QF now charging WP for all Exit Row economy seats [CL/WP1 exempt]

[Ansett]

Had my bid now accepted for QF626 on Thursday afternoon. My last free exit row. Travelling with my boss who said you could have given it to me When she checked in she'd been allocated 13A. Got to her seat and someone was sitting in it. FA arrived and asked if she'd be ok moving as the person now in 13A had some kind of issue with her knee and needed to keep it stretched out!! My boss asked where was the move to and told 12A. She questioned the FA about the ER 'fit and able' requirements and literally got no response about that but was told she'd be reimbursed for the er seat payment, that she hadn't paid (ha!) Boss decided it wasn't worth arguing over. I actually think that I would have stood my ground, specifically on the fit and able issue. If that person need stretch room their choice was business, or fly VA...

That is disgusting and I would be reporting that as feedback to Qantas.....

 

[Pleb Status]

That is disgusting and I would be reporting that as feedback to Qantas.....

Should be reported to CASA that QF are putting 'unsuitable' pax in exit row seats....

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Had my bid now accepted for QF626 on Thursday afternoon. My last free exit row. Travelling with my boss who said you could have given it to me When she checked in she'd been allocated 13A. Got to her seat and someone was sitting in it. FA arrived and asked if she'd be ok moving as the person now in 13A had some kind of issue with her knee and needed to keep it stretched out!! My boss asked where was the move to and told 12A.

She questioned the FA about the ER 'fit and able' requirements and literally got no response about that but was told she'd be reimbursed for the er seat payment, that she hadn't paid (ha!) Boss decided it wasn't worth arguing over. I actually think that I would have stood my ground, specifically on the fit and able issue. If that person need stretch room their choice was business, or fly VA...

When airlines market emergency exit seats as 'extra leg room seats' I can understand passengers wanting them without wanting the safety responsibilities however I would certainly expect the crew to enforce the eligibility requirements. If someone needs more leg room to stretch out the next best thing would be to either get row 4 or have a seat in a regular row with spare seat next to them that would allow them to stretch their leg sideways.

 

[bigjobs]

how long and difficult is the slog to get decent status with Virgin? that's the question I have as a LTG QFF.

 

[dairyfloss]

how long and difficult is the slog to get decent status with Virgin? that's the question I have as a LTG QFF.

VA are giving away 'Explore Gold' status like candy, at the moment, you basically just need to have a flybuys account and/or apply for a Coles credit card. If you like what you experience, then you just secure 80 SCs in that trial period to lock in another 12 months of full SG. From there, it takes less SCs to get to WP as it does with QF, plus you can pool your family's SCs together to get there. If you are a domestic flyer, and especially one that travels with a family group, then I'd suggest not that long, and not that difficult. YMMV!

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[JohnK]

Hmmm....have had no problems getting Row 4 at T-80 before, now showing as blocked on Expert Flyer.

I've managed to get 4D for Friday nights flight BNE-SYD. I have on occassions not been able to get row 4 at all. Could be busy flights or other factors we don't know.

 

[Anna]

Should be reported to CASA that QF are putting 'unsuitable' pax in exit row seats....

I think this is quite common. I have seen QF FAs bring an old lady with bandaged leg and walking stick to sit in the exit row. When I raised an eyebrow I was told 'she needs to stretch her leg out' :shock:

 

[eastwest101]

I think this is quite common. I have seen QF FAs bring an old lady with bandaged leg and walking stick to sit in the exit row. When I raised an eyebrow I was told 'she needs to stretch her leg out' :shock:

:shock:
If that did happen as you say the relevant FA needs a refresher on CASA regulations

 

[Happy Trails]

Seems it's advice rather than regulation.

https://www.casa.gov.au/standard-page/seating-information

CASA does not currently have any regulations, (other than for passengers who are handicapped and for infants), specifically related to who may be seated at an over-wing exit row on an aircraft.
CASA does, however, recognise that a passenger seated in an emergency exit row may be called upon to assist crew members in the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation and provides advice to airlines on the criteria for appropriate passengers to be seated in over-wing exit rows.
This includes:

• able-bodied
• a minimum of 15 years old
• can understand and converse in English
• are not travelling with an infant
• are not travelling with someone who requires their assistance in an emergency
• are willing to provide assistance to cabin crew and other passengers in the event of an emergency.

Cabin crew can move a passenger if they do not meet the criteria and passengers can also asked to be moved to another seat if they are uncomfortable with the requirements of being an over-wing exit row passenger.
CASA is currently drafting new regulations in Part 121, which will contain specific regulations regarding exit rows.

 

[Ansett]

Seems it's advice rather than regulation.

https://www.casa.gov.au/standard-page/seating-information

CASA does not currently have any regulations, (other than for passengers who are handicapped and for infants), specifically related to who may be seated at an over-wing exit row on an aircraft.
CASA does, however, recognise that a passenger seated in an emergency exit row may be called upon to assist crew members in the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation and provides advice to airlines on the criteria for appropriate passengers to be seated in over-wing exit rows.
This includes:

• able-bodied
• a minimum of 15 years old
• can understand and converse in English
• are not travelling with an infant
• are not travelling with someone who requires their assistance in an emergency
• are willing to provide assistance to cabin crew and other passengers in the event of an emergency.

Cabin crew can move a passenger if they do not meet the criteria and passengers can also asked to be moved to another seat if they are uncomfortable with the requirements of being an over-wing exit row passenger.
CASA is currently drafting new regulations in Part 121, which will contain specific regulations regarding exit rows.

WOW one would have thought there would have been regulations in place already...

 

[calmelb]

WOW one would have thought there would have been regulations in place already...

However it seems if you read into it, that there may be regulations for "handicapped passengers". Could that mean that passengers with a hurt leg are handicapped and thus come under that regulation?

 

[Albion]

Once again, nothing apart from charging for exit rows has changed. The same algorithm is there, and nothing has been amended.

Tried at T80 to get row 4 for a flight to Perth and no seat plan available only a choice of window or isle. Checked a few flights in the future and no seat plan available for any 737 flights.

 

[mannej]

Tried at T80 to get row 4 for a flight to Perth and no seat plan available only a choice of window or isle. Checked a few flights in the future and no seat plan available for any 737 flights.

That suggests either the flight is full, an equipment change or that there may be something amiss with the ticketing of that booking.

 

[kevrosmith]

Tried at T80 to get row 4 for a flight to Perth and no seat plan available only a choice of window or isle. Checked a few flights in the future and no seat plan available for any 737 flights.

Apparently it's a bug and if you try it on the App, the seat map will come up. YMMV

 

[ric_melb]

Seems to be a bug with some browsers. Others report success using the App as kevrosmith says or an alternative browser. I have had a problem in Safari, but could view seat map in IE.

 

[Albion]

Seems to be a bug with some browsers. Others report success using the App as kevrosmith says or an alternative browser. I have had a problem in Safari, but could view seat map in IE.

Tried two different browsers also two different Qantas Apps still no success. It seems to be only on 737 flights as I could get the seat map up on a future A330 flight. Sorry if I'm a bit thick but what is IE or is there another App to try.

 

[kermatu]

Tried two different browsers also two different Qantas Apps still no success. It seems to be only on 737 flights as I could get the seat map up on a future A330 flight. Sorry if I'm a bit thick but what is IE or is there another App to try.

IE is internet explorer (default browser for Windows systems).

 

[DrAndyC]

Argh....as a WP who does a hell of a lot of domestic legs to get Platinum (and about 85% in Y).... this really does suck a LOT. I appreciate the exit room, particularly when flying so often (sometimes 4 a day re: connections)......in fact I almost always sit in 14C on 737s and 717s. The level of domestic travel has also gotten me Virgin SG mind you. Time to share the basket a bit more perhaps. I know we are spoilt, but it is sad. I often pay the extra 4.50 or 4.90 or whatever for REX, but $20?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Argh....as a WP who does a hell of a lot of domestic legs to get Platinum (and about 85% in Y).... this really does suck a LOT. I appreciate the exit room, particularly when flying so often (sometimes 4 a day re: connections)......in fact I almost always sit in 14C on 737s and 717s.

The level of domestic travel has also gotten me Virgin SG mind you. Time to share the basket a bit more perhaps. I know we are spoilt, but it is sad. I often pay the extra 4.50 or 4.90 or whatever for REX, but $20?

Getting row 4 and or exits to/from PER is more of a challenge due to high volume of FIFO pax with status unless "the new sheila at work" hasn't put the ff number in their booking.

If available QF doesn't charge for exit rows when doing OLCI or at airport kiosks whereas VA does.

 

[Pleb Status]

If available QF doesn't charge for exit rows when doing OLCI or at airport kiosks whereas VA does.

Unless you are a WP and then they are always free.....