Entire economy cabin on domestic narrow-body was allocated with an empty seat between each pax?

8 replies

ausJCP

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Aug 2014

Total posts 132

The title really says it all. I’m currently sitting in steerage on QF637 (BNE-MEL), and witnessing a curious thing I’ve not seen before.


We are on a B737 (great wifi) with about a two-thirds full load. For almost the entirety of the plane, pax have been allocated with an empty middle seat!


With almost no exception, seats A, C, D and F are occupied, while all seats B and E are empty throughout the aircraft!


Obviously it’s no coincidence, but rather a subtle and deliberate move to make everybody’s flight more comfortable. I really love this thoughtful initiative.


The really curious part: I jumped on seat selection before the flight, and middle seats were blocked out.


Is this a new policy or seat allocation algorithm on capital city commuter flights? Any rhyme or reason as to when and how it’s applied?

ZQN Fan

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 27 Nov 2017

Total posts 46

Whilst it may well be a great passenger experience, it will be more about aircraft weight distribution and balancing for optimal performance and fuel burn. It’s quite common on partially full flights, the reason you don’t see it often is because aircraft loads and generally quite high.

Red Cee

Member since 15 Feb 2018

Total posts 151

Like the idea. I have yet to experience it, but look forward to the day I do.

oliver_adl

Member since 18 Jul 2018

Total posts 16

Sounds like "business" class within Europe...

efindlay

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 12 Dec 2013

Total posts 25

I had a flight from Launceston to Melb and the 2-2 config had one person in every set of 2 alternating between window and aisle. Even to the extent of same row the window an aisle was staggered. Flight was less than half full but a nice touch on a small plane.

Andrew Barkery

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 21 Mar 2011

Total posts 433

Most likely they have got something in the cargo hold and need to weigh out the plane, proper like.

Granted I only travel weekends, so only am speculating, which is bad of me.

kimshep

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 11 Oct 2014

Total posts 412

Whilst it may well be a great passenger experience, it will be more about aircraft weight distribution and balancing for optimal performance and fuel burn. It’s quite common on partially full flights, the reason you don’t see it often is because aircraft loads and generally quite high.


Agree 110%.

Highly unusual flight for @ausJCP and most, but an absolute 'dream' scenario for the flight planners, crew - and also for passengers.

I sorta wouldn't expect it on too many flights for exactly the reason that @ZQN Fan correctly mentions. It's not a 'new policy' or 'seating algorithm' - it's the (ideal) parameter process that every flight planner is meant to start with.

Rufus1

Member since 04 Dec 2013

Total posts 70

LH fills flights like that. FTL and SEN (*S and *G) allocated the front rows, aisle/window and then non-status (also aisle/window) after that. The middle seat is only filled from the rear of the aircraft forwards - unless you have passengers travelling together.


Works well, especially if you have status to be in the first few rows (and SEN as a matter of policy will always be the last to have a middle passenger next to them).

jared7825

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Feb 2018

Total posts 30

Have never seen a QF flight which such a low pax load but would be nice!

Typically on my flights its the few few rows with a space between them on 3-3 or next to a stagger empty seat on 2-2 and then from then back its packed full

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