Preferential treatment in economy class - Discrimination

[Cinta Masters]

I travelled to Sydney on the weekend. On the way up I checked in online 20 hours prior. I only had a choice of three seats in the plane. This was ok because I was flying by myself. On the way back to Melbourne the same thing happened although myself and my fiancé had to be separated. We checked in over an hour early. When we got to the bag drop I asked if the seats could be changed. The Qantas assistant said that the plane was full and there was nothing that she could do. Ok fair enough. However I asked why the seats were already full. I was advised that Qantas platinum flyers were allowed to reserve their seating upon purchase. On this flight were families upset that they could not sit next to each other, children having to sit away from their parents.

How is this fair? How is this just? If people want special treatment they can pay extra for business class. When preferential treatment interferes with whether or not you can sit with you husband or children is unjust. It is a classed based preferential treatment even when all passengers in economy pay the same.

I do not believe that Qantas should have take away liberties that were previously given to all passengers i.e. the right to sit with your partner when checking in early time. I will stick with Virgin from now so that I am not treated like a second class citizen!

[petainnt]

Cinta, it does seem unfair but these people do pay a fee to be platinum flyers and travel frequently (with loyalty to Qantas) so they are given "perks". Most of these peope choose to fly on this airline due to their loyalty program - not the fact that it was the cheapest flight that they can get. That is the whole idea of budget airlines (no frills) no premium seating, upgrades etc.

I am due to fly Jetstar soon and was able to book my seat on line - the telling will be that as my partner and I picked 2 of the few available seats left if the flight will be cancelled or not due to lack of passengers

[Cinta Masters]

Yes I understand. However the system didn't seem very logical. Passengers didn't understand why they weren't moved so that families could sit together either. I understand that the airline wants to give perks to their frequent flyers however I do not believe that it should be at the expense of other passengers.

Also just to note...I had to change my flight at the last minute and ended up paying much more than if I purchased a ticked on a premium seat.

[petainnt]

The system is logical - most frequent flyers will choose to fly towards the front of the plane (less turbulance) - in an exit aisle if available (for leg room) and they pay for these perks with frequent flyer membership, this is regardless on whether it breaks a row or seating arrangement for a family ( remember a lot of these people spend a lot of time in the air). That is the whole idea if it throws out the seating plan of a family (who are usually seated towards the end of the plane) so be it. Yes I do have children (3 actually) and have many times used my frequent flyers to secure the "cot seat" only to be asked if I would like to move to allow others to have 'More leg room". These maybe people who have grabbed a last minute flight and the "hostess/host" feels I would be more comfortale with a baby on my lap at the end of the plane for a 5 hour flight, and let the men with the long legs fly in comfort. You only have to remind the staff that you are indeed travelling under a frequent flyers program that they will ensure your comfort to ensure the repeat bookings. They would like to look after the repeat business - and who could blame the airlines - repeat business is REPEAT profits

[Cinta Masters]

Well they will not be getting my REPEAT business again.

[deang]

Were the tickets that you and your fiancé booked together and on the one PNR? If not how would Qantas or indeed any other airline know you were travelling together? When families book together they will be seated together.

I am a frequent flyer and like being offered the better seats. Qantas does this because I have proven myself to be a long standing and loyal customer to them.

The system is very logical, seating is assigned based on status and then you can check in on line up to 24 hours before hand. The higher your status the better your seat. As it should be.

And why should you be able to move other passengers for your comfort? Not even platinum level FFers can do that. First in best dressed according to the seating allocation methodology as noted above.

The system works very well.

[wilrc1]

Why would you fly Qantas, everyone knows there is a clear bias towards their frequent fliers... even so, the service standards on board are shocking and most of their aircraft are well past their use by dates... not to mention most of the flight attendants!! fly virgin or tiger and save your money for your own enjoyment not that of Qantas management!

[greatgats]

Why should be biased towards older flight attendants?? Maybe older ones could be more helpful and anyway it sound you only want to check them out!!! May be you should check out!!!!

[samantha22]

I like jetstar anyway.. and quants because they are Australian!!!

[brucetiki]

Deang, I had a situation last year where my aunt and myself booked a Qantas flight together on the one PNR and they still separated us. We asked at the bag drop if we could sit together, they told us to go to the customer service desk, where they managed to seat us together. What I find most interesting is Jetstar provides a free seat selector at the time you book your flight yet Qantas doesn't (then they separate you anyway).

[greatgats]

I have found Jestars seat selector pretty good except when they change the flight on you!!