Booted from 737 row 4
Aug 17, 2019, 8:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SYD, Australia
Programs: VA Silver, QF FF, Priority Club
Posts: 920
Booted from 737 row 4
Yes I’m a lowly QF Bronze.
However, twice in 3 days, despite having got myself into row 4 at T-80, at check-in, it has auto allocated me a boarding pass other than row 4. The 2nd time it put me into 20D (which I’ve now rectified and I’m in a seat in the single figures.
Flight is SYD-DRW and vv. My friend was on MEL-DRW, also QF Bronze, secured row 4. Has QF changed the algorithm/policy? Or am I just unlucky?
However, twice in 3 days, despite having got myself into row 4 at T-80, at check-in, it has auto allocated me a boarding pass other than row 4. The 2nd time it put me into 20D (which I’ve now rectified and I’m in a seat in the single figures.
Flight is SYD-DRW and vv. My friend was on MEL-DRW, also QF Bronze, secured row 4. Has QF changed the algorithm/policy? Or am I just unlucky?
Aug 17, 2019, 1:31 pm
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
CL and maybe P1 will replace any existing seat allocation in row 4 (if they aren't put into row 3), also group seating requests can cause a seat move. As can babies if you are in a bassinet row (presumably not for your flight).
Aug 17, 2019, 1:41 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,159
Not a bassinette (sp?) for syd-drw
my observeration:
row 4 is nice
ground staff often report difficulties filling exit row specifically on NT routes (for DRW no idea why before anyone asks- makes more sense for ASP)
otherwise perhaps try a row nearer the back where you’ll often get a 3some to yourself
my observeration:
row 4 is nice
ground staff often report difficulties filling exit row specifically on NT routes (for DRW no idea why before anyone asks- makes more sense for ASP)
otherwise perhaps try a row nearer the back where you’ll often get a 3some to yourself
Aug 18, 2019, 3:11 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,447
Aug 18, 2019, 4:26 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SYD, Australia
Programs: VA Silver, QF FF, Priority Club
Posts: 920
Aug 18, 2019, 5:37 pm
#6
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Aug 18, 2019, 6:06 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
IIRC previous FT discussion on this also suggested that the airline(s) also use seat belt extensions as a “no go” for exit row seating. Likewise a language requirement (not swearing, rather the understanding of any FA/pilot instructions).
Aug 18, 2019, 11:29 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,159
I only bring up exit rows as a potential solution if extra legroom is required
IME the fine people of the NT are far better behaved than you lot seem to have experienced. I put it down to a reluctance to be responsible/fear of not knowing what to do due to lack of aviation experience, etc, rather than any, ahem, “disqualifying condition”
IME the fine people of the NT are far better behaved than you lot seem to have experienced. I put it down to a reluctance to be responsible/fear of not knowing what to do due to lack of aviation experience, etc, rather than any, ahem, “disqualifying condition”
Aug 19, 2019, 12:51 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
Row 4 certainly has the leg room but it’s almost guaranteed that all 6 seats will be occupied. I’m now quite happy with aisles in the few rows behind - usually have a shadow next to me.
Aug 19, 2019, 1:10 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,159
Aug 22, 2019, 5:03 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SYD, Australia
Programs: VA Silver, QF FF, Priority Club
Posts: 920
So on DRW-SYD I eventually got into 5C which I found fine as I could get up and stretch if I wanted to.
4ABC were all taken, 4D and F were taken.
Plane otherwise completely full, although 6B was empty and I think 20B.
SYD-DRW, 4A and C were taken as were 4D and F.
Wondering whether on long flights the algorithm drops bronzes down?
I had a friend on an afternoon SYD-MEL yesterday end up with 4A at T-80, he is Gold.
4ABC were all taken, 4D and F were taken.
Plane otherwise completely full, although 6B was empty and I think 20B.
SYD-DRW, 4A and C were taken as were 4D and F.
Wondering whether on long flights the algorithm drops bronzes down?
I had a friend on an afternoon SYD-MEL yesterday end up with 4A at T-80, he is Gold.
Aug 23, 2019, 2:55 am
#13
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Once the seats are open for general allocation, anybody can book unless an empty seat has been blocked (general done for CL and P1, sometimes for WP, never for SG or lower). So bronze or lower can get into row 4 if any unbloced seats remain. Status matters prior to that time but not afterwards (except when the flight becomes under manual control, and all seats show as allocated on the seat map, whether or not there is a person sitting in them). QF is very different from most US carriers.
Aug 23, 2019, 3:28 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,159
Once the seats are open for general allocation, anybody can book unless an empty seat has been blocked (general done for CL and P1, sometimes for WP, never for SG or lower). So bronze or lower can get into row 4 if any unbloced seats remain. Status matters prior to that time but not afterwards (except when the flight becomes under manual control, and all seats show as allocated on the seat map, whether or not there is a person sitting in them). QF is very different from most US carriers.
Aug 23, 2019, 3:47 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,991
Once the seats are open for general allocation, anybody can book unless an empty seat has been blocked (general done for CL and P1, sometimes for WP, never for SG or lower). So bronze or lower can get into row 4 if any unbloced seats remain. Status matters prior to that time but not afterwards (except when the flight becomes under manual control, and all seats show as allocated on the seat map, whether or not there is a person sitting in them). QF is very different from most US carriers.
Search this Qantas forum for "Notional Seating" for more.