What is a shadow ? (Qantas )

[mrsterryn]

I have seen numerous comments about having "a shadow "
Discussing whether it holds
Just wondering how does it work on domestic or international ?
Curious about rumour and fact and of people have had it ?
If you have a shadow are you less likely to have an upgrade ?
I do realise there will be comments or thoughts about Qantas inconsistency but....still curious

 

[pjm99au]

In answer to your first question a shadow is a blocked seat specific to an individual. For example I’m in 23G on this domestic A330 and my P1 shadow (denoted by the X) is in 23F. The X is showing this seat is currently not selectable by anyone WP or below in status. The blocked seat is done by the system or can be requested



It will follow me around the plane and some flights it stays with me until the end or disappears when the flight gets fuller or the flight goes under airport staff control and they decide I need company

Recently there has been a change to 737 flights and my shadow now never travels with me on these aircraft.



A shadow or lack there of will have no impact on upgrades other than it being representative of status.

 

[mrsterryn]

@pjm99au when does the shadow normally appear for you ?
Really helpful post thanks

 

[RooFlyer]

That is of course for P1s. Lower ranks can be assigned an 'unofficial' shadow - it usually appears for WPs in domestic flights in Y, but can just as easily disappear if they need the seat (as can the seat selection itself!!). Its an 'unwritten' benefit of WP.

 

[mrsterryn]

That is of course for P1s. Lower ranks can be assigned an 'unofficial' shadow - it usually appears for WPs in domestic flights in Y, but can just as easily disappear if they need the seat (as can the seat selection itself!!). Its an 'unwritten' benefit of EWP.

Not international?

 

[pjm99au]

@pjm99au when does the shadow normally appear for you ?
Really helpful post thanks

The shadow will show up immediately after I make my initial seat selection on domestic and international flights. I’ve just checked a 717 flight I have coming up and I don’t have a shadow in that flight either so it seems my shadow has caught a virus and has started staying home on single aisle aircraft.

 

[BD1959]

Data Point: as a WP I've never seen a shadow stalking me ...

Regards,

BD

 

[Franky]

Data Point: as a WP I've never seen a shadow stalking me ...

Regards,

BD

My wife often gets a shadow on her frequent trans-con flights Perth to anywhere and back, and says it's about the best perk that comes with her WP status.

 

[JohnM]

I've several times had a vacant seat next to me of the pair 1A,B or 1J,K on the QF B747 SYD-JNB and SYD-SCL or return.

I'm WP. Whether they were true shadows I do not know, but I kind of assumed they were.

 

[serfty]

Data Point: as a WP I've never seen a shadow stalking me ...

Regards,

BD

I have, but it was maybe a decade ago.

I and another WP were on the same flight with separate bookings and we alternatively changed seat selection, checking availability on Qantas.com and Expert Flyer.

As we changed seating, so did the 'shadow'. This does not happen so much for this mere WP since the advent of P1.

 

[Max Samuels]

Data Point: as a WP I've never seen a shadow stalking me ...

I have noticed fewer shadows on domestic Y since the advent of P1, but I pretty much ALWAYS get a shadow when flying to NZ on Jetconnect operated flights...

 

[Happy Trails]

If using Expertflyer, it's more apparent if you log in at a lower status level.

 

[dajop]

Noticed on expert flyer - for my QF flight on Thursday night SIN-MEL (as a Gold), a sea of empty seats around me, except mine (occupied) and the one next to me with a X through it. Fingers crossed, flight doesn't seem to be that full, selling all fare classes.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Occasionally, when I was QF SG, now at QF NR, the announcement comes along that "the last cabin door is now closed, will cabin crew prepare for departure", the 737 plane is full, and the seat next to me is empty.
Several times, I have the whole 3 seats of the row on the 737 to myself!
So, it can sometimes happen, that lower grades of QF flyers can also have the seat next to you as empty.
Of course, in Y on the 737, the person on the other side, could have bought a comfort seat request, so I was lucky by also gaining that way.
If not a higher grade SC QF flyer, you can buy another Y seat next to you for the space, have to phone up for this, you pay fare for the empty seat, but no taxes.
Have done this several times on my flight to and from NZ with QF.
Lift up the handrest and you do have a very wide double seat.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Noticed on expert flyer - for my QF flight on Thursday night SIN-MEL (as a Gold), a sea of empty seats around me, except mine (occupied) and the one next to me with a X through it. Fingers crossed, flight doesn't seem to be that full, selling all fare classes.

Best of luck that you get to keep that shadow, (that seat next to you as empty).
Have done PER - SIN day flight, when QF did that, 2 across for day is not that bad, but if a night flight, I would probably buy the seat next to me and my own on the 330, or fly premY SIN - SYD/MEL with QF, seeing that the 380 does fly the SIN - MEL/SYD route again.

 

[tdimdad]

Can one request a shadow as a SG? I'm looking at having three seats for the two of us on QF1 to LHR so any extra space would be great.

 

[Hvr]

Can one request a shadow as a SG? I'm looking at having three seats for the two of us on QF1 to LHR so any extra space would be great.

No. The only way to guarantee an empty seat is to pay for a comfort seat.

 

[juddles]

Ahhh, where do I start??

A shadow is exactly that - a shady concept. I love this as it brings a whole new level of wonder and Hope to status flying.

I have followed discussions on this topic for years, and my conclusion is that I now know even less than when I started.

If I had to state what I thought to be the real case (and QF have NEVER to my knowledge officially given support to this concept), then my best guess is the following:

There is some mechanism, either auto or staff-driven, to soft-block the seat next to a status member. This sort of impedes lesser folk from selecting the seat next to you. But in true QF fashion, I suspect that at some point in time, just before the flight, this impediment is removed, and suddenly that seat is available for check-in or airport staff to fill, which they happily do.

I have had endless experiences where at the glorious heights of P1 the "empty" seat beside me became occupied by a ring-in at boarding when there were many other seats vacant for the flight. Time after time after time. The times I have indulged in conversation with the invader of my un-paid for space, they are usually someone who is on some sort of staff travel (waitlisted) or a late upgrade.

I would suggest that you should enjoy the concept, but not actually rely on it. If you choose something like a first row, then that apparently empty seat next to you has a decent chance of being filled at last minute.

Have never bought "comfort seats", but am sure they are a far more reliable way of getting an empty seta next to you.

 

[Andz]

I'm Virgin P and get a empty seat all the time.

 

[woodborer]

I'm Virgin P and get a empty seat all the time.

Virgin try to place spare seats next to platinums:

• Time of booking – we reserve specific zones that are only available for selection for members within the relevant Velocity tiers.
• 48hrs to departure – we release most of the unused seats in the preferred zones for others members and guests.
• 12hrs to departure - we release all unused seats in the preferred zones and, where we can, endeavour to provide a spare seat beside our Platinum Velocity members*.

*Subject to operational requirements & not available on all aircraft types in the fleet.