Another frustration with Virgin Holidays!

[Tash87]

It is a minor frustration but still rather annoying.

It's coming up to the date that I can pre book our seats on the plane, I contacted VH to see if my airline booking reference would be added to my documents automatically? Or if I would have to contact them to get the ref. Their reply was, that if it isn't added automatically on the date ( early morning or late evening ) to contact them on the following days and they will give it to me. They cannot give it to me the day before.

Which is fine BUT I wanted to log onto the system asap to hopefully have more of a chance in getting the seats I want

Anyone had the opposite experience and received the ref before the 11 month mark?

 

[Elise79]

They can't issue the reference before the 11month mark as the flights are on the system until that point. The flights need to be on the VA system to be ticketed and have a reference.

There isn't a rush to book seats there is charge to book in Economy so i wouldn't panic too much. We book flight only and never at the 11 month mark and never had an issue getting acceptable seats.

 

[Tash87]

Hopefully they will update my invoice automatically.

I would like to book the back two seats and I know they are snapped up quickly so I'm eager to get on asap.

 

[Kath2003]

There's much less of a rush now they charge £25 per seat per flight. We did book for our last VA flight (long haul but not to Orlando) and even about 4 weeks out, we could have had the two back seats together. This was at peak time, too.

We had those seats on another flight and would never book them again (& certainly wouldn't pay for them). Last off the plane and lots of people queuing for the toilets by your seat

 

[Tash87]

That sounds positive about them still being available at 4 weeks out

I would like the back seats as there are 2 adults and 2 children, so each adult can sit with a child ( who are desperate to sit by the window ). I have had to sit next to a stranger before who was a giant, so I had VERY limited space. This experience haunts me so I vowed never to willingly be seated like that again.

The downside for us is that they have the worst meal options available by the time they get to us.
Do you remember if the seats reclined?

 

[Kath2003]

The seats reclined.
There was no choice of meal by the time they reached us - we got whatever the rest of the plane didn't want. It wasn't good.
Being stood over by other passengers waiting for the toilets was worse than sitting next to someone on the outbound.
Wouldn't it be better to take a row of 4 seats in the middle of the plane? Or a row of 3 by the window and aisle seat opposite?

 

[Tash87]

We have sat in a row of 4 before but as my husband has travel sickness, he needs to be sat as close to the window as possible. Also a row of 3 plus isle seat is when I sat next to the extremely tall gentleman. However this might be our only option if the back 2 are taken.

I also understand that there is a small gap between the seats and the plane 'wall' with the back seats which would come in handy with my 2 little ones.

Thank you for the advice.

 

[Kath2003]

They do have more space. You can't lean against the wall of the plane because of that, which bothers some people (not us).

I feel horribly travel sick during turbulence and for that reason try to avoid the back of the plane. Around the wings is best if turbulence is a factor in your husband's travel sickness.

 

[Jon84]

I've heard and seen before of people near the back of PE or Eco getting a meal from the class above if there is nothing they like. Depends if your CC are friendly

Let me know how you get on Tasha as I'll be trying to select my PE seats on Xmas Eve!

 

[Elise79]

I've heard and seen before of people near the back of PE or Eco getting a meal from the class above if there is nothing they like. Depends if your CC are friendly

Don't bank on it - I have been offered a E meal in PE but never an upper meal. When the bubble was all PE we always tried to get row 79A/C which was the back and the meals quite often had run out of one choice. TBH PE food yesterday was nice and despite being at the back downstairs still had a choice of all 3 however the beef did run out. I had the chicken as it was very good - much better than the meals of late.

 

[mackay_j]

We loved the 2 seat row near the back - got them again for new year. The lack of choice of meals is not a big issue for us. I have to order 1 gluten free and 1 diabetic meal any way. Remember that if you book virgin through delta its is usually a lot cheaper, you still get the air miles and the seat booking is included and can be booked as soon as your flights are confirmed - booed our about 6 months ago

 

[Tash87]

Well here I am...11 months out and guess what??? Still no airline booking ref

I contacted them this morning and they still don't have the reference number. The lady was very helpful and said that she will keep an eye on my account and email it to me when it appears. I will eat my hat if I actually receive an email from her.

Does anyone else have these problems?

Nothing is ever plain sailing for me!

 

[Jon84]

Well here I am...11 months out and guess what??? Still no airline booking ref

I contacted them this morning and they still don't have the reference number. The lady was very helpful and said that she will keep an eye on my account and email it to me when it appears. I will eat my hat if I actually receive an email from her.

Does anyone else have these problems?

Nothing is ever plain sailing for me!

Have you tried calling the airline and see if they can find you by your postcode etc?

 

[Tash87]

I didn't realise I could ring them

They said to contact them in the morning and they would have it on their system by then. So fingers crossed, otherwise this will be me .

 

[Tash87]

VH were able to give me my ref this morning .

I have now pre booked our seats.

It looked like we was the only ones who had done so. That's another thing checked off the list.

 

[Jon84]

Glad you got it sorted! Seems like its 10 Months and 30 days you can actually book lol

 

[dixonsontour]

Glad you got sorted