Seating Availability/Allocation/Configuration Help Desk

[serfty]

>>>> ADDED 30 Sept 2010 <<<<

Background to this thread:

In a similar vein to the "Flight Availability / Upgrade Probability Help Desk" there has an increase in the posting of questions about specific seat allocation/availability on a flight. These are all valid questions and we all appreciate the efforts our members go to to provide answers.

The only drawback is that our forums can become "cluttered" with such queries. This tends to reduce the overall usability of our site.

This new consolidated thread is where you can ask questions about seating allocation/availability. Hopefully, this will reduce clutter and improve usability.

Guidelines for posting in this thread:

Please post questions about availability of specific seats in this new consolidated thread. Be sure to include the airline, flight number, Origin, Destination, date and cabin as applicable.

When answering questions, please include the original question. This will assist in readability and management of the thread.

Spoiler: For Questions about Flight Availability, Fare Bucket Loadings & Upgrade Probability, please use this thread

Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

>>>> END OF UPDATE <<<<

 

[sambo]

Hi all,

I'm taking the family (myself, wife, 5yo and 7yo) to Japan in September in Qantas business class(award seats). Flight out is QF25 (747-400) and flight back is QF62 (A330-300).

Any tips on best seat selection in these cabins for families?

I understand that some Qantas 747s have their old First class cabin now configured as Business class cabin - but I can't tell if this is true for QF25. If true, are these seats best avoided given their age?

Many thanks in advance for any advice here!

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

If true, are these seats best avoided given their age?

I like the older 747 seats in general. The cabins aren't always the greatest layout, but I find the seats themselves very comfy

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all,

I'm taking the family (myself, wife, 5yo and 7yo) to Japan in September in Qantas business class(award seats). Flight out is QF25 (747-400) and flight back is QF62 (A330-300).

Any tips on best seat selection in these cabins for families?

I understand that some Qantas 747s have their old First class cabin now configured as Business class cabin - but I can't tell if this is true for QF25. If true, are these seats best avoided given their age?

Many thanks in advance for any advice here!

The 747s will either have 'full flat' skybed mark2 seats, or have the old First class seats and skybed mark1.

Skybed mark 1 are all angled flat and best avoided. You should select seats in the F cabin which will be full flat. You can tell this configuration by the seat map, with only single seats along the windows in rows 1-4, and three sets of 2 seats in the middle of the cabin.

The new skybed2 cabins have a row 5 for starters, and the front cabin is all configured with pairs of seats in rows 1-3. These seats are supposedly full flat, but wear and tear means they are now more likely to suffer from droop, or arching, which makes the surface uneven. If this is the case, speak to your cabin crew who can show you how to temporarily fix the seat so it is flat when you want to sleep.

 

[sambo]

The 747s will either have 'full flat' skybed mark2 seats, or have the old First class seats and skybed mark1.

Great info MEL_Traveller, very much appreciated!

 

[sambo]

...You can tell this configuration by the seat map, with only single seats along the windows in rows 1-4, and three sets of 2 seats in the middle of the cabin.

So I have checked the seating maps, and QF25 appears to be this configuration:
https://www.qantas.com/content/dam/...t-maps/qantas-boeing-747-438-58J-36W-270Y.pdf

So my thinking is that the upper deck, row14 or row15 would be my preference (both are available). Probably row 14 ideally (exit row) for more space.

Would that be a reasonable choice to make here for a family of 4?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[serfty]

I have seen reference that row 1 can be very good for a group of four in these reconfigured 747's.

 

[sambo]

I have seen reference that row 1 can be very good for a group of four in these reconfigured 747's.

Thanks Serfty, Row 1 is not selectable for me unfortunately. However row 3 is, but only A,B and J,K. Rows 5,6,7,8 are all available also, but not a big fan of the 2-3-2 config back there due to aisle access issues.


Cheers,

 

[Quickstatus]

The assumption is that there won’t be an equipment change.

There is only one Skybed Mark 1 747 left.
VH-OEB = Lie flat in row 1-4 but angled beds in rest of business.

So the chances of getting VH-OEB subbed into your flight are???. The other 9 747-400 are lie flat Mk2.

If you choose upstairs there is a small chance your seat won’t be a lie flat.

If you choose Row 1-3 you will get a lie flat regardless of which 747 you get. Of course the dreaded droop in the Mk2 lie flats cannot be discounted.

Upstairs:
Guaranteed to be the among last to exit the J cabin
There is storage area between seat and cabin wall

Downstairs:
Exit the aircraft faster than row 5 and beyond.
Guarantee lie flat

 

[sambo]

Further - does anyone know how exit row rules are enforced in practice by Qanats? By my interpretation, reading the rules it appears that nobody under 15 years old can sit in an exit row, as per below?

Seat selection conditions, exit row | Qantas AU

 

[Quickstatus]

Further - does anyone know how exit row rules are enforced in practice by Qanats? By my interpretation, reading the rules it appears that nobody under 15 years old can sit in an exit row, as per below?

Seat selection conditions, exit row | Qantas AU

Yes the rules are very specific and are enforced rigorously from checkin and also cabin crew has authority to move patients who they deem not suitable for exit row.

15 and over is OK AND PLUS the rest of the conditions
So a 15 year old can select the seat online but if present to checkin with broken leg, that passenger will be moved and lose the exit row

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks Serfty, Row 1 is not selectable for me unfortunately. However row 3 is, but only A,B and J,K. Rows 5,6,7,8 are all available also, but not a big fan of the 2-3-2 config back there due to aisle access issues.


Cheers,

i would select row 3AB and JK. Same same as sitting upstairs in two separate rows. The upper deck is 'fun' as a once off, the kids will probably love it. But downstairs is more spacious and has more room to store carry on etc. If you are flying return, maybe one way upstairs and one way down.

 

[TomCC]

So I have checked the seating maps, and QF25 appears to be this configuration:
https://www.qantas.com/content/dam/...t-maps/qantas-boeing-747-438-58J-36W-270Y.pdf

So my thinking is that the upper deck, row14 or row15 would be my preference (both are available). Probably row 14 ideally (exit row) for more space.

Would that be a reasonable choice to make here for a family of 4?

Many thanks in advance!

Funnily enough, yesterday/today and two weeks ago I sat in these very rows on this very flight (well QF25 and it's return QF26).

No complaints whatsoever about either am interested to hear though that some say is better to sit downstairs.

 

[bigjobs]

QF130 PVG - SYD Thursday 21 June.

I am in poverty Y for this overnight service. I am wondering about the loadings in Y and the chance of a spare seat next to me ... I'm WP so have the shadow sometimes.

Just trying to decide if I take an aisle seat in the row of 4 in the hope that I get a spare seat and that they fill the outside rows of 2 first up. if it's a light load though, I might take a punt and go for a window seat in the hope of having no one next to me.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

QF130 PVG - SYD Thursday 21 June.

I am in poverty Y for this overnight service. I am wondering about the loadings in Y and the chance of a spare seat next to me ... I'm WP so have the shadow sometimes.

Just trying to decide if I take an aisle seat in the row of 4 in the hope that I get a spare seat and that they fill the outside rows of 2 first up. if it's a light load though, I might take a punt and go for a window seat in the hope of having no one next to me.

IIRC the A330-300 is weight restricted. Goes out with a fair few spare seats. Those can be spread across either the J or Y cabins. The A330-200 has the capacity to fly it full. I'd secure a good seat you're happy with now, then ask at check-in at the airport what the seating looks like.

 

[Captain Halliday]

QF130 PVG - SYD Thursday 21 June.

I am in poverty Y for this overnight service. I am wondering about the loadings in Y and the chance of a spare seat next to me ... I'm WP so have the shadow sometimes.

Just trying to decide if I take an aisle seat in the row of 4 in the hope that I get a spare seat and that they fill the outside rows of 2 first up. if it's a light load though, I might take a punt and go for a window seat in the hope of having no one next to me.

Not always a guide to total loading, but 9’s in almost all buckets is a good sign.
J - 9
C - 9
D - 9
I - 8
Y - 9
B - 9
H - 9
K - 9
M - 9
E - 9

 

[bigjobs]

IIRC the A330-300 is weight restricted. Goes out with a fair few spare seats. Those can be spread across either the J or Y cabins. The A330-200 has the capacity to fly it full. I'd secure a good seat you're happy with now, then ask at check-in at the airport what the seating looks like.

this is handy information. here's hoping for no last minute change in equipment.

Not always a guide to total loading, but 9’s in almost all buckets is a good sign.
J - 9
C - 9
D - 9
I - 8
Y - 9
B - 9
H - 9
K - 9
M - 9
E - 9

thanks. almost a full house of 9s - kind of means the opposite for the plane. fingers crossed.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

this is handy information. here's hoping for no last minute change in equipment.



thanks. almost a full house of 9s - kind of means the opposite for the plane. fingers crossed.

If the flight is an A333 (weight restricted) the fare buckets can change very quickly. It might be that there are just 9 seats in total available which QF will sell in either J or Y. So if someone takes 2J it takes the seats out of both the J and Y inventory. I’ve seen this on both the QF7 and the QF flights to PVG. (Despite 9s across the board, J could go out empty and Y reasonably full for example)

 

[bigjobs]

why is the a333 out of Shanghai to sydney weight restricted? is it something to do with distance?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

why is the a333 out of Shanghai to sydney weight restricted? is it something to do with distance?

Correct.

 

[sanne]

I have recently secured 2 J award flights on BA LHR to JNB. This is on a 380.

What would be the best seats for a couple. We like to sit together and this is a night time flight.

Thanks for any suggestions.