Seat Allocation: How does it work?

[Gremlin]

I did an OLCI for tomorrow's flight earlier this morning. I'm a Gold Velocity Member, travelling on a flexible ticket and I checked in with a Sequence Number of 2. I had been auto-allocated Seat 4D. Whilst I'm generally happy with 4D, my preference for early morning flights is to have a window seat so I can lean against the wall and sleep. So I looked at what other options were available. Despite my status, the flexibility of my fare and the fact that I was only the second person to check in, I couldn't have a window seat forward of Row 15 (out of interest, nor was it possible to have a different aisle seat other than 4D forward of Row 15). I've found this sort of thing happen more than once, but I don't understand it...

 

[markis10]

DJs seat allocation seems to be hit and miss, the miss part being row 3 is often held/blocked for late arrivals/checkins, given the number if times I have been able to get the lounge to organise a better seat that might in fact be a hit!

 

[Noob]

Remember, Lounge Angels can do anything!

I can't wait till' VA's new IT system is in place....

 

[777]

I don't know but it seems to have gotten worse not better lately. I used to be able to get an aisle in row 3 or 4 pretty regularly by checking in early as a gold. Now i find - as you did - that i can check in online with a low Seq # (2 or 3) as a gold on a flexi and find those seats blocked. The most infuriating thing is that i have then had flights where those seats were blocked but turned out to be empty when i actually flew.

I could probably take my luck with auto allocation but it has led me astray before - i have a strong preference for an aisle (nervous flyer, window makes me feel claustrophobic sometimes) so i've had flights where i've skipped OLCI because there is nothing suitable and then they've put me in 3,4,5,6 A/F and i've had to put up with being bumped back 18/19/20 etc C or D because it was the only aisle they could give me.

The frustrating thing is that it used to work better!

 

[Justchecking]

Why do they need to hold row 3 for late checkins? If you are late checking in shouldn't you be allocated whatever's left....aka...the worst seats on the aircraft? Makes sense to me that row 3 should be status pax preferred not held for individuals who choose to arrive at the airport 3 mins before the flight closes. How hard can it be to auto allocate Golds row 3? DJ need to sort it out.....PE only rows 1 & 2Status pax rows 3-5 & first dibs on exit rows Flexis fwd of & including exit rowsEveryone else rest of the aircraftDone!

 

[markis10]

Why do they need to hold row 3 for late checkins? If you are late checking in shouldn't you be allocated whatever's left....aka...the worst seats on the aircraft? Makes sense to me that row 3 should be status pax preferred not held for individuals who choose to arrive at the airport 3 mins before the flight closes. How hard can it be to auto allocate Golds row 3? DJ need to sort it out.....PE only rows 1 & 2Status pax rows 3-5 & first dibs on exit rows Flexis fwd of & including exit rowsEveryone else rest of the aircraftDone!

By late checkins I mean status pax who book late or change flights, like I said I have not had an issue getting it allocated at the Lounge. One of the good things about DJ is their flexibility for Golds wishing to go earlier, and also giving them good seats, I like it and see no reason for it to change

 

[medhead]

I'm just about always auto allocated to row 3. Only yesterday sequence 16, 3F. But I like an aisle and so had to move to 5C. If I had of stayed in 3F then I would of had an empty middle seat. Instead I had to share with 2 young ladies who were obviously excited by the flying experience. (That was a joy to see) The main issue seems to be a lack of seat preference option - aisle or window. I'm not sure if not having this option is good or bad - there are pros and cons either way.

BTW I though exit rows had to be purchased.

 

[koonyaflyer]

I agree with Medhead's observation that a preference for Aisle or Window would be ideally captured in your profile. I like a window seat and invariably find I am in 4D, so often go back as far a 7 to get a window.For me the new system has worked much better and I am invariably row 5 or forward, with the exception of bookings made within 24 hours of booking where I find a seat is not auto allocated and I have to sort through the "leftovers" for the best available. Often, prior to the new system changes, I was not even able to see forward of Row 13.

 

[day-heg]

The only thing I'd add to this topic that hasn't been mentioned is balancing the aircraft.

The centre of gravity needs to be somewhere near the centre of the plane, so seats will generally be filled from the middle back and forward... ever noticed on an empty-ish flight that the front few rows (excl PE) and the back few will be the ones that are empty?
This could explain why Row 3 is often the last to be filled... I had tweedle-dum & tweedle-dee on Row 3 infront of me SYD - MEL last night who clearly had no status - and I have long pondered why their like are sat there, and this is the only sensible explanation I can come up with.

I'm not a qualified pilot (but do have some flying experience) and have no 'insider knowledge', but I would hazard that is definately a factor that's loaded into IT systems.

Why it would offer an aisle, but not a window on the same row, I have no idea.

Just my 2 cents...
D-H

 

[LiamR]

I wonder if it depends on the route?

When I OLCI on OOL\SYD and OOL\MEL routes, I'm usually given row three.

The last few flights I've done kiosk checkin and been allocated row 5. So I haven't had any problem getting stuck down the back.

Then again, there is very little golds that fly out of OOL so, so it'll be much easier to get a better seat. We also have very little PE pax onboard. If any.

Lounge Angels always seem to be able to find you a better seat, so they must be blocked off.

 

[MarkD]

As a standard velocity member, I got allocated anything at all, usuallt as far forward as row 9 or so. Silver not much changed, however, once i hit gold, I think every time I have been allocated row 3. My preference is usually window. On the odd occasion, I have actually been allocated PE seats, which is a novelty, because I rarely if ever, fly premium class.

 

[darrend]

The worst allocation ever.

Myself and partner are both VA Plat - son no status. 3 of us travelling on same booking.

Flight this evening allocated row 18. On the return on Sunday row 3.

What is with that - not so sure it is an improvement.

 

[serfty]

Did you try to select seating at T-14 days when it opens for o-statused ones?

 

[Deleted member]

+1 has flown V a few times and been bumped to last row ( in spite of organising herself and her seat ahead of time , often paying the extra) all in the name of keeping a group together ( who end up not being together anyway) I am not a fan of V and while I have not flown long haul with them (Bne - Akl once) I can't comment on the comfort or service, but have to say there is little I have found to want to change from QF


The more I see of men........... the more I love my dog

 

[777]

+1 has flown V a few times and been bumped to last row ( in spite of organising herself and her seat ahead of time , often paying the extra) all in the name of keeping a group together ( who end up not being together anyway) I am not a fan of V and while I have not flown long haul with them (Bne - Akl once) I can't comment on the comfort or service, but have to say there is little I have found to want to change from QF

What status do they have with VA and have they checked in using OLCI as soon as it was available? What do you mean by "keeping the group together" how big was the group?

 

[Deleted member]

3 or 4 people , usually a family as I recall. My point is the cheap and cheerful ain't so cheerful


The more I see of men........... the more I love my dog

 

[Deleted member]

I am sure if I persevered and gained some status things might change. But frankly VA domestic doesn't do it for me, and my last flight from Auckland was not one I will remember with fondness


The more I see of men........... the more I love my dog