Seating Preferences

[markis10]

I like 62A or K in BA J upper deck, its a window seat with all the benefits of an aisle, takes a bit of getting used to when you are sitting backwards for takeoff though.

 

[Febs]

I've found my initial seat allocations couldn't be furter from my seat preference (as a QFF SG), but after calling up, I can usually get something a bit closer to my preference.

Eg: My preference is forward window upper deck, so which seats was I assigned for a SYD-LAX flight in J that I booked today? 26K and 30K! ie: The complete opposite to my preference (30K being the furthest possible window business seat you can book, with nothing "forward" or "upperdeck" about it ).

..but the QFF Service Centre (bless 'em)...changed me to 23E (not window, but front-row) and 11B (again, not window, but front-row and upper deck).

So in my experience, the preferences are pretty useless, but the service centre are extremely helpful.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[NM]

..but the QFF Service Centre (bless 'em)...changed me to 23E (not window, but front-row) and 11B (again, not window, but front-row and upper deck).

Personally I think I would take 30K over 23E. But neither would be my preference. Keep looking at least daily since people do cancel and change flights and you might just get lucky! And ask again at checkin since row 16 may not be allocated. And ask again at the lounge. It does not hurt to ask!

 

[serfty]

... changed me to 23E (not window, but front-row) and 11B (again, not window, but front-row and upper deck).

You realize of course that 23E is one of the 6 'middle' seats in J on this flight. i.e. It is neither Window nor Aisle. I guess that at least it is a bulkhead seat ...

Another question is how full is the flight? Are there any other aisle seats available?

The other thing is that you will probably find yourself in a "sea" of WP's. It takes as few as four trans pac returns in J to attain WP.

 

[NM]

The other thing is that you will probably find yourself in a "sea" of WP's. It takes as few as four trans pac returns in J to attain WP.

And its that sea of WPs that bring the opportunity to find a better seat at the last minute. There is a fair chance that some of them will have waitlisted for an upgrade to First class. If that is successful, then their seats become available when their upgardes are processed.

So it may pay to be diligent and call for a new seat allocation about 23 hours before departure, and check the seat maps each hour from then on if you can. You need to nab the better seat before they are nabbed by someone else such a Y upgrader :shock: .

 

[Febs]

Personally I think I would take 30K over 23E. But neither would be my preference. Keep looking at least daily since people do cancel and change flights and you might just get lucky! And ask again at checkin since row 16 may not be allocated. And ask again at the lounge. It does not hurt to ask!

Will definitely be asking again before the flight. They did mention there was a good chance of getting one of my preferred seats, just not at midnight (something about the seating guys who make the decisions re: bassonet seats only being available during business hours).

I don't mind a middle seat if it's bulkhead, as there's enough room to squeeze past IMO. Maybe it's a psychological thing, but I just never like being "up the back".

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Tooner]

I like 62A or K in BA J upper deck, its a window seat with all the benefits of an aisle, takes a bit of getting used to when you are sitting backwards for takeoff though.

I'm with you there - selected 62K for this evening's LHR - HKG flight (31) based on SeatGuru's recommendation.

I'm usually forward window as I like to see out the window, but I don't mind facing backward when taking off.

 

[openseat]

Domestically, I used to be a foward aisle, but because of the number of people who are ahead of me I ended a fair way back down the plane. Given the way the plane unloads from the front first and that most of my domestic flights are under two hours I chose forward window as you still get out before the people behind you and generally you get ahead of the wing for a good view (except in 767s).
Occassionally using quick check reasonably close to close off time I have been able to snare a foward aisle seat.

 

[creditcardman]

For some reason I always get put near the exit door in the middle so I really enjoy the extra legspace although one airline which I can't remeber didn't have a tv for this seat so I was quite bored most of the way

 

[munitalP]

My preference (and profile) is forward window for domestic and international. I am reasonably lucky insofar as I will usually get seated a few rows behind business if I'm not seated at the front of the bus. However in saying that, an empty seat next to me is well worth the extra wait exiting the aircraft. If I need to sit further back to get an empty seat next to me, so be it therefore I always ask on check in to block the seat next to me off - in most cases except the early flights ex Melbourne (I can't speak for the others) Qantas will do this.

Mondays Singapore to Frankfurt I was allocated 26K (bulkhead), I changed to 27K with 27J empty and 27I another Platinum. All seats in 26 were taken.

I have previously sat 4 rows from the back on a long haul to get "lay down room" across the seats - worth every minute of inconvenience waiting to exit the plane in Frankfurt...

Asile or window - always under debate. I choose window because I like the view, I like playing "what's that city" using Flight Path and some creative thinking (lol) and last but not least, my "squishy" - a horseshoe shaped pillow (not a blow up one) fits well between the seat and the wall with a pillow filling the gap and I can make myself reasonably comfy on long haul. Also, I don't mind asking people to move as I don't mind being asked myself if for some reason I am in the isle.

Happy landings.....

Oh BTW, the stupid posting times are not insominia caused, I'm in Sweden at the moment, getting bloated on over priced 3.5% beer.... hoo hum...

 

[Skyring]

Maybe it's a psychological thing, but I just never like being "up the back". .

No offence to anyone who swings the other way, but I'm 100% with you, Febs!

 

[NM]

Booking an international flight 3 hours before departure does not do much for ensuring your seating preference as I found out this week. By then all the good seats are long allocated to those who knew they had to travel with at least 24 hours notice.

So after collecting my ticket at the airport and proceeding to check-in the agent was horrified when the system spat out 55E on the boarding pass - along with the words Platinum FF - OneWorld Emerald. So a quick check with his boss determined the most forward seat available was 32D and he blocked off 32E and 32F.

Unfortunately the AVOD was working properly for seats 32E and F, so the FA directed two passengers to sit there about 1 hour into the flight when it was found that their IFE was not working :evil: .

 

[dikko]

Definitely forward window for me, both domestic and international. There is always going to be some view somewhere along the way, and I'm not fussed about climbing over my neighbours. However, I often seem to get an overwing seat, which kind of destroys the point!

 

[Skyring]

Definitely forward window for me, both domestic and international. There is always going to be some view somewhere along the way, and I'm not fussed about climbing over my neighbours. However, I often seem to get an overwing seat, which kind of destroys the point!

Yeah! Interesting though the wing may be from a technical point of view, I really hate it when it obstructs my view of snowcapped peaks, tropic islands etc.

And, quite frankly, when we encounter turbulence and the engines start bouncing and wobbling around, I'd rather NOT see them!

 

[munitalP]

Try being behind the wing on a cruddy old 767 and a compressor starts pumping kero straight out of the cowling! There are some sights when flying where Douglas Adam's (hitchhikers guide to the galaxy) peril sensitive sunglasses (these go completely black and don't allow the wearer to see through them as soon as the wearer enters a perilous situation) would come in handy!

Happy landings

 

[NM]

And, quite frankly, when we encounter turbulence and the engines start bouncing and wobbling around, I'd rather NOT see them!

Personally I would rather that I could see the engines. Not seeing them when I know they should be there leads me to wondering what is providing the thrust now that the engine has fallen off :shock: .