sounds like they have and are now complaining of having to pay!

This is a concern (and a breach of CASA safety regulations, I believe), if they are deemed suitable by QF to sit in the exit row if they are indeed having substantial enough problems.

Well, it's kind of good that people consider $80-160 excessive.

How about QF twisting this situation into giving WPs 'real value item' that they sell, i.e. make it $160 per sector (so if they do get the money, then QF benefit quite a bit), and giving it free of charge and with priorty to WPs? Then they can say "Look, we've enhanced our programme and we are now giving WPs even more value by letting them have those seats free!" even though it's been an unwritten benefit anyway.

I, to be honest, don't mind paying extra as long as it's not a silly amount, although of course I'd rather not pay. Then again if it's within $500 of BA WT+, then I'd rather go BA WT+ even if the QF economy exit row is available, especially if BA WT+ has the exit row.

 

[vt01]

I'm travelling up to Shanghai on 9th June and just called the premium desk to request an exit row window seat. I was told that my request would need to be passed to seat allocation to see if it could be released and would take 24 hours. No mention of any charge for requesting the exit row. So now I guess I wait and see if they call me back once allocated and ask me to pay.
I've also requested an upgrade to business on the overnight return flight so if they do decide to charge me and the upgrade comes through, I wonder whether I would get a refund.
Also, I wonder what QF would do if they had a request from a non-premium passenger who was willing to pay for the exit row would they bump me back to economy or perhaps up to J .
This could be a new strategy - request exit row in the hope QF needs it and bumps you up to PE or J :shock::shock:

Time will tell....

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Joice explains move

"Qantas is not leading the way, we are following other carriers and we think there is a revenue opportunity and its making sure that we earn every piece of revenue we can in the current environment."

 

[mannej]

Joice explains move

Were SQ not one of the first airlines to charge for the exit row?

I always find it funny that people say they will move to SQ, when SQ do the exact same thing themselves

For the record, I have only been in Row 35 of a 763 once, and there is not much benefit to being in that exit row, apart from the lack of someone reclining infront of you. I know that QF do use 763's on PER-NRT and one or two other international runs, so I would think that money would be a waste if you were to get that row on a 763.

 

[turtlemichael]

Joice explains move

His argument would do the MD of a LCC proud. (Hang on, he is the MD of a LCC) It can equally be applied to any other aspect of travelling on Qantas which the airline decides should be separately "charged".

I also find his comments about the airport owners (charging for every service) a bit rich given Qantas is now behaving in an identical fashion.

 

[Dave Noble]

For the record, I have only been in Row 35 of a 763 once, and there is not much benefit to being in that exit row, apart from the lack of someone reclining infront of you. I know that QF do use 763's on PER-NRT and one or two other international runs, so I would think that money would be a waste if you were to get that row on a 763.

The extra space on row 35 makes it a lot more comfortable imo


Dave

 

[dajop]

Were SQ not one of the first airlines to charge for the exit row?

I always find it funny that people say they will move to SQ, when SQ do the exact same thing themselves

The distinction may be subtle, but for many member here this about two way loyalty and the removal of an (yes UNPUBLISHED - but still PRACTICED) benefit of being an elite member, so therefore one less reason to pay extra $$$ to maintain that elite membership.

I can tell you as a SQ PPS member that exit row seat allocation wasn't part of the loyalty equation . Before (they started charging) it was never a certainty that I could get an exit row assigned in Y. And they never suggested I could, it was purely at my request (curiously before I was PPS or a star alliance anything I had a 100% hit rate at getting an exit row - after getting PPS reduced to 50%. Go figure) Whereas my hit rate on QF has been 100%, and (when dealing with the Premium Desk), I first found out about it as something they offered platinums. As with other members if QF can offer preferential access to WP's even with the charge, it would be tolerable. But if it's a free for all that's a different matter, and one less reason to be loyal to QF.

 

[Dave Noble]

The distinction may be subtle, but for many member here this about two way loyalty and the removal of an (yes UNPUBLISHED - but still PRACTICED) benefit of being an elite member, so therefore one less reason to pay extra $$$ to maintain that elite membership.

But I doubt that many people pay extra $ to maintain the membership but maintain it by virtue of the travel that they are doing

maybe some people will defect to other carriers, but I suspect that the number will be low

Even so, consider.... there has been NO statement from Qantas yet that indicates that Platinum members will lose the benefit. There may be no impact to Platinum members

Dave

 

[Evan]

Were SQ not one of the first airlines to charge for the exit row?

I always find it funny that people say they will move to SQ, when SQ do the exact same thing themselves
<..>

Yes, SQ were one of the first.

My point was that if the price is the same and i can't get an exit row on either airline i am going to choose the one with the better seat or times or whatever, now in this case what do you think is better QF 744 or SQ 77W ?? Since i cent get the seat i want in either i will take the one that on average has better seats, this being the 77W config. However if i can get to choose some of the best seats in whY on the QF 744 then thats better than just any seat on a SQ 77W.

 

[codash1099]

Joice explains move

Quote:
"Qantas is not leading the way, we are following other carriers and we think there is a revenue opportunity and its making sure that we earn every piece of revenue we can in the current environment."

Does he expect us to think that this makes it a good thing? If QF really want to use that argument as a basis for decision making, they should extend it to the good things their competitors do.

 

[mannej]

The extra space on row 35 makes it a lot more comfortable imo


Dave

Being on a 763 for anything longer then a PER-MEL/SYD run is uncomfortable no matter what seat

I am not doubting the benefits of the exit row, I just dont like the 763 that is all!

 

[Flashback]

Being on a 763 for anything longer then a PER-MEL/SYD run is uncomfortable no matter what seat

I am not doubting the benefits of the exit row, I just dont like the 763 that is all!

I disagree, I found 24F v. comfortable and slept all the way from PER-NRT

 

[dajop]

But I doubt that many people pay extra $ to maintain the membership but maybe some people will defect to other carriers, but I suspect that the number will be low

I agree with you on this.

Maybe if DJ were closer to more encompassing international alliances with recripocal elite benefits, had a handul more lounges the equation might be different. But I hope there comes a a point one day where QF (and I might add SQ, if you read the SQ section of Flyertalk, elites there are even more cynical than many of us are here ) have to start adding benefits rather than at the moment where it appears they are always taking them away (and I don't just mean putting a wall up in QP and serving some pancakes for breakfast )