poopbunny

During booking a month or two ago, I remember selecting 14A (or K).
I considered a seat on lower deck row 1 to 3 which I would prefer if it was VH-OEB, but decided to stick with UD as probability of VH-OEB plying the SYD HND route was about 1 in 30
Upon recent checking, I found that I had been moved to 16K without notification. Annoyed.
So I selected seat 5B the lone seat on the lower deck.
I checked again today and see I have been moved back to 16K (seat 5B now occupied!)
Super annoyed!

My choices at time of writing is Row 1 & 2, (lots in middle row 5 - 8) & 2 more front seats in UD or stick with my forced 16K selection.
Just recent analysis of FlightRadar24 shows SYD HND now has about 1 in 3 chances of VH-OEB.
I fly 13 Feb, how far out before anyone would know if VH-OEB is rostered for this route for the given date.

Is ringing QF CS about my seat selection futile? I am QFPlat
Any advice on this or best seat recommendations appreciated!

serfty

How did you book this? TA or direct?

Qantas CS is so variable, you might as well call them.

Perhaps put up a seat alert - do you have expert flyer?

poopbunny

Direct

No

LHR/MEL/Europe FF

A seat in row 1 or 2 would seem to guarantee a flat bed no matter whether it is a new or old version of the 747? (Rows 1-4 being the former F cabin in the old model.)

Maybe they're anticipating a change so keep kicking you out of 5?

serfty

I had a look, both 5B and 5J are showing as occupied.

poopbunny

Thanks all.
I rang CS, they can bring up a history of seat re-assignments but have no record of me being moved.
CS did say I probably got moved from the 5B throne seat because disabled or special needs pax gets priority.

Now in Row 1. Fingers crossed for VH-OEB

serfty

5B is an exit row seat - disabled/special needs passengers are generally ineligible to sit there.

poopbunny

I'll know for next time.
Sadly my flight was not on aircraft regn VH-OEB, missed it by 1 day.

As suspected pax sitting in 5B looked fit and able.

At check in, was told aircraft changes frequently displaces pax.

I suspect QFP got displaced by CL?

I did hear FA call out coffee order by CL

tylerdurden4543

Have booked 4 tickets in J HND-SYD next March (2019). When selecting seats, the seat map currently shows what appears to be the 747-400 Long Reach v2 layout but I've learned from this board that the flight is sometimes operated by the unicorn that is VH-OEB, which should seem to have better seats in the first few rows.

So, my question is, any downside to selecting 3ABEF now? If it is VH-OEB, how would our seats change?

Thanks!
Tyler

LHR/MEL/Europe FF

3ABEF are great seats. IIRC seats do map across if they change the aircraft. But I'd keep an eye on it - check once a month or something, and more regularly closer to departure.

og

tylerdurden4543

Thanks all - appreciate the confirmation. Have selected 3ABEF.

Next question is I need one more seat to be up front with the family. Everything in the first two rows is blocked (for QF elites I've read). Anyway to snag one of those? I'm One World Emerald if that helps? Or mention three of the seats selected above are for small children so need to be close to them?

Hvr

Ring up and ask. Or at the very least log on at T-80 and move the final person.