Pre-reserved seating/ 75 UKP for emergency exit?I

Ok, I know I am going to come across as a whining ass here. I am on a economy ticket about to depart for SFO, couldn't get anything else since both UC and PE where fully booked. So ok, I am going to experience VS economy for the first time ever, fine, I am ok with that.

I am not ok with paying 75 UKP !! for an emergency seat, a middle emergency seat! I mean, this is f**king retardation at work. On all other airlines I have gold/elite/whatever, I can choose the best seats whenever i want before anyone else, including emergency exit seats and bulkheads. Not so here, I can't get a bulkhead and I cannot get an emergency exit seat without paying.

Oh, and if you want to claim that VS needs to see me before allocating an exit seat, I call bull****. A) They have seen me a lot of times. B) They can just take the seat away from me if I am crippled.

Too add to the insult, there are no therapists free in the CH and all the showers are in use. And they are downgrading people from PE to Econ.

Bah, not impressed, quite sad considering the amazing experience I had coming over last week.

I am sorry, this has probably been discussed before, but I needed to vent.

[preiffer]

Umm - have you not been reading the site for a while now, sky

It's been the case for years, welcome to reality. [:w]



(PS - So did you pay it?)

Sounds like a bit of busy flight and not good that virtually all your hard earned FF benefits came to naught. As to the Exit row charge, welcome to the world of Y travel.

Originally posted by sky
and if you want to claim that VS needs to see me before allocating an exit seat, I call bull****. A) They have seen me a lot of times. B) They can just take the seat away from me if I am crippled.

A long time since I've heard that term used and can you just imagine the outcry if that approach was adopted ?

Paul

Originally posted by pjh
Sounds like a bit of busy flight and not good that virtually all your hard earned FF benefits came to naught. As to the Exit row charge, welcome to the world of Y travel....

Not so! One of my pet rants, from many a thread.... Other airlines DO NOT CHARGE for exit row seats and DO allow you to pre book them at OLCI.

I've got a UC flight on Wednesday, but sadly a few weeks later I'm on the return in Y... and my bally cheap skate company even got a non miles upgradeable ticket. Looks like it'll be the old tripping every one up in the aisle trick again. No way am I paying extra for an exit row.

[Neil]

I cannot see the problem. VS quite openly say what their policy is regarding Exit Row seats and if we like it or not thats the way it is. VS are not the only carrier who do this but there are others who don't, so the choice is yours. We had a recent poll/discussion on this in the clubhouse and if you are flying Y then it is your choice to who you choose to fly with. Don't choose VS, knowing their policy and then moan about it.

Perhaps a little aerated and pejorative language for a family site Sky?

Originally posted by PVGSLF

Originally posted by pjh
Sounds like a bit of busy flight and not good that virtually all your hard earned FF benefits came to naught. As to the Exit row charge, welcome to the world of Y travel....

Not so! One of my pet rants, from many a thread.... Other airlines DO NOT CHARGE for exit row seats and DO allow you to pre book them at OLCI.

I've got a UC flight on Wednesday, but sadly a few weeks later I'm on the return in Y... and my bally cheap skate company even got a non miles upgradeable ticket. Looks like it'll be the old tripping every one up in the aisle trick again. No way am I paying extra for an exit row.

Sorry, should have clarified, welcome to the world of Y travel in VS.

Paul

Originally posted by Attitude23
I cannot see the problem. VS quite openly say what their policy is regarding Exit Row seats and if we like it or not thats the way it is. VS are not the only carrier who do this but there are others who don't, so the choice is yours. We had a recent poll/discussion on this in the clubhouse and if you are flying Y then it is your choice to who you choose to fly with. Don't choose VS, knowing their policy and then moan about it.

Indeed!.... It's the miles that get me. But i'm still going to moan about it.
A tax against tall people if you ask me! Heightest. Discriminatory, (against both the tall and the poor, of which I am both) moan, moan, moan.

[V]

Originally posted by Attitude23
I cannot see the problem. VS quite openly say what their policy is regarding Exit Row seats and if we like it or not thats the way it is. VS are not the only carrier who do this but there are others who don't, so the choice is yours. We had a recent poll/discussion on this in the clubhouse and if you are flying Y then it is your choice to who you choose to fly with. Don't choose VS, knowing their policy and then moan about it.

Yes, and I think that policy is inane. So your argument is if I don't like something I should just shut-up?

I am sorry, but I didn't actually have much choice in the matter, try flying in to San Francisco for the Intel Developer Forum when you can only book a few days in advance because of a funeral.

And as a last f**k-up, priority luggage was not functioning.

Originally posted by preiffer
Umm - have you not been reading the site for a while now, sky

It's been the case for years, welcome to reality. [:w]



(PS - So did you pay it?)

True that I haven't been keeping up, if I had I wouldn't have been shocked by the amenity kit I got in UC. .

But not true that it always been 75 UKP for emergency exit seat on LHR-SFO.

Originally posted by sailor99
Perhaps a little aerated and pejorative language for a family site Sky?

And I tried the hardest to moderate myself. [B)], what was OTT?

Agree with Simon, Virgin's exit row policy is like a charter airline. FC Au should be able to book them through OLCI and online like with other serious carriers. That said, while these rules are there, the have to be adhered to.

Originally posted by sky

Originally posted by sailor99
Perhaps a little aerated and pejorative language for a family site Sky?

And I tried the hardest to moderate myself. [B)], what was OTT?

Not a big deal sky:D. I guess I just had in mind that I wouldn't want my nieces and nephews reading some of the words you used, even if good sections of them were starred out. But, just to show my double standards, you should hear my language at times!

My personal point of view is that if you start with the premise that is is not VS's problem if I am 6"4' and have a fragment in my knee which makes it lock painfully when bent unmoved for more than an hour, then why should they make special provision for my comfort? This would then lead you to the conclusion that the bulkhead and exit seats should be available to everyone. In this case the £75 to bagsy a seat seems pretty reasonable to me. After all you are paying a fraction of the price of a PE ticket for what is IMHO the key benefit of PE - leg room. I do however see that maybe it could be an additional perk for Au.

However the bigger issue for me is that VS are not leading the field in terms of a Y product because of the leg room issue(31" v 32"-34" on other major players). But the recent poll here seemed to indicate that leg room, whilst very important, was far from the only issue in choosing a Y carrier.

Choosing a Y carrier poll

Leg room still captures 33% of the complaints, and "the whole package" seems a little undefined.

On United I get 36" in economy, on BA short-haul I get 32" and on Southwest I get 34".

I didn't really follow the conclusions that the bulkhead and exit seats should be available to everyone.

In the future, if I am in a situation where I have to fly Y, I think I shall use United and use status or if I was without status pay to go into 36" PE for less than what VS charges for an emergency exit seat.

Also, I got told I couldn't have a bulkhead seat because of infants, but only one bulkhead had an infant, rest where normal travellers. Whinge whinge whinge .

(The food onboard was good though, both on UC to LHR and in Y from LHR).

[preiffer]

Those figures are not in any way comparable, sky - your UA legroom figure is from E+ (something earned with status/paying for it).

Their STANDARD legroom is 32", as is BA's, as is AA's, as is VS'

[Decker]

Sky. I think you'll find this is the reason why a number of forum regulars won't fly VS if it has to be in Y. I actually swore never to fly them again after one particularly uncomfortable Y trip and it was only discounted PE that got me back on board! But for others leg room isn't so important.

Originally posted by sky
And as a last f**k-up, priority luggage was not functioning.

Yup, that happened to me the other week too, but it was ok flying back into LHR (makes a refreshing change!) - just sent a complaint letter in...

Cheers

Michael

Originally posted by preiffer


Their STANDARD legroom is 32", as is BA's, as is AA's, as is VS'

I think it should be:
BA 31"
VS 30/31" (mostly 31)
AA 33"

And from the less 'premium' airlines - you know the ones - the cheaper ones who you would not want to be beaten by if you were BA or VS:

China Eastern 32-34
Eva 33
Aeroflot 32
Aerolineas Argentias 32-34
Air China 33
Avianca 34
Horizon 32
TAP 33
Varig 34

But I stand to be corrected by less knowledgeable people;):D

[preiffer]

Originally posted by sailor99
But I stand to be corrected by less knowledgeable people;):D

Ah, I'll let you have that one... [:?]

Decent ish guide here.


I guess my point was more around the fact that sky was comparing UA's PREMIUM (ish) economy product with the STANDARD products of other airlines, including VS. Of course UA will win on that basis - but the cabin is not their STANDARD available cabin, you have to be there through either payment or status.

Technically, that £75/50 "upgrade fee" on VS is for 60" legroom in some cases [:w]

Originally posted by sailor99
VS 30/31" (mostly 31)

My understanding was the with the reconfig of the new Ycl seats the seat pitch was to be made 32" at every row... this is certainly the case on the A346s... not sure about LGW 744s... though they are getting the new Wcl seats after LHR, so would guess the same would apply for Ycl.

Yep Paul, that was the one I was looking at too

Originally slipped into a previous post by Sky
Also, I got told I couldn't have a bulkhead seat because of infants, but only one bulkhead had an infant, rest where normal travellers.

This drives me nuts! The number of times I have not been able to get a bulkhead seat, then get on the plane only to find the Shorthouse family sitting in them with not a baby in sight. Argh!!!

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by sailor99
The number of times I have not been able to get a bulkhead seat, then get on the plane only to find the Shorthouse family sitting in them with not a baby in sight. Argh!!!

You've seen us onboard then!

Thanks,
Sarah

Originally posted by HighFlyer


You've seen us onboard then!

OMG I didn't realise you were related to that family! I thought, due to your nobility, you just never stood up when we met at socials.

Originally posted by preiffer
Those figures are not in any way comparable, sky - your UA legroom figure is from E+ (something earned with status/paying for it).

Their STANDARD legroom is 32", as is BA's, as is AA's, as is VS'

And E+ usually costs less than an emergency exit seat. But, I was comparing what I get when I have status, and UA I get E+. On VS I don't even get a bulkhead.

So, I am comparing what I am getting as a elite card holder in both cases.

Originally posted by Decker
Sky. I think you'll find this is the reason why a number of forum regulars won't fly VS if it has to be in Y. I actually swore never to fly them again after one particularly uncomfortable Y trip and it was only discounted PE that got me back on board! But for others leg room isn't so important.

I am with you on this, next time I have to go Y I think it will be Air NZ with 34" and mile earning.