When are 'system blocked' seats released?
Mar 7, 2023, 11:50 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,176
When are 'system blocked' seats released?
Hi all, I have my first long haul sector in PE in early May. Config is 789 v1. Always managed to stay in Y or get a double RU to J....
Currently I can see 23AB and 23 DEF are all available for $75 and that 23 JK are occupied/blocked (can't tell from my seat select).
However, a dummy booking fo the same flight seems to indicate that 23 JK are just withheld/blocked and not occupied, presumably for 'load control' to allocate at some point.
Question - when do the blocked seats become selectable?
Combined screen shot of dummy booking and then actual booking.
Currently I can see 23AB and 23 DEF are all available for $75 and that 23 JK are occupied/blocked (can't tell from my seat select).
However, a dummy booking fo the same flight seems to indicate that 23 JK are just withheld/blocked and not occupied, presumably for 'load control' to allocate at some point.
Question - when do the blocked seats become selectable?
Combined screen shot of dummy booking and then actual booking.
Mar 8, 2023, 2:55 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ Elite, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 908
Sometimes they are released at OLCI but as pointed out above, they are normally reserved for airport control. There are only a few instances where they will be pre-allocated such as for MEDA clearance and EP1.
Mar 9, 2023, 12:23 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 184
23JK are bassinet seats. If you do a dummy booking with an infant you will see those opening up for selection. Unlike row 3 on domestic flights which are actual system blocks, bassinet rows do not "unblock" as they were never technically blocked. You might get them at CI if no other pax with infants had requested them already.
Last edited by akl_cat; Mar 9, 2023 at 12:36 am
Mar 9, 2023, 12:47 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,176
Thanks all. Interesting that the bassinet icon doesn’t show during dummy booking (sans infant), or seat select post-booking.
The seat map on the NZ website however does.
You learn things everyday…
The seat map on the NZ website however does.
You learn things everyday…
Mar 9, 2023, 1:46 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 184
