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
Alpine hotel surrounded by snowy Courchevel slopes

Courchevel Lines Up Two New Alpine Hotels

May 16, 2026 13:15 PM
airBaltic aircraft taking off against a blue sky

airBaltic Adds More Alpine Winter Flights

May 16, 2026 13:02 PM

TAP Air Gives Travellers Free Date Changes

May 16, 2026 12:59 PM

Seattle Plans a Floating World Cup Party

May 15, 2026 18:36 PM
flydubai aircraft flying over coastal waters

Dubai Opens a New Route to Libya

May 15, 2026 18:23 PM
AnimaWings aircraft taking off at Vienna Airport

Vienna Gets a Direct Cluj Link

May 15, 2026 18:17 PM
easyJet aircraft landing near a city skyline

easyJet Opens Spring 2027 Flights Early

May 15, 2026 18:04 PM
British passport held in a person’s hand

Passport Rules Could Catch Out Summer Travellers

May 15, 2026 17:51 PM
Mountain lake in Banff National Park

Canada Makes National Parks Free This Summer

May 15, 2026 17:38 PM

Summer Airfares Send Mixed Signals

May 14, 2026 22:45 PM

Ryanair Pulls Its Thessaloniki Winter Base

May 14, 2026 22:32 PM
Qatar Airways aircraft flying through the sky

Qatar Airways Restores Abu Dhabi Flights

May 14, 2026 22:29 PM
Slovak Lines bus outside Bratislava Airport

Vienna Gets a Direct Bratislava Airport Bus

May 14, 2026 22:16 PM
Passengers boarding a Ryanair aircraft

Ryanair Tightens Its Bag Checks Again

May 14, 2026 22:03 PM
Finnair aircraft on an airport runway

Finnair Adds More Summer Routes From Helsinki

May 14, 2026 21:57 PM

Qatar Airways Restores Helsinki and Haneda Flights

May 14, 2026 21:44 PM

EU Plans One-Ticket Rail Trips

May 14, 2026 21:31 PM
Passengers checking in at an airport lounge

Birmingham Airport Gets More Lounge Choice

May 13, 2026 12:18 PM
Passengers boarding an easyJet aircraft

Nantes Adds Brussels and Essaouira Flights

May 13, 2026 12:05 PM
Milan Cathedral at sunset

JetBlue Lands Its First Italy Route

May 13, 2026 11:52 AM
Lumo train travelling on railway tracks

Cheap Lumo Trains Head for Stirling

May 13, 2026 11:49 AM
Uber Boat sailing on the River Thames in London

Uber Adds Boats to Its European App

May 13, 2026 11:36 AM

United Brings Back Its Caracas Route

May 13, 2026 11:23 AM

Paderborn Keeps Its Alicante Winter Flights

May 13, 2026 11:17 AM
Festival crowd facing a purple-lit stage

Download Festival Traffic Warning for East Midlands Flyers

May 13, 2026 11:04 AM
Tel Aviv coastline with city skyline

Tel Aviv Flights Return to Salzburg

May 12, 2026 14:51 PM