Seat allocation - aisle or window ignored [Into force Nov11]

[simongr]

Hi

Just checked in for my second flight on DJ/VA. I have aisle in my preference (of course). For my flight down which I check in for at 10AM yesterday (supposedly a 7AM flight) I was allocated 3C - great seat. For my flight back I could only get 3A or 3AB - the furthest forward aisle seat was 23C...

Do we have much collective knowledge about how seats are preallocate (given we know a lot about QF's process)?

Interestingly the seat next to me is showing as free but I expect as with this morning it will be occupied by the time of departure...

S

 

[SeaWolf]

The seat allocation preference doesn't come into effect until November, so that's probably why what you're getting is seemingly random.

From November 2011 the Virgin Australia group of airlines will endeavour to accommodate your requested seat preference whenever possible. Selected seat preference may not be available on all flights.

 

[simongr]

Thanks - it is only an hour (or possibly longer based on this morning) so not a big deal - the 3 is more important than the C to me

 

[LiamR]

Hi

Just checked in for my second flight on DJ/VA. I have aisle in my preference (of course). For my flight down which I check in for at 10AM yesterday (supposedly a 7AM flight) I was allocated 3C - great seat. For my flight back I could only get 3A or 3AB - the furthest forward aisle seat was 23C...

Do we have much collective knowledge about how seats are preallocate (given we know a lot about QF's process)?

Interestingly the seat next to me is showing as free but I expect as with this morning it will be occupied by the time of departure...

S

In my experience, it's completely random, however the system will always assign you a seat as far forward as possible.

Golds/Plat can select up to row 3.
Silver can select up to row 5 (might have changed)
Red/No status can't select a seat ahead of or including row 8.

I'd ask the Lounge staff, I'm sure they can move you into Row 4/5 aisle if need be. (Keep in mind Row 4 has the least amount of legroom or any seat forward of the exit rows)

 

[Mal]

As posted in another thread. Flex SYD-BNE last Sun (as a Plat), was pre-assigned 3B. Could have moved to 5C. Stuck it out. Checked in via Kiosk, perhaps a lounge staffer would have done some magic.

 

[clarkkent]

Red/No status can't select a seat ahead of or including row 8.

Reds are now restricted to rows >= 10 when online check-in opens.

 

[LiamR]

Reds are now restricted to rows >= 10 when online check-in opens.

When was this? I checked in with a red on the weekend and they could see up to row 8. OOL-MEL-OOL.

Maybe it's dependant on the route? Amount of Golds/Plats onboard? Is VA's system that smart...

 

[clarkkent]

When was this? I checked in with a red on the weekend and they could see up to row 8. OOL-MEL-OOL.

Maybe it's dependant on the route? Amount of Golds/Plats onboard? Is VA's system that smart...

I think it was BNE-SYD and the reverse a couple of weekends ago, SEQ 1.

 

[LiamR]

I think it was BNE-SYD and the reverse a couple of weekends ago, SEQ 1.

Same here, Sequence One, Two and Three.

Slightly OT: Has anybody noticed checkin is now opening around 26hrs before takeoff?

 

[clarkkent]

Slightly OT: Has anybody noticed checkin is now opening around 26hrs before takeoff?

Yeah it appears to open at 27 h before.

 

[777]

I was SEQ 1 yesterday CNR-ME and still couldn't get my preferred aisle seat. Did get 3A though.

 

[JohnK]

Strange way of dealing out preferences. If I have an aisle preference and I am Platinum then I would much rather have 4CD, 5CD then have 3AB. Surely as a Platinum my aisle preference would override the preference of the person pre-allocated 4CD, 5CD.

Reds are now restricted to rows >= 10 when online check-in opens.

In my experience that varies between different aircraft. From memory I could select as far forward as row 7 on a 737 and as far forward as row 10 on Embraer.

 

[Whatever]

So what is the general consensus - Do you prefer to stay at the front of the plane or would you be ok to be moved back to get your aisle/window preference. If you love your window seat , how far back would you go to get it. The overwing, Row 20, Row 30 ?

Me , I'm all for staying close to the front.

 

[simongr]

Strange way of dealing out preferences. If I have an aisle preference and I am Platinum then I would much rather have 4CD, 5CD then have 3AB. Surely as a Platinum my aisle preference would override the preference of the person pre-allocated 4CD, 5CD.

I assume that is how it will work post November

So what is the general consensus - Do you prefer to stay at the front of the plane or would you be ok to be moved back to get your aisle/window preference. If you love your window seat , how far back would you go to get it. The overwing, Row 20, Row 30 ?

Me , I'm all for staying close to the front.

Domestic on QF I have started to ake a window if I can get row 4 on a 737 or 23/24 on a 763. Aside from those three rows aisle always trumps window for me.

International unless I get row 16 (or equivalent) on a 744 then aisle trumps window - which is often why I fly CX where I can get both