Flew LHR-DRW today and the route went south over the Middle East and India. As a result it took an hour longer. Conversely on the way over to London last week we took a northerly route over Russia and shaved an hour off the flight time. Personally not sure why there is an issue of flying over nor...

The other issue here is that when a plane is busy passengers are instructed to place their large bag in the overhead locker and smaller personal bag under the seat in front, however, this is not enforced so if there's room people often place both items in the locker

Hope it gets a deep clean before loading passengers on for the SYD leg!

You could also have phone Qantas and requested to be seating with others in your party, although I'm not sure what the hold time is like at the moment. I generally find the best trick is to log back in at T-80 and select whatever is still available at the front

It may also be because Row 9 on the 737s doesn't have windows so could be perceived as being less desirable.