At least half the long-haul flight will be in relative comfort

Despite joining Qantas Club I was informed that I would have to wait until 7 days before my flight to try and purchase an exit row seat, on the aisle, with unlimited legroom.  To my surprise, when logging in I discovered that all exit row seats had already been purchased for the 1st leg of my journey - damn, that means whilst I get an aisle seat, I will have to put up with the comparatively cramped economy seat.  At least I could spend the extra $160 on an exit row seat for the way home - I s'pose I am at least partially satisfied - the trip on the way home is at night, so the extra leg room will come in very handy.  So - the moral of the story is, despite the advertised 7 day rule, check your flight booking regularly in the lead-up to your departure date - you may just find that the exit row purchase option opens earlier than you think - for the sake of $160, you get a far more comfortable ride and the possibility of sleep - bliss....