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 <<<<

 

[johnstra]

Thank you for your comments, the seats mentioned are booked, has anyone tried the upper deck middle row?

 

[kookaburra75]

Thank you for your comments, the seats mentioned are booked, has anyone tried the upper deck middle row?

I normally go for 33G - inside aisle one back from the bulkhead. I find that row 32 doesn't have the same leg room. Also, I'm on the opposite side where the toilet is, so you don't get as much foot traffic past you. Plus as a WP, on all but a few flights (where I don't get the upgrade to J) I have an empty seat next to me. The window seats are always taken a long while out

 

[Pele]

Gday

Is anyone able to help with the below:

SQ288 2125 16th October 2019- are there any seats left in row 11?

SQ231 0045 28th October 2019- are there any seats left in row 11 or 12?

Thanks!

Pele.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Gday

Is anyone able to help with the below:

SQ288 2125 16th October 2019- are there any seats left in row 11?

SQ231 0045 28th October 2019- are there any seats left in row 11 or 12?

Thanks!

Pele.

No to both.

 

[stoney]

Have a RTW booked (J) June,July and August 2020 and looking at seat allocation as there was an error made in booking both myself and my wife which was overcome by having two bookings. It all worked out except seating may be a problem (seating together). the only airline I have had any luck with is Finnair. Even though it is all business class it looks like we need to pay to get chosen seating which I find is gouging. Is there any advice you can give? Flights are with QF, CX, KA, BA, AA, JL,

 

[takenbyaliens]

Whose paper you on?? Which Airline/s? Points or money?

 

[dairyfloss]

Have a RTW booked (J) June,July and August 2020 and looking at seat allocation as there was an error made in booking both myself and my wife which was overcome by having two bookings. It all worked out except seating may be a problem (seating together). the only airline I have had any luck with is Finnair. Even though it is all business class it looks like we need to pay to get chosen seating which I find is gouging. Is there any advice you can give? Flights are with QF, CX, KA, BA, AA, JL,

Hi Stoney - one of the AFF resident agent experts will be better placed to comment, but it is possible for PNRs (booking references) to be roughly linked, by having a cross-reference added to the bookings known as TCP (Total Complete Party). I'm picking this is done by the booking agent or airline.

This probably won't allow you to do what you seek above and select seats together now, at least not online and without cost, but will mean the agents & airlines can see you are travelling together on different PNRs, and will assist with keeping it that way. It may also mean that seating is allocated together automatically, closer to the travel start date, but I'm not sure.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Have a RTW booked (J) June,July and August 2020 and looking at seat allocation as there was an error made in booking both myself and my wife which was overcome by having two bookings. It all worked out except seating may be a problem (seating together). the only airline I have had any luck with is Finnair. Even though it is all business class it looks like we need to pay to get chosen seating which I find is gouging. Is there any advice you can give? Flights are with QF, CX, KA, BA, AA, JL,

All airlines except for BA should allow you to select seats, together, free of charge. BA will charge you until 24 hours prior to departure.

You may need the booking reference specific to each airline if the master PNR doesn't work. The PNR for the individual airline can be obtained from the airline in question (by giving them a call). I'd recommend you don't just allow the airline to allocate you seats, ask for the PNR. That way you can access your booking at any time (not just on that call).

Armed with your respective PNRs, go to the 'manage booking' tab on each airline site. I'd open up two screens and split your screen so each booking is showing side by side. Then select your seats.

Reverse herringbone seats in the centre (usually 'D/F' seats, or similar) are rarely conducive to chatting. You may wish to book window seats immediately behind each other. Lots of advantages to this including more space, control of the window shades, and the view (especially into London and Hong Kong).

 

[OATEK]

All airlines except for BA should allow you to select seats, together, free of charge. BA will charge you until 24 hours prior to departure.

You may need the booking reference specific to each airline if the master PNR doesn't work. The PNR for the individual airline can be obtained from the airline in question (by giving them a call). I'd recommend you don't just allow the airline to allocate you seats, ask for the PNR. That way you can access your booking at any time (not just on that call).

Armed with your respective PNRs, go to the 'manage booking' tab on each airline site. I'd open up two screens and split your screen so each booking is showing side by side. Then select your seats.

Reverse herringbone seats in the centre (usually 'D/F' seats, or similar) are rarely conducive to chatting. You may wish to book window seats immediately behind each other. Lots of advantages to this including more space, control of the window shades, and the view (especially into London and Hong Kong).

Even BA should allow you to select seats if you are OWS/QF Gold, as they did for us when booking for next March.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Even BA should allow you to select seats if you are OWS/QF Gold, as they did for us when booking for next March.

Correct. I was erring on the side of caution and basing my reply on the possibility the OP didn't have status. One of the benefits of OWR/QF Silver is the ability to select seats for free at the 7-day window on BA.

 

[stoney]

Hi Stoney - one of the AFF resident agent experts will be better placed to comment, but it is possible for PNRs (booking references) to be roughly linked, by having a cross-reference added to the bookings known as TCP (Total Complete Party). I'm picking this is done by the booking agent or airline.

This probably won't allow you to do what you seek above and select seats together now, at least not online and without cost, but will mean the agents & airlines can see you are travelling together on different PNRs, and will assist with keeping it that way. It may also mean that seating is allocated together automatically, closer to the travel start date, but I'm not sure.

Cheers,
Matt.

Thank you Matt,
That makes sense. I will follow up on it and let you know how it works out. It may help someone else. I did have FF Solutions find the route for me and I must complement you for running a top class service. I will give a trip report as we go through it. Thanks again.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

‘linking’ of PNRs/bookings is not ‘active’. The link will only be discovered if an agent searches for it (there’s no ‘flashing light’ or warning). As such, linking should never be relied on and the individual bookings should be monitored. In the event of travel disruption for example, what happens to one booking may or may not also happen to the other (for example you could end up on different replacement flights). Seating together is not guaranteed if bookings are linked, because the system may not even pick up the cross-reference.

 

[stoney]

Thank you Mel, I understand and apreciate the difficulties. I have just now confirmed that the two bookings have been linked by Qantas and although it is not perfect it is a little comfort to know that it may help to keep us together. I will endeavour to atain seating before flying but I will not pay the charge for allocation as this is simply gouging e.g. BA want $100 plus per seat per leg but AY is zero and available at least 6 months out from T. Further, it was a result of a QF call centre girls' error when making the booking. You do not expect this poor service when flying business class but unfortunately standards are dropping away.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

All the seats except for BA you should be able to select now.

 

[stoney]

Thank you again Mel, I have been working on it but finding it difficult to negotiate some carriers websites e.g. JAL just goes around in circles but there must be a way. I will keep this thread up to date.

 

[ronagoh]

Have a RTW booked (J) June,July and August 2020 and looking at seat allocation as there was an error made in booking both myself and my wife which was overcome by having two bookings. It all worked out except seating may be a problem (seating together). the only airline I have had any luck with is Finnair. Even though it is all business class it looks like we need to pay to get chosen seating which I find is gouging. Is there any advice you can give? Flights are with QF, CX, KA, BA, AA, JL,

I'd suggest that if you only have them booked but not ticketed and there are still seats available, I'd rebook the whole thing again.

 

[stoney]

Hi Ronagoh,

The booking is ticketed, thanks. I have been working on allocations and have found CX is only available 180 days out. JL is a bit iffy and I am not sure if my seat allocation worked. AA worked well. BA very poor attitude toward business class pax. This would add at least $800 to the cost of travel for which I have already paid without any guarantees. Rediculous.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

For JL, just go back into manage booking and see your seat selection.

 

[stoney]

Right, I have just looked and it is all good.

 

[robinsparkles]

hi there
can someone please check QF35 Friday 15th November for exit row seats x 2? Currently got us seated down the back on an aisle and window with fingers crossed for no middle passenger.

Any chance that the Upper deck will have anything for a lowly Silver after T-80 or am I dreaming?