Seating preference when flying...

[JohnK]

I am Platinum and like to sit as far forward as possible but my first priority in economy is to make sure that I get the first row in any economy cabin.

I can sacrifice being as far forward as possible as I do not want to be stuck behind a recliner under any circumstance.

 

[Warks]

Huh? From the weekly email:

A poll of our members revealed that most members, irrespective of their status prefer to sit in an emergency exit row if at all possible.

Doesn't look like it to me, most prefer to sit as far forward as possible. 28 want the emergency exit.

 

[ozmille]

Huh? From the weekly email:


Doesn't look like it to me, most prefer to sit as far forward as possible. 28 want the emergency exit.

Yes seems a strange title, 52 SG/WP want as far forward and 21 SG/WP want the exit row...

 

[harvyk]

Huh? From the weekly email:


Doesn't look like it to me, most prefer to sit as far forward as possible. 28 want the emergency exit.

Yeah, but maybe most of the WP - forwards votes didn't come in until after the weekly email was written.

 

[p9c]

My choice is a bit more complex than the poll provides for.
737
1. Row 4 (usually window, sometimes I will settle for aisle)
2. Exit row window seat
3. Furthest forward window seat

767 and A330
1(short flight). Furthest window seat forward for short flights.
1(long flight > 2 hours). Exit row seat
2(long flight > 2 hours). Furthest window seat forward for short flights.

I agree - the poll is a bit too simple. For domestic flights, I generally prefer tio be seated as far forward as possible, but in business class flights NOT the front row, as I like the flexibility of being able to put a small carryon under the seat in front. Business class aisle seats in the second row suit me best for domestic flights. With single class aircraft, I find the front row is better because of the leg room. On larger international aircraft, exit rows are often better than being far forward.

 

[justin23]

I seem to be pepetually stuck in Silver, just when I get close to gold the travel stops

Anyway, i'm a tall ish exitrow person, then as far forward aisle as possible. My last 4 economy international flights, i've snagged exit rows for points no problems at all. Domestic is harder of course and I do a fair few 4 hour flights to DRW and PER from CBR.

I have noticed even a lowly Silver is better at getting exit rows and upgrades than when I was Bronze.

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

I seem to be pepetually stuck in Silver, just when I get close to gold the travel stops

Anyway, i'm a tall ish exitrow person, then as far forward aisle as possible. My last 4 economy international flights, i've snagged exit rows for points no problems at all. Domestic is harder of course and I do a fair few 4 hour flights to DRW and PER from CBR.

I have noticed even a lowly Silver is better at getting exit rows and upgrades than when I was Bronze.

Hope you feel sorry for the doubly lowest status bronze who have no chance for exit rows and have to buy J seats.

"No Status - Only Points"

 

[Dougo]

For domestic, I don't really care so long as it is away from screaming kids.

For long haul, if I haven't got a Prem Economy or above, I actually prefer to be at the back of the plane in window seats where the 3 seats go down to 2 - I like being seated in those far back seats so I don't have a third along side either me or my other half.

 

[homeimp]

I prefer to have a seat in the rear, against a baulkhead or the very last row in the plane or section, so that I have no one kicking me in the back or thumping the inflight screen.

 

[Dougo]

I prefer to have a seat in the rear, against a baulkhead or the very last row in the plane or section, so that I have no one kicking me in the back or thumping the inflight screen.

Oh yes ... the kicker !!! I dislike them intensely...along with screaming kids

 

[JohnK]

I have noticed even a lowly Silver is better at getting exit rows and upgrades than when I was Bronze.

And you are doing much better than me.

As a coveted Platinum I cannot pre-allocate exit rows on domestic flights.

 

[pshepvic]

And you are doing much better than me.

As a coveted Platinum I cannot pre-allocate exit rows on domestic flights.

Really? That's strange - have you checked with QF on this? Ever since they introduced seat selection fees etc (late last year from memory?) I thought everyone could select exits as long as the exit is available in the zone you're allocated to - which all exits are for WPs.

 

[TonyHancock]

Really? That's strange - have you checked with QF on this? Ever since they introduced seat selection fees etc (late last year from memory?) I thought everyone could select exits as long as the exit is available in the zone you're allocated to - which all exits are for WPs.

That's my understanding. In fact I allocated myself 23B on a domestic A330 today from SYD-MEL. (It was awful, incidentally! :-| Way to close to the galley and with the chap in 23A encroaching all over me because of the emergency exit "bulge".)

 

[drron]

Not voting as my preference is not there-anywhere but Y.

 

[JohnK]

Really? That's strange - have you checked with QF on this? Ever since they introduced seat selection fees etc (late last year from memory?) I thought everyone could select exits as long as the exit is available in the zone you're allocated to - which all exits are for WPs.

I have not bothered Qantas with this issue. I prefer to have row 4 on 737 or row 23 on 767 than any exit row.

 

[serfty]

...
As a coveted Platinum I cannot pre-allocate exit rows on domestic flights.

Really? That's strange - have you checked with QF on this? Ever since they introduced seat selection fees etc (late last year from memory?) I thought everyone could select exits as long as the exit is available in the zone you're allocated to - which all exits are for WPs.

That's my understanding. In fact I allocated myself 23B on a domestic A330 today from SYD-MEL....

I have not bothered Qantas with this issue. I prefer to have row 4 on 737 or row 23 on 767 than any exit row.

While I do prefer front row economy over exit, I have been able to select any available exit seat online since the facility was introduced. I'll take exit row 35 over row 26 on a (non ZX) 763 at least until T-80.

If you can't select exit seats there is something unusual going on.

 

[JohnK]

If you can't select exit seats there is something unusual going on.

Hmmm. I just looked at some of my bookings and I can select exit rows.

Usually I do not look that far back in the seat map so may not have noticed. Oh well.

 

[TonyHancock]

Hmmm. I just looked at some of my bookings and I can select exit rows.

Usually I do not look that far back in the seat map so may not have noticed. Oh well.

I know the feeling, but on the domestic A330 I flew today 23 is the furthest forward in Y I could get and it is an exit row!

 

[The Matrix]

I am a QF Platinum member and I am also 6 foot 4 inches or 192 cm. When I fly domestically I always try for the emergency row but if I do not get it I can deal with things for 1 hour or so. However, when it comes to anything over 2 hours this is a problem as the economy seats are not made for anyone of any height over 6 foot. On my overseas flights (including NZ), I always pay the extra for the emergency row seating as I am aware of the revenue raising that this allows the airlines all over the world. What really gets my blood boiling is that I seem to be the only one who actually does this, as every time I investigate the person next to me they have invariably not paid for the extra for the seat. The other thing that happens is that if there is no person in that seat after the plane takes off they try to move in on the space.
I have had several discussions with the CSM when this has happened and it is usually resolved. If the airlines want to persue this policy correctly they must enforce the rules they have made.

The Matrix

 

[justin23]

I've noticed the same thing. For personal travel, usually international, I usually can't justify spending for business or premium economy. However the 20,000 points for long haul exit row is great for me.

I have to admit, I saw Qantas move a person from their exit row seat as they had not paid in cash or points and was just lucky, to accomodate a taller person (he was really tall, maybe 6'8"+). The passenger complained about why them.... They were told all others had paid for the exit row and they hadn't.

Also opften the middle exit row seat is never paid for... I'd rather have an aisle than even a middle exit row.

I am a QF Platinum member and I am also 6 foot 4 inches or 192 cm. When I fly domestically I always try for the emergency row but if I do not get it I can deal with things for 1 hour or so. However, when it comes to anything over 2 hours this is a problem as the economy seats are not made for anyone of any height over 6 foot. On my overseas flights (including NZ), I always pay the extra for the emergency row seating as I am aware of the revenue raising that this allows the airlines all over the world. What really gets my blood boiling is that I seem to be the only one who actually does this, as every time I investigate the person next to me they have invariably not paid for the extra for the seat. The other thing that happens is that if there is no person in that seat after the plane takes off they try to move in on the space.
I have had several discussions with the CSM when this has happened and it is usually resolved. If the airlines want to persue this policy correctly they must enforce the rules they have made.

The Matrix