How reliable are Virgin when it comes to guaranteeing "reserved seats"?

[Mike Jones]

..I've got seats reserved for June, but have heard that they may not be guaranteed... as we're flying from Manchester, we cant use twilight checkin, so we intend to turn up very early, but just wondered how often people lose their reserved seats?

Mike

 

[keswick1uk]

Don't know the answer but we were OK and so were two other parties of 4 we met on the plane on 8th March. They had used twilight c-in, but we didn't. Everything was on the virgin computers at check in; I didn't need to give them the seat numbers at all.

We flew from Gatwick but not-guaranteed was on our terms and conditions too.

Even got the kids meals right! Make sure, if you have ordered these or special meals that they have been allocated to your seat reservation as the special meals have seat number allocation written on the trays.

(BTW take back what I said about missing the family on your 40th break. Having been there, I'd love to do EPCOT without racing from country to country colouring in masks!!!)

 

[Mike Jones]

..thanks kes. No meals or anything booked, just two big hairy blokes who are keen to get the seats they booked for the perceived legroom! (we've got the bit where the window rows drop from 3 to 2 near the tail)

Mike

 

[Goofyish]

I would take the seat allocations as 'a prefered seat allocation' and not a guarantee.

We have flown with Virgin twice and alwayd got the seats we chose - although use twilight checkin on once and got to checkin 4 hours before take-off the second time.

The biggest risk to seat assignments is an aircraft change.

If you get to checkin early you should be OK.

 

[Mike Jones]

..cheers Tim! As I understand it, for the 1030 flight, Virgin check-in opens at 0600 (anyone know different?) and we aim to be first in the queue... with no kids, I don't fear being there for a few hours!

 

[Muppet]

Everytime we've reserved we have got them.

 

[WDWFOREVER]

We've flown Virgin about 6-7 times now and ALWAYS got our allocated seats. Mind you, we always turn up about 4 hours before the flight is due to leave as DH loves milling around the airport!

 

[signtalker]

Mike only other option seeing as the 2 of you are big and hairy , is to ask nicely for an upgrade, IF you cant get your seats, you never know you could be lucky!!!

 

[Claire L]

Never had a problem getting the seats I reserved, but then I do like to get to the airport early app 4 hours before departure !!
Claire

 

[kazzie]

Before this October we had always got the seats I reserved.The previous 3 times as we reserved through special needs dept as my son has Aspergers/autism.

When we arrived 3 and a half hours before check in this Feb and we were travelling PE so apparantly don't need to get there until 2 hours before check-in we were told you haven't pre-booked seats and that we were the last to check in and were to be seated seperately I had booked the seats at the 180 window and even callede VA the day before to check I still 'had' my seat allocation.

Bearing in mind this was our first holiday alone in 20 years and that we live an extremely stressful life with a teenager with behavioral/anger problems and that we had dropped my DS off at Grandparents house and he had hysterivally chased us down the road in the middle of the road as we drove off for such a long way leaving DH and me very upset.

Then to be told we were to sit seperately,I was about to burst into tears when the check in person said I'll see what I can do.As she went off my upset was very quickly turning into anger.Anyways she gave us exit seats so all was OK.

When we got on the 'plane I was looking at the family in 'my' seats and wondering why they had been re-allocated on this occasion but honoured always before,I don't know.

I'm sure all the people who use twilight check-in mean it is more unlikely for people like me who can't stay overnight at the airport to get what they had booked!

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Mike - we've not had any problems with our reserved seating, even in PE. For our last two flights (St Lucia and Orlando) we didn't even bother with Twilight check-in, even though we stayed over night.

However, I do remember seeing a number of posts on the boards where people have not got the seats they had reserved, but I think you have the right idea in turning up as soon as check-in opens.

I have been in the queue and heard someone moaning about the fact that their family couldn't sit together (they had not pre-booked seats) and after some swapping around, eventually they were all seated together (7 people, so a x3 and x4 configuration); I did wonder what had happened to the poor people who may have booked those seats

 

[Dimplenose]

We've been to WDW with Virgin twice so that's four flights. Got our requests on 3 of those flights. On the fourth we were sat together (4 of us) but not in the requested seats. We checked in 3 hours before and flew economy each time.

Libby

 

[Mike Jones]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone.

It sounds rather like a lot of you roll up 4 hours early, so I might need to camp there all night!

Jules - never thought about trying for an upgrade... should we wear suits do you think?

Cheers

Mike

 

[signtalker]

Nah dont think so mike!!!!, the hiking boots and shorts should do it!!!

seriously you stand a good chance, 2 of you, no children!!!
Worth asking, the worst they can do is slap you LOL!!!

 

[Mike Jones]

... right then might cover the tattoos and remove the earings until we've checked in then!

 

[keswick1uk]

The birthday might help but please hide the 'I'm 40. Are you ready to party' badge

 

[Kevin Stringer]

Sorry to be the one with a negative experience Mike, but we used Twilight Check In last May only to be told that we could not have our reserved seats.
The 4 of us did sit together, but not in the seats we had requested.

It didn't help that we had the grumpiest Virgin check in employee that I have ever come across. He all but ignored my question regarding why our seating request was not available.

Kev

 

[Mike Jones]

Kev... I must admit, it does puzzle me as to why any airline can't manage its bookings to ensure that, if aircraft are as anticipated (ie not changed at short notice for a different craft), everyone is given seat numbers when they book. Obviously, there must be some contingency for last minute passenger needs etc, but surely the first, say 75% of the craft can be filled with guaranteed bookings?

Mike

 

[sharon78]

So everyone,what are the best seats to pre-book?flying from LGW at 11.15am on flight vs027,flying economy ,family of 4 myself DH 2XDD 7&9

 

[uktigger]

hi
i'd also like to know the best seat to book
we are on the 11.15 flight from gatwick as well, me dh kids 12 and 8

thanks eve