Seating on Virgin flights?

xxpeplyxx · Aug 29, 2015

So I was just wondering on which order do you get off the plane? only I have been told not to bother booking our seats for me my mum and my fiancé for the flights as we have Booked seat plus for our son who will be 22 months when we fly, as they said because we have booked seat plus we will all get sat together in a row of 4

I am a very nervous flyer and need my mum and fiancé there with me, also we want to be as close to the stairs as possible so we can get off the plane asap so we haven't got to do so much waiting around to go trough security! Now I know people with wheelchairs & pushchairs board the plane before everyone else but does the same apply for getting off the plane to?

BudgieMama · Aug 29, 2015

Passengers in wheelchairs are normally last off, or at least so my mother in law tells me. She doesn't fly with her prosthetic on, so she's always boarded and unloaded with special assistance. I can't comment on infants, but I don't think I've ever seen them unloaded first.

Elise79 · Aug 29, 2015

If you have seat plus you can't also choose your seats they are assigned for you before check in.

As for unloading it will be the front of the plane first (UC & PE) followed by upstairs then finally downstairs E.

Passengers requiring assistance are last off and are told to wait in their seats.

scoobydooby · Aug 29, 2015

Upper Class and PE are off first as a general rule. If you are in economy seats in the bubble and are prepared to be 'on it' on landing you are also in the first (ish) off because logistically you are nearer the exit that the Bubble PE passengers who they are waiting to let off before the downstairs economy passengers. We were in PE in the bubble on the way out last trip and were first out of the bubble but we had to be uber fast to achieve this before the economy bubble people started getting up. We only just got to the top of the bubble stairs first by a second resultant from familiarity with this particular flight..... We were first off on the return leg last trip. We sat in the back row of four in PE downstairs on the flight which is directly next to the exit door. This was my plan and worked great. I'm not sure that been a nervous flyer is relevant to unloading issues given at that point the aircraft is on the ground.......

Tash87 · Aug 30, 2015

People with children/pushchairs just have to wait until it's your rows turn to exit. You don't get priority to unload.

As you won't be assigned a seat until check in you obviously won't know where you will be seated on the plane.

Also I would be aware that they might seat only one of you with your son with seat+. I wouldn't trust what Virgin say about seating all of you together!

xxpeplyxx · Aug 31, 2015

scoobydooby said:
Upper Class and PE are off first as a general rule. If you are in economy seats in the bubble and are prepared to be 'on it' on landing you are also in the first (ish) off because logistically you are nearer the exit that the Bubble PE passengers who they are waiting to let off before the downstairs economy passengers. We were in PE in the bubble on the way out last trip and were first out of the bubble but we had to be uber fast to achieve this before the economy bubble people started getting up. We only just got to the top of the bubble stairs first by a second resultant from familiarity with this particular flight..... We were first off on the return leg last trip. We sat in the back row of four in PE downstairs on the flight which is directly next to the exit door. This was my plan and worked great. I'm not sure that been a nervous flyer is relevant to unloading issues given at that point the aircraft is on the ground.......[/QUOTE

What I meant was that Virgin told us we would all be sat together even if we didn't select our seats which is fine, but as I am a nervous flyer I was questioning weather we will actually be sat together, I know being a nervous flyer had nothing to do with us getting on or off the plane, im simply concerned that although they said we will all be sat together due to our baby having seat plus that we actually won't be and I wouldn't be able to fly without my mum and partner there to keep me calm

Tash87 · Aug 31, 2015

Like I said on my pp, I wouldn't trust what Virgin say. Cause you have paid for seat + for your son that doesn't necessarily mean you will all be sat together.

If that was the case everyone with children would book seat + for one and the rest of the party wouldn't have to pay to pre-book, possibly saving a lot of money.

Does that make sense? It's hard to explain.

When do you travel?

Jon84 · Sep 1, 2015

Tash87 said:
Like I said on my pp, I wouldn't trust what Virgin say. Cause you have paid for seat + for your son that doesn't necessarily mean you will all be sat together.

If that was the case everyone with children would book seat + for one and the rest of the party wouldn't have to pay to pre-book, possibly saving a lot of money.

I've been told that the party can be split too.

Also note that the order they let you get off is not always enforced.

Last time, we had the PE seats right next to the door (Row 18 A&C) so we were off first and had the car within 35 mins, but the cabin crew were not making any attempt to stop the Economy passengers getting off. It can just be a free for all.

thecartoonman · Sep 2, 2015

scoobydooby said:
Upper Class and PE are off first as a general rule. If you are in economy seats in the bubble and are prepared to be 'on it' on landing you are also in the first (ish) off because logistically you are nearer the exit that the Bubble PE passengers who they are waiting to let off before the downstairs economy passengers. We were in PE in the bubble on the way out last trip and were first out of the bubble but we had to be uber fast to achieve this before the economy bubble people started getting up. We only just got to the top of the bubble stairs first by a second resultant from familiarity with this particular flight..... We were first off on the return leg last trip. We sat in the back row of four in PE downstairs on the flight which is directly next to the exit door. This was my plan and worked great. I'm not sure that been a nervous flyer is relevant to unloading issues given at that point the aircraft is on the ground.......

Hi, can you tell me whether you preferred the Virgin PE in the bubble, or in the main cabin?

It seems an odd mix PE & Y upstairs and I am told there is no curtain/divider between the 2 classes, while the loo's are at the front of the cabin, which must mean quite a lot of traffic all through the flight?

Any advice would be appreciated, since I am assuming the bubble is great, but not if it is full of children running around. Have to say, I have done the kids bit with my 3 and now look at Disney and the superb DCL Cruise ships as a great ADULT escape ;-)

Many thanks.

scoobydooby · Sep 2, 2015

The bubble is quieter. There is a bit of a gap between E and PE. I like PE on the way out as it is quieter but on the return leg I prefer downstairs as I need to wander around a bit and that's not really acceptable to others in the bubble at night when they want to slept. Downstairs there is space where you're not disturbing other people.

Jon84 · Sep 3, 2015

There are only curtains between Y and PE upstairs

thecartoonman · Sep 3, 2015

Jon84 - Thank you.

I was given the impression that there were no dividers with curtains in the bubble between PE and Y, which would seem strange, but then it does seem to be an odd mix in the bubble and I think VA have struggled to get this right over the years in this cabin.

If you have travelled in PE upstairs, was there a continual movement through PE from Y to use the loo's at the front of the cabin?

Shazzie B · Sep 3, 2015

We pre-paid and chose to sit in the bubble, DH liked the thought of being off the plane amongst the 1st and also no kids under 12. However they moved us to main cabin to 'balance' the aircraft as so few on board (about 160). We were sat in row 58, family behind us had also booked bubble.

Initially not very happy about being so far back of plane, but it was quick to get off as so empty, and we were able to spread out. Middle rows of 4 where we were sat were nearly all empty, able to lay down along 4 seats to sleep for a couple of hours. Pilot said our 10am flight was 2 mins ahead of 11:15 flight, so we got off as quick as possible, amongst the last though. Immigration was fine, quickest we've been through, about 30 mins in airport as bags were just coming off too.

As others have said, you can't pre-book seats & have seat plus also. Also pre-booking seats doesn't guarantee you'll get them, even if you've paid, we should get our money back though.

Tash87 · Sep 3, 2015

I didn't realise that there was no under 12's allowed upstairs!

When I looked at a seat plan luckily we decided not to go in the bubble as the rows were 3 and 3 ( not suitable for us from past experience of me being sat next to a giant stranger lol ) It's a good job I didn't have my heart set on the bubble as I have 2 under 12's

We have decided to pre book the very back two rows of 2 ( one in front of the other ) so the kids can each have a window seat and we can recline our seats so we won't annoy anyone. Just dreading being literally the last off the plane and only having fish left on the menu :crazy2:

I know that you are still not 'guaranteed ' the seats when pre booking. Shazzie make sure you get your money back! I don't trust them 100%.

Jon84 · Sep 3, 2015

Tash87 said:
We have decided to pre book the very back two rows of 2 ( one in front of the other ) so the kids can each have a window seat and we can recline our seats so we won't annoy anyone. Just dreading being literally the last off the plane and only having fish left on the menu

I'd read the review of those seats, just hover your mouse over the seat for the info...

http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Virgin_Atlantic_Airways/Virgin_Atlantic_Airways_B747-400_LGW-1.php

They are set away from the wall so you can't lean against it, but you get extra space. And the very back might not recline all the way

Tash87 · Sep 3, 2015

Jon84 said:
I'd read the review of those seats, just hover your mouse over the seat for the info...

http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Virgin_Atlantic_Airways/Virgin_Atlantic_Airways_B747-400_LGW-1.php

They are set away from the wall so you can't lean against it, but you get extra space. And the very back might not recline all the way

Thanks for the link. I had a look, so much info on there!

The comments haven't put me off....yet lol. I saw a post somewhere that said the extra room to the side was handy for their child's bits and bobs which would work well for us. Also the kids would be sat closest to the window so they would just lie across me and their dad to sleep.

Jon84 · Sep 3, 2015

Tash87 said:
Thanks for the link. I had a look, so much info on there!

The comments haven't put me off....yet lol. I saw a post somewhere that said the extra room to the side was handy for their child's bits and bobs which would work well for us. Also the kids would be sat closest to the window so they would just lie across me and their dad to sleep.

That works well then! Upstairs there is a gap and they have a cubby hole with a lid to put stuff in. My wife's friend had the seats you'd like and they used it for exactly what you suggested

rosh · Sep 3, 2015

Tash87 said:
I didn't realise that there was no under 12's allowed upstairs!

When I looked at a seat plan luckily we decided not to go in the bubble as the rows were 3 and 3 ( not suitable for us from past experience of me being sat next to a giant stranger lol ) It's a good job I didn't have my heart set on the bubble as I have 2 under 12's

We have decided to pre book the very back two rows of 2 ( one in front of the other ) so the kids can each have a window seat and we can recline our seats so we won't annoy anyone. Just dreading being literally the last off the plane and only having fish left on the menu

I know that you are still not 'guaranteed ' the seats when pre booking. Shazzie make sure you get your money back! I don't trust them 100%.

We have booked bubble seats on our last two trips when my daughter was 7 and then 8. She is 10 now and we have again booked bubble for next month. Don't know where this 'rule' has surfaced from??

scoobydooby · Sep 4, 2015

I have flown PE on Virgin my last two trips and on three out of four of those legs in the bubble (two trips ago was moved there on the return from pre booked seats downstairs). All of my bubble experiences have involved children under 12 up there. So either they have created that rule in the last 30 days, it's a rule they don't enforce or it's just not a rule at all?????

Elise79 · Sep 5, 2015

There is and has never been a rule about no under 12s upstairs.

DD has flown up in the bubble since she was 9 months old in a skycot. We are booked in the bubble in December and she is 7. There was nothing in the t&cs that I read when booking the seats.

Seating on Virgin flights?

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