Originally Posted by
yying
for Qatar Airways, Economy Convenience & Economy Comfort both come with free seat selection from the point of booking, while this will coat extra on Economy Lite & Economy Classic fares; it used to be that standard seat selection (for whatever standard seats remaining) at online check-in is free-of-charge regardless of fare type, and it’s out of question whether Lite & Classic fares are no longer able to select a standard seat at check-in
The QR website still says "In Economy cabin Standard seat selection is free at the check-in window"
https://www.qatarairways.com/en-us/o...-and-fees.html
That said, the aforementioned theoretical seating algorithm will severely limit choices for those with no FF status and travelling on a restricted fare. On a busy flight that may mean someone is given no other choices to move to at OLCI (or perhaps be offered to pay for a preferred seat). Airport check-in staff may be able to move you if they are able to override the algorithm or release blocked seats.
Now it may be the case that the website linked above is out of date, or alternatively that the blogger quoted had run up against the no available seats to move to issue when travelling on a previous restricted fare and put 2 and 2 together and made 7.
Either way, the sweeping quote from the article "
It should be noted that Qatar no longer provides free seat selections for economy class passengers, even at check-in" is not accurate, and is what I was responding to.