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
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.

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

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

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

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
airBaltic Airbus A220 aircraft climbing after departure

airBaltic Pauses Dubai Flights Until Late March

Mar 12, 2026 22:36 PM
Rail maintenance work on the West Coast Main Line

Easter Rail Works to Close Key West Coast Routes for Six Days

Mar 12, 2026 22:27 PM

Lufthansa Keeps Majority of Flights During Pilot Strike

Mar 12, 2026 00:42 AM

Ryanair Expands Regional Germany Network for Summer 2026

Mar 12, 2026 00:34 AM
Hilton mobile app displayed on smartphone screen

Hilton Tests AI Trip Planner on Its Booking Website

Mar 11, 2026 23:18 PM
Montréal skyline viewed from Mount Royal overlooking downtown

Montréal Rental Limits Could Leave Visitors Short of Beds in 2026

Mar 11, 2026 23:01 PM
Cologne Cathedral Gothic façade with twin spires viewed from below

Cologne Cathedral to Introduce Tourist Entry Fee

Mar 11, 2026 22:55 PM
Santa Claus portrait with surprised expression on red background

LaplandUK Christmas Experience Tickets Go on Sale This March

Mar 11, 2026 22:49 PM
Geothermal springs and steam vents in Icelandic highlands

Iceland’s Geothermal Bathing Tradition Nominated for UNESCO Heritage List

Mar 11, 2026 22:33 PM

American Airlines Plans Larger Admirals Club Lounge in Austin

Mar 11, 2026 05:36 AM

Middle East Tensions Begin to Shift Global Travel Plans

Mar 11, 2026 05:27 AM
Canoe on a calm forest lake in Finland

What Makes Finland Feel Good to Live In

Mar 11, 2026 00:52 AM
Lufthansa aircraft taxiing at an airport

Lufthansa Group Adds Extra Long-Haul Flights as Demand Jumps

Mar 11, 2026 00:04 AM
Philippine Airlines aircraft flying under cloudy sky

Philippine Airlines Extends Middle East Flight Cancellations Into Mid-March

Mar 10, 2026 23:58 PM
Tornado funnel cloud over open farmland

Loganair Offers Free Rebooking as Weather Warning Hits Scottish Islands

Mar 10, 2026 23:41 PM

United Airlines Warns: Loud Phone Audio Could Lead To Flight Ban

Mar 10, 2026 23:35 PM

Edinburgh Gains Daily New York Flight For Summer

Mar 9, 2026 23:39 PM
Kyrenia harbour with boats and waterfront buildings in northern Cyprus

Cyprus Holidays Dip After Drone Incident

Mar 9, 2026 23:23 PM
Woman standing near a “No Access” sign by the sea

Places Around the World Where Women Still Face Entry Bans

Mar 9, 2026 23:16 PM
White buildings and blue-domed church overlooking Santorini caldera

Island-Hopping Trips Gain Momentum Across Europe

Mar 9, 2026 23:07 PM
Airbnb listings displayed on a laptop screen during an online accommodation search

AI Travel Scams Are Getting Harder to Spot

Mar 9, 2026 22:52 PM
China Eastern widebody aircraft landing on airport runway

China Eastern Brings Direct Shanghai Flights Back to Stockholm

Mar 9, 2026 22:44 PM

EU Border Control Goes Digital With New Entry/Exit System

Mar 8, 2026 15:28 PM

SAS Returns to Riga With Daily Copenhagen Flights

Mar 8, 2026 13:01 PM
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque reflected in lagoon in Brunei

Brunei–London Flights Go Direct as Dubai Stop Paused

Mar 8, 2026 12:55 PM
airBaltic Airbus A220 aircraft on snowy runway

airBaltic Schedules Third Dubai Repatriation Flight to Riga

Mar 7, 2026 03:39 AM