Introduction
Qantas is expanding its “neighbor-free” seating option to US flights, allowing passengers to pay a fee to block the seat next to them for a more comfortable journey. The airline will initially offer the option on 19 international routes, including flights between Sydney and Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
What is neighbor-free seating?
Neighbor-free seating is a paid add-on that allows passengers to reserve the seat next to them, ensuring that it remains unoccupied during their flight. Qantas first introduced the option in 2022, and it has been popular with passengers who value extra space and comfort.
How much does neighbor-free seating cost?
The cost of neighbor-free seating varies depending on the route and the time of year. However, passengers can expect to pay around $142 to $225 USD each way between the US and Australia.
How to book neighbor-free seating
Passengers can book neighbor-free seating at the time of booking or through the Qantas website or app. The option is only available on select flights, and passengers are advised to book in advance as seats may sell out.
Benefits of neighbor-free seating
There are a number of benefits to booking neighbor-free seating, including:
- Extra space and comfort: Passengers will have more room to spread out and relax, especially on long-haul flights.
- More privacy: Passengers will not have to worry about sitting next to a stranger, and they can enjoy their flight in peace and quiet.
- Faster boarding and disembarking: Passengers with neighbor-free seats will be able to board and disembark the aircraft more quickly, as they will not have to wait for their seatmate to get up.
- Reduced risk of COVID-19 transmission: Neighbor-free seating can help to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission by maintaining a greater distance between passengers.
Qantas to expand neighbor-free seating to more routes
Qantas has said that it plans to expand the neighbor-free seating option to more routes in the future, including flights to Europe and Asia. The airline is also considering offering the option on domestic flights.
Overall, Qantas’s expansion of neighbor-free seating to US flights is a welcome development for passengers who value extra space, comfort, and privacy.
Here are some additional thoughts on Qantas’s expansion of neighbor-free seating to US flights:
- The option is likely to be popular with business travelers and families, who often value extra space and privacy.
- Neighbor-free seating could also be appealing to passengers with anxiety or other medical conditions who would benefit from having more space.
- Qantas’s move to expand neighbor-free seating comes as other airlines are also offering similar options. This suggests that there is a growing demand for this type of seating.
Overall, it is positive to see that Qantas is offering passengers more choices and flexibility when it comes to their seating options.