Pre-booking seats & DIY checkin??

[traceycooper]

I know if you pre-book your seats they are not guaranteed, but when you do the DIY check-in 24hrs before are they definate then or still not guaranteed????
Thanks!!

 

[Claire L]

No seat is ever guarenteed, right up til boarding you could be changed for a particular reason, I believe this is very rare, but it can happen. Pre booking would be about the same 'risk' as on line checkin IMHO.

Claire

 

[Laurafoster]

That is true! it is one of my bug bears with airlines. We hyad actually checked in and when we went to boarding we were told that we had to move seats as someone had a medical reason for needing ours - at this point i thought ok im a little annoyed but ok - it wasnt till i got on the plane and saw that the 2 people occupying our seats ( it was the row of 2 near the back with the extra space at the side) was a mother with a brat of kid that was jumping up and down and kicking other peoples seats whilst she ignored him - medical reason?

I think that is pretty rare though! there are certain seats that are harder to guarantee - like the rows of 2 at the back and any exit row seats as everyone wants them! Once you have checked in, either twighlight checkin, online check in or normal your allocated seat is unlikely to change!

 

[Goofyish]

The only other instance where seat allocations would be changed after check-in is where for technical or operational reason a plane has to be changed to one with a different seat layout.

Again, this is rare with Virgin (not so rare with other airlines like TCD though!).

 

[traceycooper]

I'm a little worried as i tried to pre-book our seats online & there are none left outbound!! Just a few odd ones. My DD will have a fit if we cant sit together, i read that they try to keep families together, but that would be awful if we couldnt, has this happened to anyone???
We will just have to check in early to make sure we get the remaining seats they hold back for check in!!

 

[Miffy2003]

Tracey - don't worry. They only release a certain amount for pre booking. There will be plenty on the day!

I believe the chances of you being separated from your DD would be extremely slim. How old is she? there is some requirement I think for not separating children under a cartain age from their parents?

 

[traceycooper]

She will be 12, but i know she would be upset if we were not together, she is quite a nervous flyer too.. takes after mum!!!