Strange Pre-Allocated Seat on International flight

[JohnK]

Last week I booked a flight PER-SIN on the A330 for travel late March 2011. One would think that this is a very lightly loaded flight at this early stage.

I was pre-allocated 24J as a Platinum. Not a bad seat as it is the second row of economy. I went into the booking (as there were other flights including domestic) and saw that 23AB, 23JK, 24AB, 24DEFG, 24K and most rows further all seats were available. The only seats blocked were 23DEFG which I assume is where the bassinet is located.

I was able to change my pre-allocated seat to 23J without any hassle. On the same booking I was pre-allocated 52D (I think) for an A380 flight ~8 weeks away but lucky for me both row 80 window seats were available.

My question is why pre-allocate me 24J if I could select 23J without any hassle? I can understand if they were saving this seat for Chairmans Lounge or even higher status Platinums but why let me select row 23?

Makes no sense. Very strange....

 

[wandering_fred]

John - Mrs WF would have a royal fit if pre-allocated into a bulkhead seat. :-|

Depends on the amount of carry-on and how many books you will look at during the flight. I guess. :shock:


Fred

 

[Happy Trails]

... My question is why pre-allocate me 24J if I could select 23J without any hassle? I can understand if they were saving this seat for Chairmans Lounge or even higher status Platinums but why let me select row 23?

Makes no sense. Very strange....

I’ve had the same issue on the same flights and according to QF these row 23 seats are not pre-allocated because they are designated for use by service dogs.
You can choose them though, with the proviso of having to move in the unlikely event of two service dogs being booked on the same flight.

 

[JohnK]

You can choose them though, with the proviso of having to move in the unlikely event of two service dogs being booked on the same flight.

And if you had to move hopefully it would be forward and not back in the cabin.

 

[Alanslegal]

JohnK, since you are a WP were you able to allocate exit row seats eg. 79B/C on the 388 without paying the $80 sector fee?

 

[Synthetic]

I've sat in 23J on a PER-SIN 333 and it has less legroom than a standard seat, which is maybe why you were allocated 24J. 23DEFG (bassinet) has about 10cm more legroom than 23AB/JK due to the positioning of the bulkhead.

 

[Febs]

JohnK, since you are a WP were you able to allocate exit row seats eg. 79B/C on the 388 without paying the $80 sector fee?

In my experience no, but 80A/K and 71D can be allocated without any additional fees. Travelling in 80J/K with my girlfriend in just over a week, so I'll let you know how the leg room is for two. From what I've seen before, it's plenty. (I've only had 71D before when travelling by myself).

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Flashback]

JohnK, since you are a WP were you able to allocate exit row seats eg. 79B/C on the 388 without paying the $80 sector fee?

Can no longer do for free. Plus, row 80 is better if you can get A or K ; regardless of charge. In row 79 there's every chance people will bump into your legs when walking through.

In my experience no, but 80A/K and 71D can be allocated without any additional fees. Travelling in 80J/K with my girlfriend in just over a week, so I'll let you know how the leg room is for two. From what I've seen before, it's plenty. (I've only had 71D before when travelling by myself).

Cheers,
- Febs.

Seemed plenty when I did it:!:

 

[Alanslegal]

In my experience no, but 80A/K and 71D can be allocated without any additional fees. Travelling in 80J/K with my girlfriend in just over a week, so I'll let you know how the leg room is for two. From what I've seen before, it's plenty. (I've only had 71D before when travelling by myself).

Thanks for info, I knew 80A/K seats are good but wasn't too sure about 80B/J. Anyway ended up paying the fees for 79B and C, and at least I won't have a "3rd wheel" in seats C/H.

In row 79 there's every chance people will bump into your legs when walking through.

I don't mind the bumping as long as they're attractive

 

[Flashback]

I don't mind the bumping as long as they're attractive

You're happy to be waken up, as long as they're attractive? Damn...:!: :shock:

 

[serfty]

The 79C occupant will get little sleep ... thus keeping 79B awake ... :-|

 

[JohnK]

JohnK, since you are a WP were you able to allocate exit row seats eg. 79B/C on the 388 without paying the $80 sector fee?

Unfortunately Platinums cannot request a complimentary exit row anymore although if you are a Silver there is a good chance you will be pre-allocated an exit row.

I've sat in 23J on a PER-SIN 333 and it has less legroom than a standard seat, which is maybe why you were allocated 24J.

I have been in 23B and 23J many times and the leg room is more than enough for me. Usually I am able to take turns and have one leg out in the aisle.

Now 23A and 23K are totally different propositions. I had cramps for over 2 hours after getting off a SIN-PER flight seated in 23A.

The 79C occupant will get little sleep ... thus keeping 79B awake ... :-|

Why would 79C get little sleep? I have been able to sleep in an aisle exit row without any hassles in the past unless 79C is different to other exit rows.

 

[serfty]

... Why would 79C get little sleep? I have been able to sleep in an aisle exit row without any hassles in the past unless 79C is different to other exit rows.

Certainly is; there is an angled galley curtain that is generally closed during night operations. People walking down pass through a slit in the curtain which direct them right into the stretched out legs of the 79C or 79H passenger.

They do this as they cannot see what on the other side, namely a passengers legs/feet.

Qantas have tried to alleviate the issue by redesigning the Curtains and their rails but from my 80K vantage point in June, the problem still existed somewhat.

See this .pdf: Qantas 388 seatmap

 

[Alanslegal]

Certainly is; there is an angled galley curtain that is generally closed during night operations. People walking down pass through a slit in the curtain which direct them right into the stretched out legs of the 79C or 79H passenger.

The do this as they cannot see what on the other side, namely a passengers legs/feet.

Qantas have tried to alleviate the issue by redesigning the Curtains and their rails but from my 80K vantage point in June, the problem still existed somewhat.

See this .pdf: Qantas 388 seatmap

Great info re: the bumping into 79C.