Booking seats on Virgin Atlantic

We booked to go to Orlando Oct 06 for 18 night, but due to Virgin Holidays policy of not releasing names to Virgin Atlantic until 337 days before your RETURN flight anyone booking a 14 night holiday can reserve their seats first, some 4-5 days before me. I am going PE so there is even less choice of seats in the first place. I glad I paid extra money for the extra days! All I want is to ensure my family (2 adults 2 young children) Do you think Virgin Holidays are bothered, NO.[n]

In my expereience, when booking flights that far ahead, I have never had any difficulties booking the seats that I want in Premium. So I wouldn't worry too much at this stage

[HighFlyer]

All I want is to ensure my family (2 adults 2 young children)

Didnt get the rest of the sentance, but i presume you meant that you wanted to ensure your family are all seated together?

Like most carriers, Virgin do try to ensure that families are seated together, even if you have unreserved seats. I have been onboard VS flights that have been delayed or had announcements asking lone travellers if they would consider moving to accomodate families and groups.

In the case of travelling with children, i believe that one adult from the party is always seated with the children travelling? Im sure someone with kids on here can confirm this?

I really wouldnt worry too much about pre-booking, there will still be plenty of seats left (only a percentage are available to pre-allocate) and also, seat reservations are never final. You could pre-book your seats to find they are changed at check-in (possibly to accomodate a family [:I]).

Check the VA FAQ's here for more information.

[Nottingham Nick]

JDS - Welcome to V-Flyer

I agree with Elaine (and Sarah;) ) , I don't think it will be an issue.

Are you after particular seats?

Nick

The plane is not going to fill up that quickly that four days is going to make that much difference this far in advance. As you get closer to the actual flight date, then yes, you might have problems with seat allocation, but booking that far in advance you will not have any problems.
AFAIR, even if you book direct with Virgin Atlantic(or any scheduled carrier) you would not be able to assign seats any quicker than the 336 day limit

(Welcome to V-Flyer by the way)

336 days is still 11 months before flight date so I wouldn't worry either. I can only speak personally, but I don't usually book anywhere near that far ahead and suspect many others don't either. In your situation, I'd simply mark my calendar and diary to flap up 336 days before and then reserve your seats.

Good luck.

Yep, the 11 month policy (336 days) is the same when booking any airline ticket, nothing to do with Virgin Holidays. When I was booking reward flights for next October direct with Virgin Atlantic I called to make the booking exactly on the 336 day threshold for the return flight

JDS,

I have had no difficulty reserving specific seats that far ahead. However,unless things have changed since we took our grandchildren to Orlando last year, can you not reserve your outward seats separately from your incoming. ie you book your flight to MCO at the 336(?) day point and then your return on its 336 day point? I'm sure that this is what I managed to do for previous VS flights and this would at least solve half of your dilemna;)

Main thing is, don't worry. As HighFlyer says, like all other carriers, VS have a responsibility to ensure as far as possible that families sit together.

Thanks for all your replies. I am not after particular seats, but we have had 77 ACHK, these we very good.

You were all right about not worrying, just managed to book my seat and had the pick of any of the PE seats! Choose 74 A,C,H,K. I have had 77 in the past but thought 74 would be better as the seats appeared to be more parallel not staggered as 77.

[Pete]

Excellent [y]

Originally posted by JDS
You were all right about not worrying, just managed to book my seat and had the pick of any of the PE seats! Choose 74 A,C,H,K. I have had 77 in the past but thought 74 would be better as the seats appeared to be more parallel not staggered as 77.

Wouldn't dream of saying 'told you so'[:p]

Well done JDS - even got your preferred seats[y]

I'm still the only one showing in PE for my flights in March. Hopefully it'll stay that way