Qantas Seat Selection for International Flights - is $90 worth it for legroom of a Exit Row Seat? (to Hong Kong)

Related Stores

Qantas

• 

  zelda707 on 11/01/2015 - 23:40

  +4

  I'd say the $25 one, extra leg room makes a huge difference on longer flights. Full leg room exit row probably isn't worth an extra $65, there isn't a huge difference

  • 

    CarpalTunnel on 12/01/2015 - 13:22

    Totally agree, seems the best "value" haha

    That being said for the overnight flight, maybe full leg room might be a bit better. But if you were going to pay $25 to pick a seat, you'd think the only one worth it is the exit row-window-semiobstructed seats.

    Not many times would you wanna book a random e.g. 34A seat (I guess unless you wanna secure a block for a group booking)(

• 

  Peck on 12/01/2015 - 00:14

  Just a reminder that exit row seats are narrower due to the tray table being in the arm rest. And the OP is correct about the exit row window seats being more restrictive. Some airlines leave that seat as unallocated. IMHO, seat selection on full service airlines should be free and on a first come basis and not have certain seats reserved for certain class of frequent flyer. You have reminded me why I don't like Qantas International.

  • 

    CarpalTunnel on 12/01/2015 - 13:31

    Curious, how bad is the restriction on exit row window seats? Like can you stretch out just with your lateral leg a bit squeezed in or is it actually bothersome?

    I wonder if I book it, could I get transfered to the one next over (the premium $90 seat) if no one takes it on the day… o.O

    • 

      Peck on 12/01/2015 - 15:46

      It looks like a big box attached to the door. I think that the slides are inside. I find it uncomfortably obstructive. (Thus the reason that it is cheaper than the other exit seats) I also find the curve of the fuselage slightly restrictive. As I said, I have seen it left vacant a lot. Possibly due to complaints. I wouldn't bet on being able to switch. I am not an expert on Qantas, and I might be confused by all of the different companies that I fly with, and so, if you are inclined, take the punt. This old Video is interesting. http://www.modhop.com/delta-airlines-airbus-a330-300-economy…

• 

  iridiumstem on 12/01/2015 - 00:23

  +1

  I actually had a chance of being on a front middle row seat (where parents of babies usually get seats on) on way from Korea to here. If you like babies and if you can sleep while babies are crying (which I don't think many people can do), those seats are amazing. I actually had one of the best flights, the baby was cute and I was not woken up by the baby crying (even though guessing from how tired the parents looked, he must've cried several times)

  In terms of recommendations, I think the $25 one is reasonable if you really want that leg room.

• 

  Geewhizz on 12/01/2015 - 05:55

  From the way I read it, you're misunderstanding the $25/free thing. If you wait it is going to cost you $25, whereas if you do it straightaway, or within 24 hours of booking the ticket then it is free.

  • 

    zelda707 on 12/01/2015 - 09:48

    +1

    It's the other way around, only free 24 hours before the flight

    • 

      Geewhizz on 12/01/2015 - 11:38

      Ah ok.

• 

  modsec802 on 12/01/2015 - 08:12

  +3

  How tall are you? I am 6'6" and exit rows make a big difference.

  • 

    CarpalTunnel on 12/01/2015 - 13:23

    185cm. So bit shorter than you, but still someone that likes to push the front car seats a bit back ;)

• 

  pax on 12/01/2015 - 09:04

  I would say "worth it" is up to you to decide and it is on a per person basis about the comfort you expect on the flight.

  I know airlines used to keep exit rows and check that the person is capable of performing exit row duties. If a person now "buys" the exit row and the airline deems them not capable of performing those duties, what happens, and what can they do, as the person has paid for that seat (perhaps even the person was injured between buying the seat and flying).

  Pax

• 

  ProjectZero on 12/01/2015 - 10:01

  +1

  I'm a large guy with relatively long legs, as such, I've purchased the exit row seats during my last travel to HK.

  Honestly, I actually think it is worth it. Extra leg room, you are not at the mercy of the douche bag in front of you during meal time and when you watch TV (Had a horrible experience before where the guy in front of me was all the way down and the guy behind me wouldn't let me move back when I was a kid and travelling by myself). The tray table and the TV is stowed in the arm rest and you can always put the meal tray out in front of you when you are done so you don't have to wait ages before the attendants come to remove them from you.

  $90 for extra comfort, and freedom is worth it… although I wish it was slightly cheaper.

  • 

    CarpalTunnel on 12/01/2015 - 13:25

    What if you had the option of getting the exit row seat next to it (the window one), would the fact that it's only $25 be worth it. I.e. did the seat beside you have much leg room if you can remember? (asking cause I'm flying Brisbane to Hong Kong so maybe similar plane)

    • 

      ProjectZero on 12/01/2015 - 14:27

      I remember flying the A380, not too sure what you mean by "exit row seat next to it".

      I think the $25 fee is for checking into specific seats prior to getting the boarding pass isn't it?

      This is how it worked from my memory, online check in, you have a $25 fee to choose seat online, else you can choose on the day or just go with the randomly assigned seats. The $90 is for the exit seats (the ones next to the doors of the aircraft), they are $90 regardless if you go on the day and ask or if you book online. Is that how it works now, or is it different?

• 

  Foxtail on 12/01/2015 - 10:20

  -4

  While rarely go Y long haul, when we do always exit seats, we hate having front seat in our face.

  ot book any seat and take these..

  http://www.kneedefender.com

  You have answered your own question, go for it now before its late.

  • 

    Food on 12/01/2015 - 10:43

    They're banned by most/all of the 4 majors

• 

  2ndeffort on 12/01/2015 - 10:27

  +1

  I have done exactly what you asking 2 years ago. I paid the extra for the exit row on a flight to HK. It was worth it not to have my tray table under my chin because the person in front wanted to fully recline during meal time. Leg room not such a biggie for me I seem to be OK with feet under the seat in front but hate having the TV or tray table 1 inch from my face because seat in front fully reclined. I once had a frequent flyer seat where there was some kind of junction box under the seat in front, flew to LA with the dude in front reclined fully for the whole trip and my feet wrapped either side of a large metal box under the seat in front.

  • 

    ProjectZero on 12/01/2015 - 12:43

    I know how you feel… like a T-Rex when having your meal. As I said, happened when I was a kid so I didn't tell anyone, but if you let the attendant know, they're ask the person in front to sit up right during meal times.

• 

  singlemalt72 on 12/01/2015 - 11:43

  +1

  A friend of mine used to travel with an elaborate carbon fibre knee brace that was worn after a full knee reconstruction.

  He would put it on when he arrived at the airport an ask for an aisle seat so he could stretch out his leg into the aisle because it wan't able to bend. Of course he was told this is not possible because the aisle must be kept clear ….hello free upgrade to better seat/business class.

  • 

    2ndeffort on 12/01/2015 - 13:41

    WOW, great idea, I have a 'moon boot' thing in the garage that I had to wear when I had my achilles reattached. The only drama would be carting it around with me when i get to the other end.