Seat Allocation

A few questions if i may as it will be the First Virgin flight i have taken
I noticed that in other posts seats 18a/k are not pre allocated until day of departure,
I am flying PE to Washington in October ,and having read that 19a/k have a limited view and row 21 has a lot of toilet noise!!!! The only seat that i can go for is 20a/b 20 h/k.

Problem is i have a bit of a phobia on sitting in the middle of an aircraft, even the ailse seat on a LHR-EDI trip brings me out in a sweat, what are the chances of Virgin taking this into consideration when the booking period opens? Are they sympathetic to weirdos like me?
And is the view from row 19 really restricted?

2) in Economy thay seem to hand out a 'goody' bag. it the PE one the same or does it have extras, esp on the overnight return, (a bit like the toiletry bag BA hand out in club

3) food same as economy or a different menu?


Think thats it for the moment, if there are more i will put them on

Thanks for you patience

[Nottingham Nick]

Welcome Silverfox

I am not sure of the answer to your first question, but would advise you to give VS a ring in advance and let them know the problem.

In answer to questions 2 and 3 - the food and goodie bags are the same in PE as they are in economy - the obvious difference being that you are assured of getting your first chopice of the three main courses.

The bags in each direction are different - the westbound one being a fair bit bigger.

Nick

On LGW 744 I am aware that the UC rows 11 and 12 can often be allocated to PE. Does anyone know when the decision is taken to assign these to PE and when so, what the best way of securing these?

Hi

I remember reading somewhere (scoured the sight so much that I can't remember exactly where!) that often on the LGW - MCO route PE is extended to rows 11 and 12 downstairs. My questions are:

1) Having pre-booked seats upstairs, would this stop us being re-allocated if the opportunity was there?

2) Do we enquire at check-in about teh availability of the seats or is it something that happens automatically?

3) If it's offered, should we take it?

This will be our first time travelling PE and we'd like to make the most of the experience.

Thanks in advance for any help ... and great site too!

Cheers

Nick

Dear Silverfox,

Firstly - the VS website will let you book a seat up to 365 days ahead of your flight - so you can do this now - we have just booked our seats on a St Lucia Flight next March!!!! So you should have no prob booking a window seat!!!

PE gives the same food amenity bag etc as Economy - but you get a nice glass of Champers when you get on!!!!

Never had the nice move into an UC seat from PE but my advice if you have already made seat reservations but fancy a change to a bulkhead or UC seat ( if available) is to ask at check in - and get there in good time - it doesnt hurt to ask and costs nothing - as ever the tips about upgrades are also worth checking out for a move into the UC seats -FC membership, no kids, no special meal, dress smart casual - etc!!

I got upgraded from Y to UC LAX-LHR unshaven, scruffy jeans and a t-shirt, and a big LAS hangover [xx(]

I guess being smart will help, but there's clearly not rules!

Guess you must have a nice smile then!!!! But you are a FC member and you obviously have tier points - so this helps!!!!

[buns]

Nick

quote:often on the LGW - MCO route PE is extended to rows 11 and 12 downstairs.

Having been one of the fortunate ones to get moved to row 11, if offered my advice would be to take it. 55" seat pitch alone is worth it - as mentioned before you will however still get an economy meal and goodie bag.

The only downsides are "sharing" the flight crew with economy (there are two cabin crew on the upstairs deck to look after only 40 people as opposed to 4 looking after closer to 100) and upstairs has 3 loos to choose from.

Wherever you are sitting, you will have a great time

Buns

Thanks for that Buns. Will get there early and see what transpires!

Cheers

Nick

Just claryfying Mark J's post

quote:Firstly - the VS website will let you book a seat up to 365 days ahead of your flight - so you can do this now - we have just booked our seats on a St Lucia Flight next March!!!! So you should have no prob booking a window seat!!!

IIRC, the website (along with many other scheduled airlines) will only let you book flights 336 days in advance - you can now book your seat at the same time. I think Virgin Holidays (and perhaps others) have a known allocation so they can sell in advance of the 336 days - however I'm sure that seat reservation only opens up at 336 days.

Silverfox, this shouldn't affect your ability to reserve available seats (usually not exit row or bulkhead) for October as you're well within this time - if you booked directly with VS and are a member of flying club you can do this online (or you can do it by phone). If your not a flying club member I'd be happy to sign you up under the miles more friends scheme - you don't need a referral but as well as you getting miles I'd get some too if you're travelling on a qualifying fare. I don't want MCuth thinking he's the only miles tart around here. Send me an email if you like.

Pat

quote:I don't want MCuth thinking he's the only miles tart around here.

ROTFL - I wouldn't dare to think so - Nottingham Nick's way ahead of me in those stakes :D

Cheers

Michael

[Nottingham Nick]

quote:Originally posted by mcuth
Nottingham Nick's way ahead of me in those stakes :D

Everyone has to have a hobby!! [:I][:I]

Nick

quote:Everyone has to have a hobby!! [:I][:I]

Absolutely - I think there's more like us around here that just aren't admitting it

Cheers

Michael

having just read this thread, thanks for the useful info i have found out that i can pass to my wife who has been trying to get through to Virgin for 4 days now to prebook our seats for the flights next may. we travel out PE from lgw -mco and travel back mco-lgw on uc, anyone any ideas for best seats and miles info please

Dougie,

My seat preferences on the MCO route are 79a/c in PE and 6a/c or 9a/c for UC.

I too have a booking for next April UC to MCO but at the moment I am unable to pre-book my seats. VA have informed me that VH have not yet released passenger names.

I made a quick call to VH to find out what was going on and they have advised that they do not release passenger names to VA anymore until 6 months before departure!! New to me as I've booked my seats for Decembers flight months ago[?]

Matt

Thanks for the info. I spoke to VA yesterday morning and have managed to get meals and seats pre-booked for our flights next may. May be worth giving VA a call on 0871 222 0050 cos ur flight is b4 ours so i cant see why you wouldnt be able to book. We also booked thru VH. Anyway i couldnt get exact seats wanted in PE but got 72A and 72C so i dont know what they are like, and in UC got 7A and 7C, again not sure what they are like any feedback much appreciated.

quote:Originally posted by dougie
and in UC got 7A and 7C, again not sure what they are like any feedback much appreciated.

As you can see from the seat ratings on this site, 7A/C are my favourite on the LGW planes in UC. 6A/C are good too, although a little claustraphobic for our tastes and also too near the cupboard... and in any case they tend not to preallocate row 6 in case of special needs passengers.

BC