I suspect that the first few weeks after flights resume out of Australia, there will probably still be flights less than half full.
Based on my experience, I have some tips:
- Check your seat allocation a couple of weeks before your flight, to get an idea of how crowded the flight will be, then again about 2-3 days before.
- If the flights are way less than half full, change your seat so you have a full empty row. That way, you can lie down. If it's 3-3-3, take the window side, and if it's 2-4-2 take the centre. Here's is my next flight:
If you check two days before, you are in "C" and somebody has taken "G" in the same row, move to a different row. For example, I'd change to the row behind.
If you are in the main cabin, you have a better chance of getting an empty row if you are further back:
If there are TWO of you and plenty of empty rows, don't take the two window seats (like they have in 46 & 47^^), take the centre seats "D" & "F". Nobody will take "C" & "G". Make sure you pick a row that is empty both in front and behind so one of you can swap rows and you can both sleep in 4 seats.
- Don't take a bulkhead or exit row.... these have the immovable armrests so you can't lie down.
- Don't pick an aisle seat that is across the aisle from another person (less than 1m away)
- Pick a seat that's behind other people not in front.
- Don't bother with premium economy if the flight is less than half full, because premium economy has the wider seats with the immovable armrests so you can't lie down.
- Take some sanitising wipes just in case they don't provide these for wiping down video screen, tray table, seat belt clasp, etc.
- If it looks like you'll be in Japanese QH for 3 days, take some cup-a-noodles with you so you can have some hot food.
- Take an N95 mask for train transfers & any domestic flights, as you will be cheek to jowl with everybody else. Same on buses.
Based on my experience, I have some tips:
- Check your seat allocation a couple of weeks before your flight, to get an idea of how crowded the flight will be, then again about 2-3 days before.
- If the flights are way less than half full, change your seat so you have a full empty row. That way, you can lie down. If it's 3-3-3, take the window side, and if it's 2-4-2 take the centre. Here's is my next flight:
If you check two days before, you are in "C" and somebody has taken "G" in the same row, move to a different row. For example, I'd change to the row behind.
If you are in the main cabin, you have a better chance of getting an empty row if you are further back:
If there are TWO of you and plenty of empty rows, don't take the two window seats (like they have in 46 & 47^^), take the centre seats "D" & "F". Nobody will take "C" & "G". Make sure you pick a row that is empty both in front and behind so one of you can swap rows and you can both sleep in 4 seats.
- Don't take a bulkhead or exit row.... these have the immovable armrests so you can't lie down.
- Don't pick an aisle seat that is across the aisle from another person (less than 1m away)
- Pick a seat that's behind other people not in front.
- Don't bother with premium economy if the flight is less than half full, because premium economy has the wider seats with the immovable armrests so you can't lie down.
- Take some sanitising wipes just in case they don't provide these for wiping down video screen, tray table, seat belt clasp, etc.
- If it looks like you'll be in Japanese QH for 3 days, take some cup-a-noodles with you so you can have some hot food.
- Take an N95 mask for train transfers & any domestic flights, as you will be cheek to jowl with everybody else. Same on buses.