QF A220 seating cost $ for everyone in seats A/B up-to row 9

Well this was not in any reviews, press releases or announcements. As a platinum FF, today I booked a flight on the new A220 to Melbourne. To my surprise when choosing my seat all A/B seats from row 4 to row 9 are showing a $30 fee to sit their. No more priority seating for free as a platinum flyer. More being taken from QFs most loyal.

At least Virgin allow free access to their economy X for their platinums. Another reason to move my loyalty.

Was anyone a-wear of this? What do yo think?

You pay $40 if you are Gold (irrespective of whether you are flying full-fare or red-e deal fare). Interesting to see that as a Gold I can now select row 4 (the extra legroom row directly behind the business class section) at the time of booking - if I pay the $40 cost of course. This wasn't possible if the aircraft was a 737 - at least until the seats were unlocked at 80 hours before travel. Looks like Qantas is intent of extracting further revenue from the preferred seating, and at the same time winding back another benefit for it's premium frequent flyers. Presumably the change will be mirrored across other aircraft types in the near future.

You can select these seats for free as a plat 1.

Wow, what a perk. I'd really want to spend a shedload to get Plat 1 with a sub-standard carrier so I could save $30-40 in A220 economy. No disrespect to theflyinggeo, only to Qantas.

This is a terrible change and poor form from Qantas. No doubt this will be rolled out on A321 XLR and A350-1000 as these new types come into service.

If true, pure Qantas bloodthirsty greed at its finest. Disgusting move Qantas-you should be ashamed.

Going to make the 80 hour rule a bit of a lottery with more pax having to use it.

Qantas makes a point of recognising edlers past, present and emerging. Wouldn't it be nice if they recognised the loyalty of their most regular customers ?

Agree a poor move by Qantas but, if fools pay up, can you really blame them? Stop paying and the seats will be free before you know it.

Platinum's lost the access to row4 and free exit rows back before covid. now its just the 80 hour rule. for free access even P1's cannot even get blocked seats released like pre covid.

Looking at the seating configuration, the issue is that they have lost a row of business down the left hand side, due to the front row position and minimum aisle width. Could not squeeze another full economy row in so a bit more leg room was the only option for these rows. Qantas (and most other airlines) hate giving away extra legroom that’s they are effectively forced to provide due to either aircraft design or safety regulations so someone is expected to pay.

As a cost saving plane, expect these to move beyond QantasLink and start replacing some 737s particularly outside peak hours. A full A220 will make more money than a creaky old 3/4 full 737 any day.