What is the chance of me being allocated an exit row seat, if I ask for one at check-in??

If their is one free, will I be given it, or are they strictly reserved for 'premium' flyers??

Any help appreciated.

For domestic, just ask at check-in (or at the Qantas Club if you have access). As long as you fit the requirements, and a seat is available they should give it to you.

International is a bit more tricky. Only Plat's (and Chairman's Lounge) can pre-book an exit row with Qantas. However, when you check in, if there are seats available and you fit the requirements needed then they should be able to get you one.

Often exit rows are available at checkin. Domestically - because people online check-in/Machine check-in and don't bother asking, and Internationally because those who are pre-assigned exit rows (Plat/ CL) have a high chance of getting their upgrades using points granted. So they move, leaving the seat free.

Also worth adding that the exit rows on the 747 - seats A and K - are often free because of the rather large slide bussle which restricts leg-room. QF seat maps state these are some of the last seats to be allocated. My friends have had some success in asking, and getting, these at the airport at check-in.

cheers

LME FF

But if your bigger than 5"6' there is a reason these seats are allocated last!

It's a good seat if you have no legs

Thanks for your advice...its definatly worth a shot! Ive never had an exit row for a longhaul flight, but I imagine it makes quite alot of difference to comfort!

I would check to see whether the exit rows are taken before I leave for the airport, but seat maps on sites like seatexpert & check my trip seem to be disabled about a week before the flight which is frustrating!!

No always. On many aircraft the exit rows are located near the toilets and people congregate to queue for the lavs in the space at the exit doors. So people seated in the exit rows get little privacy and regularly get bumped or have their feed trodden upon by toilet queuers.

They are often near the galleys so you can be disturbed by the light and noise of the FAs going about their duties through the night.

Also note that the arm rests in the exit row seats do not lift, so you can't sprall out if the flight is not heavily loaded. And the seats are sometimes narrower since the tray table and IFE screens are generally located inside the arm rest and swing out, instead of lowering from the back of the seat in front.

So if you don't need the extra space to to being tall, you may find the flight more enjoyable a little away from the noise and bustle that often surrounds the exit rows.

... or if you do score one and hope to sleep, consider og's patented rule of foot: "Wear white Socks".

Perhaps the use of week-old sports socks might also help to keep the area clear of congregators .

I would never recommend the A seat in the 744 front exit row economy, and especially making a half hammock out of the blanket tied around the grab handle on the wall of the aircraft (not the door). This lifting of the feet can reduce the blood pressure and enable better sleep.

The reason that I would not recommend it is because I have spent many hours moulding the exit row seat on Wunala Dreaming to the shape of my backside.