Hi, i was allowed to choose a seat when i called Air NZ airpoints service centre, if you cant get an exit row, try for Row 27 on the 747 - d,e,f,g (d and g being the aisle seat0 middle row - at least u might get a slight bit more leg room, negaitive - u could be next to a noisy kid upside - they could bump u into biz class if they do have a noisy kid they want to save the seat for in case? who knows.