Domestic a320 swap out
Nov 17, 2019, 11:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite; QF Platinum; CZ Gold; MU Platinum; Marriott Titanium; Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,467
Domestic a320 swap out
Just ended up crammed in a middle seat (airline kindly selected this seat for me) in 5E on CHC - AKL which normally is bearable with space plus
But plane has been swapped out for a Trans Tasman version where there is no space plus on the right side of the plane
Forgot how uncomfortable these planes are and how tired the interiors are
Two questions
1 is there any way to tell in advance that you've got one of these planes?
2 I wasn't able to select my seat on check-in, this has happened a lot recently. Is that a new thing that they insist on selecting your seat for you?
Thanks
(And to make things worse they're playing the All Blacks safety vid. Thought that one had been retired)
But plane has been swapped out for a Trans Tasman version where there is no space plus on the right side of the plane
Forgot how uncomfortable these planes are and how tired the interiors are
Two questions
1 is there any way to tell in advance that you've got one of these planes?
2 I wasn't able to select my seat on check-in, this has happened a lot recently. Is that a new thing that they insist on selecting your seat for you?
Thanks
(And to make things worse they're playing the All Blacks safety vid. Thought that one had been retired)
Nov 17, 2019, 11:28 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
Well looking at the seat map when you book gives and indication which of the two CEO there are.
Flight Radar will also tell you which plane it is.
When the flights get over X% full think they lock seat select but can look at expert flyer and hit them up on Twitter DMs. Did this to move from row 15 to row4 at T-48ish
Flight Radar will also tell you which plane it is.
When the flights get over X% full think they lock seat select but can look at expert flyer and hit them up on Twitter DMs. Did this to move from row 15 to row4 at T-48ish
Nov 18, 2019, 1:57 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,114
As mentioned the seat select at booking is the way to tell the difference. You're seeing these aircraft on more domestics which was the plan with the new neo aircraft to fly TT. With the domestic A321s pushed back they might be around for a bit longer than planned, but you do realise how tired they are now.
Nov 19, 2019, 11:25 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite; QF Platinum; CZ Gold; MU Platinum; Marriott Titanium; Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,467
thanks for all the really helpful replies (as always!) now I know what to look for.
The problem is I often change flights late on with flexi and rely on the lounge or check in staff to give me the best seat, as mentioned above by the time I check in seat select is closed so you cant see the seat map!
I guess I could ask the lounge staff what kind of plane it is
The problem is I often change flights late on with flexi and rely on the lounge or check in staff to give me the best seat, as mentioned above by the time I check in seat select is closed so you cant see the seat map!
I guess I could ask the lounge staff what kind of plane it is
Nov 20, 2019, 2:35 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: NZ Airpoints GE, Qantas Platinum, Accor Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 962
I just managed an aisle seat on my two flights yesterday but in row 21 and 18. Both flights packed and not shy of $1,000 for the return trip!
And one of the flights was the Tasman version. Fortunately we managed to miss the horrendous storm that hit CHC yesterday afternoon.
And one of the flights was the Tasman version. Fortunately we managed to miss the horrendous storm that hit CHC yesterday afternoon.