Refurbed A380 seat choices in Y - be careful!

[Max Samuels]

Thought I would share with you all this annoying first world problem...... I am flying MEL-LAX in December on QFA380 in Y. Obviously I had selected seats in the "mini" Y cabin on the upper deck. Anyway, yesterday when I went to look at my booking I noticed my seat selections had been changed to just random seats on the lower deck!!! When I went to choose better seats, the upper deck mini Y cabin was available so I re-selected my original seats.

So I am assuming that at one point the operating aircraft had been changed to the new A380, which automatically cancelled my seat requests as there is no row 33 in the new aircraft for Y. Then at some later point the operating aircraft was changed back to an older aircraft with the upper deck mini Y cabin.... but they didn't move me back up there.

So... I guess that I will need to keep a constant eye on the flight.... *sigh*.... you would think that QF in their wisdom would at least move me to a "good" seat on the lower deck.... they just randomly put me in an aisle when my original selection had been a window.... good one QF.

 

[levelnine]

Yes, this is going to be a problem for elite Y travellers for the next year or so. Very frustrating that Qantas' IT systems handle aircraft changes so poorly.

Same thing happens when a domestic A320 is downgraded to a B737. You get put at the back of the bus even though you had selected front of cabin.

 

[Austman]

I had the same issue/concern. I was recently on QF94 LAX-MEL A380.

I kept a daily eye on the seating!

In my case it always showed the upstairs mini-cabin. But as the refurbs progress, this is only going to get worse!

 

[TheInsider]

Yes, this is going to be a problem for elite Y travellers for the next year or so. Very frustrating that Qantas' IT systems handle aircraft changes so poorly.

Same thing happens when a domestic A320 is downgraded to a B737. You get put at the back of the bus even though you had selected front of cabin.

When it comes down to it, it has zero to do with Qantas IT. It's Amadeus and they are working on a fix. Have been for about 2 years, QF and every other carrier just has to wait,

 

[Max Samuels]

I think some smart airlines (I think CX, but can't recall... or SQ?), anyway, those smart airlines use the same range of row numbers for every class on every aircraft. so the front row of economy is always "50" for example. That means that regardless of aircraft change, you can get kind of the same seat......

 

[Max Samuels]

Same thing happens when a domestic A320 is downgraded to a B737. You get put at the back of the bus even though you had selected front of cabin.

Do they operate A320 domestic? I thought that was just JQ....

 

[Max Samuels]

I know people have mentioned this before..... but the choice of cramped 787 or cramped A380 for Y customers is truly depressing. At least with the 747 you had the option of the pairs of seats at the back.....

 

[levelnine]

When it comes down to it, it has zero to do with Qantas IT. It's Amadeus and they are working on a fix. Have been for about 2 years, QF and every other carrier just has to wait,

It beggars belief that it takes so long to make such a change!

Do they operate A320 domestic? I thought that was just JQ....

Sorry, I misspoke. I meant the A332, not A320.

 

[Max Samuels]

It beggars belief that it takes so long to make such a change!



Sorry, I misspoke. I meant the A332, not A320.

Oh yeah I HATE that too. Happened to me the other day when they did a straight swap: 23 to 23 - 1st row to 7th from the back.

Losers.

 

[kpc]

If you have an Expert Flyer subscription, you can put a seat change alert, so you get an email if your chosen seat changes

 

[Max Samuels]

If you have an Expert Flyer subscription, you can put a seat change alert, so you get an email if your chosen seat changes

Actually good idea - I do have a subscription! I might try that

 

[blackcat20]

I think some smart airlines (I think CX, but can't recall... or SQ?), anyway, those smart airlines use the same range of row numbers for every class on every aircraft. so the front row of economy is always "50" for example. That means that regardless of aircraft change, you can get kind of the same seat......

Not SQ, we went from row 19 bassinet to row 19 towards the back of the cabin. Was fun holding the baby for eight hours

 

[jakeseven7]

When it comes down to it, it has zero to do with Qantas IT. It's Amadeus and they are working on a fix. Have been for about 2 years, QF and every other carrier just has to wait,

Virgin are notorious for this as well (stuffing around seats on trans con when they cancel A330s) - do they also use Amadeus and suffer from the same problem??

 

[mannej]

VA use Sabre.

 

[Max Samuels]

I think they suffer from "we-don't-care-about-our-customers" syndrome.....

 

[Thrawn]

I got a seat change notification email from Philippine Airlines a few days ago... if you can't avoid a seat change, IMO at least notify the customer

 

[jakeseven7]

I think they suffer from "we-don't-care-about-our-customers" syndrome.....

VA or Sabre? Or both

 

[OATEK]

Every now & then it can work in your favour. I had selected Row 15 on the A380 to find after an aircraft change I was upstairs in the 747.

There are lots of subtle difference even on those airlines that seem to start at the same row. CX start J at row 11 on the A330, B777 and new A350, and in keeping with tradition don't have row 13. But I always avoid Row 14, as it only exists on the B777 and go for 12 or 15. That way if the aircraft is changed, seat will stick.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Not just the CX 777. I was in 14A on a CX A350 a week ago. Cheers skip