Qantas trials neighbor-free seating on select international flights
The Australian carrier said neighbor-free seating would be available on 19 international flights, after seeing success with the same program in its domestic flights. Qantas is trialing the neighbor-free seating concept on 19 international flights, allowing customers flying economy to keep their seat next to them free. The airline will email customers 48 hours before giving them the option to select a neighbor free seat, but this is not guaranteed until departure. Passengers who have purchased seats with extra legroom, requested an upgrade or are traveling with an infant or unaccompanied minor are not eligible for the program. The pilot program will expand to international flights in the coming months.
게시됨 : 2 년 전 ~에 의해 Meghna Maharishi ~에 Travel
Soon enough, you may be able to reserve some extra space on your next Qantas flight — even in economy.
The Australian carrier is experimenting with the concept of neighbor-free seating on 19 international flights, allowing customers flying economy to keep the seat next to them free.
Neighbor-free seating starts at $45 each way between Australia and New Zealand, $100 each way between Australia and Singapore, and $225 each way between Australia and the U.S.
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG's free biweekly Aviation newsletter.
For flights not at full capacity, Qantas will email customers 48 hours before to give them the option to select a neighbor-free seat. However, such seating is not guaranteed until departure, and customers will receive a refund if the seat is instead sold.
Passengers who bought seats with extra legroom, requested an upgrade or are traveling with an infant or unaccompanied minor are not eligible for the program. Group bookings also do not qualify for neighbor-free seating.
The novel seating concept started with Qantas' domestic flights, but the Australian carrier decided to trial the seating option for international flights after seeing success with its domestic network.
"The data shows it's most popular with customers on our longer flights between the east and west coasts, so rolling it out to our international flights makes a lot of sense," Catriona Larritt, Qantas' chief customer and digital officer, said in a statement.
Larritt said that given the complexities that come with international bookings, Qantas is trialing the neighbor-free seating concept on select international flights before expanding the program in the coming months.
Here is a list of routes that will include neighbor-free seating for economy passengers:
• Brisbane-Wellington, New Zealand (available from Oct. 29)
• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations