T-80: how the rule works and how to use it to book the best seats on the plane

By TravelWiseSep 20, 2023 09:27 AMNews
Share:
A Qantas airplane. Source: CNN

The Australian airline Qantas is known for applying the "T-80" function to almost all flights. This means that the airline reserves a certain number of seats on the plane for its own needs, and then, 80 hours before departure, some of the seats are canceled and become available to passengers.

For adventurous travelers who are willing to buy tickets 80 hours before departure on vacation, this option may be ideal. This way, you can snatch the best seats. This life hack was shared by travel blogger Ben, who often shares his best travel tips on TikTok.

"Quite often, a lot of seats that were blocked by the airline are opened up. This way, you can still choose a seat even if it seems that it is not available if you log in," he explained.

Travel blogger Ben. Source: Screenshot from the video
Travel blogger Ben. Source: Screenshot from the video

Ben warned that you need to act quickly because you are not the only ones who know about this feature.

When asked why airlines block seats, he added that it "allows them to offer the advantage of better seats to frequent flyers [and] manage the balance of the aircraft if it is not full."

The seats that are most often reserved by the airline and open to passengers 80 hours before departure are the first row of economy class, which have extra legroom.

Ben's subscribers tried this trick and confirmed that it really works.

Top Articles

Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
More News

Bristol Airport Hit by Storm Disruption

Jun 23, 2026 23:42 PM

UK Rail Trips Hit by Heat Warning

Jun 23, 2026 23:39 PM

Japan Visa Fees Rise in July

Jun 23, 2026 23:26 PM

London’s Huge £437m Museum Opens This Year

Jun 23, 2026 23:13 PM

Barcelona Eyes a €30 Cruise Fee

Jun 23, 2026 22:57 PM

Zurich Airport Removes Liquid Restrictions for Departing Passengers

Jun 23, 2026 01:04 AM

Finnair Updates Rules for Power Banks and Lithium Battery Devices

Jun 23, 2026 00:11 AM

Jersey Gets a Bordeaux Wine Link

Jun 21, 2026 22:28 PM

Transavia Adds Praia and More Sal Flights

Jun 21, 2026 22:15 PM

Air Transat Opens Toronto to Tirana Route

Jun 21, 2026 22:02 PM

easyJet Adds Southend Edinburgh Flights

Jun 21, 2026 19:49 PM

Venice Eyes a €50 Day Trip Fee

Jun 21, 2026 19:36 PM

Vilnius Keeps Berlin Flights Through Winter

Jun 21, 2026 19:23 PM

Turkey Trips Stay Open, but One Border Warning Remains

Jun 21, 2026 19:17 PM

Bremen Gets a Turkish Aegean Shortcut

Jun 20, 2026 23:34 PM

Sweden’s First Hotel Indigo Heads to Stockholm

Jun 20, 2026 23:21 PM

Birmingham Gets a Three-Hour Escape to Tunisia

Jun 20, 2026 23:18 PM

Newcastle Gets Five Winter easyJet Routes

Jun 20, 2026 23:05 PM

Paris Opens a Cave on Its Oldest Bridge

Jun 20, 2026 22:42 PM

Admiralty Arch Starts Taking Hotel Bookings

Jun 20, 2026 22:29 PM

LOT Adds a Northern Lights Route

Jun 19, 2026 22:46 PM

The 18-Hour Train to Frankfurt Airport

Jun 19, 2026 22:33 PM

Marrakech Video Arrest Warns Travellers

Jun 19, 2026 22:27 PM

Birmingham Gets a Direct Cairo Link

Jun 19, 2026 22:14 PM

Bucharest Gets Its Summer Trains Back

Jun 19, 2026 22:01 PM

Emirates Adds Conflict Cover for Trips

Jun 19, 2026 01:28 AM