Mauritius Flights.

Morning all,

This is my first post since becoming a paid member today. I've always used the forums but never posted, now i feel its about time i start to contribute and actually add something.

My wife and i got married in Barbados last yeat and had some issues with Virgin. Read these articles save me explaining.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/apr/25/1
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/au ... meraffairs

So, with 2 red select vouchers we're off to Mauritius on Sunday and i wanted to know whether we'd be flying in the A346 or A343. I've had a look on the 'which aircraft' but cannot see the last months flights. Another question is regarding the luggage restrictions. When we flew to Barbados in June, we were allocated 2 suitcases each weighing no more than i think 23 kgs, whereas Mauritius and other south indian ocean flights are 1 piece of luggage at 23 kgs. Is this due to the distance of the flight and weight restrictions taking into account fuel levels on takeoff?

Virgin have said that if there is space in PE, we'll get free upgrades due to the trouble in the past. The E-tickets have been emailed with the economy class seating. I was told to call them once the booking was made, which i did, and the lady said that we should be upgraded automatically now that i'd called, so my next question is...will i be able to see if i'm automatically upgraded when i try the checkin online on Saturday evening?

Thanks for any answers, it's much appreciated. Any questions regarding our previous encounter with Virgin i'll happily answer.

Chris,

quote:Originally posted by ck_002

So, with 2 red select vouchers we're off to Mauritius on Sunday and i wanted to know whether we'd be flying in the A346 or A343.


Currently showing as an A343.

[Neil]

Hi Chris, and welcome to V-Flyer.

The best way to work out which a/c you are due to be flying on is the check the manage my booking section on the Virgin flight, this will show you the seat map for the a/c and then you will be able to match it to one of the a/c in the seat maps section on here.

I am sure others will be along to help with your other questions, but I hope you have a better experience this time and don't forget to write us a TR on your return.

Neil

Hi Tinkerbell,

Thanks for the info. Any ideas which AC? Vport maybe?

Hi Neil,

Thanks for the info. I'll have a look now and see. I signed up to the virgin frequent flyer and claimed the air miles for Barbados. When they send the card through, is it used for anything in particular?

I'll post a TP and will also try to video the outward and inward journeys, hopefully posting the vid somewhere on my own site.

Again, thanks for the comments

quote:Originally posted by ck_002
Hi Tinkerbell,

Thanks for the info. Any ideas which AC? Vport maybe?


You will not know which particular a/c you will be on until you look out of the window at the gate. Only one of the A343's has V-Port - so if you see G-VSUN out of the window, it's your lucky day! [:D]

If you do get upgraded at OLCI, on the final screen you will see a message saying:

'Congratulations you have been upgraded to Premium Economy - please proceed to Fast Bag Drop at the the airport'

On this screen, you will also be able to select what seats you would like in whatever cabin you have been checked into.

quote:Originally posted by ck_002

I'll post a TP and will also try to video the outward and inward journeys, hopefully posting the vid somewhere on my own site.

Just to let you know you are only permitted to film onboard with permission of the crew

[Neil]

quote:Originally posted by ck_002
Hi Neil,
Thanks for the info. I'll have a look now and see. I signed up to the virgin frequent flyer and claimed the air miles for Barbados. When they send the card through, is it used for anything in particular?


The simple answer is no, your FC Red card is pretty useless really. Just ensure your FC number is logged against any flights you take etc so you can earn miles (although not sure if you will earn them on this flight with you using the select voucher).

Neil

quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle


Just to let you know you are only permitted to film onboard with permission of the crew



What about still photos?

I do hope you get an upgrade after reading about your wedding wows, hope this trip is a lot smoother.

quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle


Just to let you know you are only permitted to film onboard with permission of the crew



What about still photos?


Still photos are no problem - just don't take any pictures of anyone (crew or other passengers) without their permission either.

quote:



Still photos are no problem - just don't take any pictures of anyone (crew or other passengers) without their permission either.


Yes Miss[:D]

Welcome to V-flyer! The flights are looking available in all 3 classes. J3 D3 R3 Z2 W7 S7 K7 Y7 B7 L7 M7 Q7 X7 N7 So you should get the upgrade to PE.

Reading the article in the Guardian re the lost luggage. How come you put the rings, wedding dress and camera in your checked luggage? Items of value should always go with you as your carry on. (Also VS have a wardrobe for coats etc)

Hope you have a great trip. MRU is a beautiful island, and the people are just lovely. I was there a few years back for my birthday and had a great time,

Dominic

Thanks for all the replies.

A343 Could be a nice slow climb, unless its half full.

I'll make sure before any photographic equipment comes out the bag that i check with the cabin crew.
In anycase, the camera will be pointing out the windows. What should happen if an airplane is beside us 1000ft across and my zoom catches their pilot? Should i ask the captain to request their permission over the radio? lol..

Thanks Again.

quote:Originally posted by ck_002

In anycase, the camera will be pointing out the windows.



That will be fine. [8D]

I've gone to the online manage my booking and was able to select seats 54a/c once i completed i didn't get a message with upgrade info..;-( However, looking back at the email this is what it said,

Mr & Mrs Kerr, I'd like to assure you that we do appreciate how upsetting
> this situation must be for you, especially as you were returning from
> getting married abroad, and that your case contained not only your
> belongings but memories as well.
>
> Therefore, as a gesture of goodwill, I'd like to offer you both a space
> available upgrade to our Premium Economy cabin on your next return trip
> with Virgin Atlantic.
>
> This is subject to there being space in the relevant cabin at the airport
> on the day of departure, however, our ground staff will do their very best
> to help you.
>
> Please call this office on 0870 46 46 747 (option 4) when you have made
> your booking and we'll make the necessary arrangements. I'm afraid we
> can't offer the upgrade on our partner flights.

So, sounds like i won't know until i'm at the airport..

On the last day of departure, we got a call from the virgin rep wanting all 8 of us to delay our return flight as they overbooked. (Hence free flights) so we did, however they promised us that we'd be able to stay in the Turtle Beach for the extra night, which was wrong, we had to travel about a mile to the barbados beach club and check in there at last minute, so we just threw all the items out the safe into the case as we had to sort out a bag of clothes for the day thinking that they would keep our luggage for the check in chill out at Turtle Beach. We then found out that our baggage could have come from Turtle Beach as Check in Chill out was offered here also.

quote:Originally posted by ck_002
I've gone to the online manage my booking and was able to select seats 54a/c once i completed i didn't get a message with upgrade info..;-( However, looking back at the email this is what it said,

Mr & Mrs Kerr, I'd like to assure you that we do appreciate how upsetting
> this situation must be for you, especially as you were returning from
> getting married abroad, and that your case contained not only your
> belongings but memories as well.
>
> Therefore, as a gesture of goodwill, I'd like to offer you both a space
> available upgrade to our Premium Economy cabin on your next return trip
> with Virgin Atlantic.
>
> This is subject to there being space in the relevant cabin at the airport
> on the day of departure, however, our ground staff will do their very best
> to help you.
>
> Please call this office on 0870 46 46 747 (option 4) when you have made
> your booking and we'll make the necessary arrangements. I'm afraid we
> can't offer the upgrade on our partner flights.

So, sounds like i won't know until i'm at the airport..





On reading the EMail sounds as though you should not have done OLCI but used the traditional check in desks - I hope this has not messed up your free upgrade offer ! If I was you I would get to the airport VERY early with a copy of your Email and plead you case.

Hackneyguy

Thats was the plan anyhow to get there email in hand... Do you know if i'll be able to make calls to the 0870 number come Sunday if there was any problems?

Doing OLCI won't effect the upgrade as by the looks of it will only be done at check in. However they may not confirm your upgrade until check in closes as they may have last minute upgrades (paid etc). So you should hopefully hear the magic beep at the gate.

Dominic

Thanks for the reply Dominic,

Sounds a pain in the rear, but whatever lets us get a free upgrade. Sounds like they'll do as much as possible to fill the empty seats with paying passengers which is understandable. From what i've read in the forums, Virgin don't normally discount PE, UC at the airport. So, hopefully we should have the seats.

quote:Originally posted by ck_002
Thanks for the reply Dominic,

Sounds a pain in the rear, but whatever lets us get a free upgrade. Sounds like they'll do as much as possible to fill the empty seats with paying passengers which is understandable. From what i've read in the forums, Virgin don't normally discount PE, UC at the airport. So, hopefully we should have the seats.


I am not sure sure I agree with that notion - as a very reqular on VS it is VERY common to see seat upgrades available - esp at Gatwick, going cheap at check-in for PE and as TINKERBELL suggested in her posting, your booking should have been upgraded at either the desk or OLCI (there should not have been a difference in your case). So look out for a check in supervisor or wait for the bllep at the gate.

HG

Ok, ill take your advice and track someone down.

Thanks again for taking the time out to reply.

Chris

Hi Chris

With regard to the space available upgrades, I've been in a similar situation with BA where they offered me a space available upgrade from WT plus to Club World. In this case I informed them when I booked and even when I checked in, but the upgrade was not completed at those times. The upgrade only happened at the gate itself where the machine beeped and I was upgraded.

My recommendation is to check in online as normal in the class you've booked and then also go to the check in desks at the airport along with the copy of the email you have. But I doubt you'll be upgraded until you're about to board the aircraft.

Hope this comes off well and Mauritius is fabulous.

But why did you put your rings in hold luggage [:?] - a salient point for all!

Afternoon all!

Well, i'm back from Mauritius, brown and relaxed. However had to return to work Tuesday afternoon for a Pre Conference meal after landing at 10.15pm on Monday night so i'm knackered.

Oubound flight was upgraded on the touch screen check-in for me, the wife hadn't been upgraded automatically so we had to speak with Customer Services, this was due to the seats not being next to one another. Once at the gate, we were given seats together in PE. Row 21 H/K on G-VFAR (Diana)

Inbound upgrades were last minute at the gate before boarding. It looked like they had a bunch of tickets for some 'no-shows' so they handed us 2 tickets for PE on G-VSUN (Rainbow Lady) with V-Port seats 18 F/G.

Thanks for all the help and advice, i had a great time in Mauritius and will post both trip reports once i've had time to finish them.

Chris