Jetstar's seat free-for-all ends

[Yada Yada]

Seat free-for-all ends

John Masanauskas, aviation reporter
October 04, 2006 12:00am

DOMESTIC passengers on no-frills airline Jetstar will have allocated seating from today. The Qantas subsidiary has ditched its free-for-all seating policy on domestic flights after a backlash from passengers.

Jetstar was due to introduce allocated seating from October 29 but has brought it forward after changing its booking system earlier than expected. Customers can now choose their seat when booking on the airline's website or by phone.

Jetstar was the first Australian carrier with free-for-all seating -- an idea copied from overseas low-cost airlines.

Jetstar chief executive Alan Joyce said yesterday that the new seating policy wouldn't lead to higher fares.

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This is great news and IMO brings JQ up to a standard that will be much more palatable for many travellers.

[JohnK]

Jetstar chief executive Allan Joyce said yesterday that the new seating policy wouldn't lead to higher fares.

I guess there will be an adjustment soon to cover for the implementation of allocated seats!

[Mal]

I guess there will be an adjustment soon to cover for the implementation of allocated seats!

Seat Allocation surcharge? -- Never! Airlines wouldn't implement surcharges for operational costs!

[oz_mark]

Seat Allocation surcharge? -- Never! Airlines wouldn't implement surcharges for operational costs!

...or try to fob it off as a tax.

[Kiwi Flyer]

I guess there will be an adjustment soon to cover for the implementation of allocated seats!

Not at all. However if you wish to pre-select a seat then there will be a charge.

Disclaimer - charge may vary according to type of seat selected.

[simongr]

Maybe they will start to charge a fee to access the OLCI/seat allocation web interface - it's what I would do

[SeatBackForward]

Not at all. However if you wish to pre-select a seat then there will be a charge.

Disclaimer - charge may vary according to type of seat selected.

IF..If????? oh you mean one of those choices which isn't actually a choice but more of a rhetorical choice?

I'm much more into giving rhetorical answers myself.

[Kiwi Flyer]

IF..If????? oh you mean one of those choices which isn't actually a choice but more of a rhetorical choice?

Of course there is a choice. You can choose not to pre-select a seat. And see which middle seat towards the back you end up with.

[SeatBackForward]

Of course there is a choice. You can choose not to pre-select a seat. And see which middle seat towards the back you end up with.

Wingtips' my bet.

[Altair]

Wingtips' my bet.

Could you imagine the seat belt required for that? It would be more than the new Cathay ones....of course where would you store your carry-on?