Bulkhead Seats REALLY Released at Check-In?

Call me cynical [:w](all together now) but are bulkhead seats - and I'm particularly thinking of PE/346 seats - released when check-in opens? And what does check-in opening REALLY mean (as I've been able to check-in in the past for a flight BEFORE the check-in for a flight is really supposed to have happened)?

Faced with a long flight to SYD in PE I want to try and get the PE Bulkhead row (not the centre section though!), to try and minimise the discomfort. So....... for a 21:30 departure, what time should I check-in/be able to check-in to give myself the best chance of snagging one of the bulkhead row seats in PE???[?]

Thanks.

The allocation appears to be completely random in my experience.

Am i right in thinking that these arent charged £50 extra (as is case with exit rows / bulkheads in Economy assigned at checkin)??
If so - is it not possible to pick one when using the Online CheckIn ??
Beyond that, did you ask about availability when making the booking?
I was actually offered front-row of the upstairs PE section on VS45/46 PE when I booked my flights to NYC... Although having read reveiews on here I asked for the last row. While I know this differs a bit to config & the exit rows/bulkheads on the 346's , is it therefore possible that you could snag it now?

I was able to once get bulkhead seats in EC even when I didn't do OLCI.

No, you can't pre-select these seats online during an online check-in, nor can you choose them at the time of a phone-booking. The response is always the same - these seats are allocated at check-in. Now, some would say that's because they don't want a 94 yr old frail Russian granny being unable to open the door in an emergency [n] - however, they could just as easily check that when you turned up at the check-in and re-allocate as necessary...[y]

These should be pre-selectable BUT subject to re-allocation if it turns out you're a 3 stone wuss and for safety's sake they need to move you to a more sensible seat.[i]

All this said, if check in for a particular flight opens lets say at midday, but an earlier flight check in opens at say 10:00am, would I be able to check in for the later flight, get my seat even though IN THEORY my flight wasn't checking in yet???[:I]

I'm sure you used to be able to do this - I'd check in very early for a SYD flight if I thought I could get that bulkhead seat... anyone with Check-In knowledge care to comment on this?[:w]

[mitchja]

I could be wrong but could these seats be held for families with babies in order to use the sky cots?

Originally posted by williestott
Am i right in thinking that these arent charged £50 extra (as is case with exit rows / bulkheads in Economy assigned at checkin)??

It's now actually £50 for flights under 10 hrs and £75 for flights over 10 hrs.

Regards

I've always got bulkhead seats held for me though being a Wheelchair user I always liase with Special Assistance

Originally posted by mitchja
It's now actually £50 for flights under 10 hrs and £75 for flights over 10 hrs.

Regards

So if you pay your £50 for a flight to MIA which is generally around 9hrs 45mins and then the head winds are so strong the flight take another 20 mins to arrive do they charge your £25 when you get off the plane?:D:D:D

Why don't they 'offer' pre-booking of bulk head seats for say an extra £100 at time of booking to secure these seats subject to confirmation of your health standing at the airport.

You may now be thinking that this is either harsh (well it is a perk and I would pay it) and if no one take it up you can take your chance at a cheaper cost at check-in. It also works on first come first serve which is how seat allocation should work. What about parent's with children I hear you ask? Why does this give you the right to anything special? Everyone should be dealt with equally. If you are a parent with a child you should know you need to act quickly. And before I get deluged with comments from parents just think about the set-up for passengers that are tall or larger than average; these passenger are not given special seats for 'free'.

Paul
Paul

[preiffer]

{frantically looking for a "duck-for-cover" smiley [:0]}


While the point may not be entirely diplomatic, or easy to swallow, I do have to agree with Paul on this [:?]. If EVERY "group" of people (families, taller people, injured people, disabled people, wider people, etc) who rightly or wrongly claimed ownership of a bulkhead seat each got one, the plane would have to be made up of nothing BUT bulkheads!

I know that's not a "politically correct" thing to say, but it does have to stop somewhere - and there simply aren't enough exit/bulkhead seats to cope with the number of people who feel they deserve one.


However - back on topic, while I can understand the need to see people for exit seat regulations, are we sure you can't reserve a bulkhead seat online, 24 hours before?

Originally posted by preiffer
{frantically looking for a "duck-for-cover" smiley [:0]}

Yes I was looking for one of those also. My comments where not meant to be inciteful, rather that, as Paul states, a lot of 'groups' could lay claim to those seats.

I was able to use OLCI when returning back from NYC last Nov and I was in PE. I could not select the bulk head seats at that time but I have no idea if they where reserved by the system or taken already.

Paul

editted to correct my spelling (AGAIN!)

Me and the wife flew PE to JFK last year and we couldn't pre book the bulkhead seats, neither could we book them using on line check in. we did however get these seats outbound and on our return we flew back on the upper deck and had exit row seats. we was first in the que at check in.

we didn't have to pay anything extra, i'm sure its only economy that have to pay the extra charge for these seats.

Bulkhead seats are FREE only the exits get charged for.

Bulkhead seats are normally held until last minute in case of any families or passengers requiring special assistance.

You can check in for your HKG flight at t3 from 7am!

people check in ALL day for the HKG flight for some strange reason.

Thanks Declan, that answers one of my questions - how come when I turn up 4+ hours early/before dep all the Bulkhead seats are gone - so for the HKG flight I can check in 14.5 hours early [:0]! Have to take a good book with me I think...

If you have an infant in your booking you can get an economy bulkhead seat from Res.

In PE, bulkhead seats AREN'T released til the day of check in.

The reason they're not given out to every Tom Dick or Harry is precisely because you are just Tom Dick or Harry. As they have a bit of extra room it's more fair from a comfort point of view to offer these to certain passengers, such as infants, disabled pax, other special assistance pax, not just because you're trying to get a better seat than the one you've paid for.

Not only that but they wouldn't think twice about reallocating a bulkhead seat for someone with a greater need, and you'd only find out at the gate.

Personally i don't see what the fuss is. There's no where to put your belongings, you're near kids, and the extra leg room? Hardly at all.

HKG can not only be checked in from 06:00 in the morning, it's one of those flights where people actually turn up at this time. People get really angry at check in sometimes when they can't get their seat allocation because they've all gone - but gone are the days when 3 hours before departure is an ok time to check in.

Originally posted by Lipstick


The reason they're not given out to every Tom Dick or Harry is precisely because you are just Tom Dick or Harry. As they have a bit of extra room it's more fair from a comfort point of view to offer these to certain passengers, such as infants, disabled pax, other special assistance pax, not just because you're trying to get a better seat than the one you've paid for.

Not only that but they wouldn't think twice about reallocating a bulkhead seat for someone with a greater need, and you'd only find out at the gate.

Personally i don't see what the fuss is. There's no where to put your belongings, you're near kids, and the extra leg room? Hardly at all.

Ouch! I apologise if I've somehow offended you Lipstick by being merely a worthless Tom, Dick or Harry - albeit one who puts a fairly significant amount of his company's travel through VS by choice. I may not disagree with all of your comments, I regret to say I do however certainly find the tone offensive and unfortunate, and one I thought we managed to avoid on here. Ho-hum...

I just had to add my 2p to this.

My father suffers from Parkinsons disease, and shakes very badly, for him it is totally about not causing distress to other passengers. He could quite easily knock over their drinks etc.and needs to be seated appropriately. I don't hold with all this PC rubbish, so be honest, would you really want him sat next to you or kicking your seat from behind?

I think there is a big difference between what people want and what they need. As an airline this must be really difficult to ascertain.

The exit rows I believe are a separate issue and situation. I don't really see why these can't be bought in EC on a first come first served basis on the condition that you present yourself at check-in showing you are physically able to meet the airline's requirements.

I have asked for exit rows in PE at twilight check-in quite recently and was told they were all gone. Only to be moved on the day of the flight and given them anyway! On a very full flight, I suppose that someone could have been upgraded and the seats became free but doubt it. My guess is that they were held back, not needed, and given to me because of this.

Rant over!

Jilly

Well I guess I got most of the input I needed (and some I didn't ), so as far as I'm concerned thanks for the info and I'll give it a whirl on March 12th..... I didn't want to stir up a debate about the who SHOULD get which seats (I think this will generate more heat than light), simply what was the current pool of knowledge on this topic.

Thanks.

It amazes me that unlike other airlines Virgin does not give priority to GC holders for the bulkhead and exit row seats.

In practice it really appears that if you just turn up early they give them to the first person that asks.

Drives me mad.

[Nottingham Nick]

My view is that exit rows should be available in advance for FC members to buy. It would be quite easy for VS to make a note in your FC profile as to whether you are physically able to operate the doors.

FC members with this note in their profile could then express an interest to purchase exit row seats, at the time of - or anytime after - booking.

They could then be allocated just before OLCI starts, with Golds getting preference, and everyone would be happy.

I realise that we have gone a bit OT, as the OP was talking about bulkheads, not exit rows. IMHO bulkheads should be left for those who need them i.e. families and persons with mobility issues.

Nick

I do understand what you are saying Russell and hope that in no way I offended you, your original post was obviously just to ascertain the situation and nothing else.

I would certainly arrive early and request, and even if you are not given what you want at check-in, from my experience not all is lost until you are actually seated.

I'm sure you'll have a great time in SYD whatever the outcome.

Jilly

I would have to say the reason some seats, including bulkhead and exit seats, are held back for check-in, are so if we have, for example, 10 seats left for sale, and two family groups, including an infant of 2 months, (5 people in each group) need to travel urgently, we would like to be able to accommodate them, as well as our other families travelling together, and also to look after our Au members.

IF Virgin were to allow 'purchase' of bulkhead seats prior to the day for an Au Member, and then one of the above groups appear to do last minute travel (for compassionate reasons, or whatever reason would require a family to book at the last minute) Virgin would not want to necessarily upset said Au member by saying.... ' please Mr Gold Card Holder, would you mind claiming your £XXX.XX back from that queue at the ticket desk, as we have had to move your seat to allow that family with 2 children and a baby travel together' when the Au member in question, may very well be enjoying a massage in the Clubhouse already. (or whatever)

This also makes it difficult if there is a special needs passenger, who did not advise prior to check-in, that they might require a bulkhead (or they need their carer with them, and they had pre-sold the on where the carer will sit)

anyway, enough scenarios. I'm sure you all get the picture. To allow for minimum fuss and inconvenience, they cannot pre-book any of those seats, and are first come-first serve (or possible last minute move, if a more needy passenger checks in later)

I am now standing back to let the dust settle.

Juliet:)

I think Au's should get preference over all able bodied travellers and should certainly not have to pay for these seats.

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by preiffer
{frantically looking for a "duck-for-cover" smiley [:0]}


While the point may not be entirely diplomatic, or easy to swallow, I do have to agree with Paul on this [:?]. If EVERY "group" of people (families, taller people, injured people, disabled people, wider people, etc) who rightly or wrongly claimed ownership of a bulkhead seat each got one, the plane would have to be made up of nothing BUT bulkheads!

I know that's not a "politically correct" thing to say, but it does have to stop somewhere - and there simply aren't enough exit/bulkhead seats to cope with the number of people who feel they deserve one.


However - back on topic, while I can understand the need to see people for exit seat regulations, are we sure you can't reserve a bulkhead seat online, 24 hours before?

Paul you make a good point,an easier way off doing it would be to offer say 34" of seat pitch in Y [:0][y][^]

Also even though I am only a red card holder,I do think that the exit rows should be open to goldcard holders when doing an OLCI,just an added bonus.

[Nottingham Nick]

Sorry, Juliet. I don't follow your logic.

I made it clear in my original post that bulkheads should be saved for families. I am only talking about exit row seats.

I cannot see many (if any) situations where a gold card member would suddenly be dropped down the pecking order to give up his / her seat once they had paid for it - other then being op-upped.

The two children and a baby togther doesn't apply, as you have to be 16 to sit in an exit row. Special needs passengers wouldn't be able to sit there either.

Giving priority to FC members who meet the qualifying criteria would reward regular travellers, and make sure VS gets the extra cash. I can't see a downside to it.

Nick

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
Sorry, Juliet. I don't follow your logic.

I made it clear in my original post that bulkheads should be saved for families. I am only talking about exit row seats.

I cannot see many (if any) situations where a gold card member would suddenly be dropped down the pecking order to give up his / her seat once they had paid for it - other then being op-upped.

The two children and a baby togther doesn't apply, as you have to be 16 to sit in an exit row. Special needs passengers wouldn't be able to sit there either.

Giving priority to FC members who meet the qualifying criteria would reward regular travellers, and make sure VS gets the extra cash. I can't see a downside to it.

Nick

Sorry Nick,

I was referring to the general overall view on this topic..... Your query (which I just re-read) is a valid point. Currently it is not a facility offered, as Virgin like to be able to see that each person is capable of opening the door in an emergency.

However, you raise a valid point.

I don't see things changing in the near future, but things DO change, especially with comments and suggestions from Au members, so keep up the great suggestions!

Juliet