Seating on Plane - Preferences?

[marvel]

We are flying Virgin for the first time in April, and wondering who prefers what seats. Should we try and get the rows just after Premium Economy?

We generally want to stay at least 4 rows from the toilets, because otherwise it can get very pongy.

Its a 3 x 3 x 3 configuration, so we would go for 3 against the window and then one across the aisle. Now I hear that Virgin also have the self service snacks area, but no where on Seat Guru does this show up. So wondering if recent flyers can help.

We are flying out of melbourne on the VA23.

I know some are fans of the back section, but I find that it seems to run out of food back there or at least options for food, and then you have to be the last one off.

 

[aussie shaz]

We have done the same re: 3 from the window and one across the aisle. I also chose as far from the toilets as possible. The lights are also annoying when it's dark and they keep turning on and off as people enter and leave.

When I requested our seats, there weren't many options. There were none in the front half of economy. Maybe if you are a FF with Virgin you might get a better choice.

Also, I read that on the cheap tickets (that we have) you had to pay $20 per person per flight for normal seat selection. Once I had booked and given my credit card details to pay, they called me back and advised there would be no charge. No idea why, but I'm happy

 

[Marlea98]

We flew VAustralia December '11 and were in the first couple of rows in economy ahead of the toilets. Then after the toilets was the big expanse of rows then the snack bar. Our section was lovely and quiet, we didn't realise how quiet it was until I needed to go to the toilet and had to go down the back. It was noisy! We didn't have any problems back then booking those seats but we booked in the first week or so of the flight's release.

 

[Minniemum]

Hi Marvel! The snack bar is small and stuck on the aisle side of the galley between rows 38 and 39. Last year we chose to sit towards the front of the plane due to a tight connection onto MCO. We split up and took the 2 seats on either side of row 25 where the configuration is 2-3-2. We never had a problem with the toilets. Hence, we've booked these seats again this year.

 

[Jade+3]

Don't sit near the snack bar. I was in the bulkhead seat behind the snack bar when DS was in a bassinet. During the night people would grab something to eat then stand there and eat it, sometimes having a chat. Annoying when you are trying to sleep and people are noisily munching on chips then scrunching up the packets.

 

[marvel]

So the snack bar is definetly around seat 38, thats good to know. Pretty sure will have to pay the $20 per seat, but I like to know before hand where we will be.

 

[aussie shaz]

Just checked. We're in row 36 on the way over and 34 on the way back.

Good to know we'll be close enough to the snacks, but not too close

 

[alicia1506]

our last flight, we were in row 36 and i can definitely confirm the snack bar is located on both sides of the galley behind row 37/38. the toilets are also in this area (disabled toilets were on the left side of the plane) so we were far enough away to not be bothered by the galley/loos but close enough that we didn't have to walk past 300 people to get food/use the restroom.

our upcoming flights, we have chosen the row 51/52 hk seats right at the back of the plane. we don't mind being last off as we don't have connecting flights and don't need to rush, and for us, we like being close to the galley/loos. we haven't noticed any particular smells/problems/noise issues -- but then again, we don't try to sleep on the plane either, just bury our heads in various books, movies etc and just ride it out

last trip, the whole plane was full of several competing sports teams, so no matter where your seat was located, there was a group of loud, rambunctious early 20's sitting all through the plane, eating all the snacks, drinking all the water, congregating and talking loudly etc. the only quiet bits on our last flight were the first class/premium seats and the back of the plane... i guess it's up to personal preference

 

[gogo65]

We always try to sit in the back half of the plane, in the last ten rows or so, then book our seat, as aisle/window leaving the centre seat available, if there are four of us we book the centre seats and also leave the seat in the middle
We then keep an eye on the flight if it looks like it is filing up we sometimes move or otherwise if we end up with someone in the middle seat we ask of they will move seats, probably 70% of the time we have had success and had a spare seat, in the times we haven't, the person in the middle has always been happy to move.

 

[DizOz]

On international flights there are a few rules I follow:

Always try to sit as close to the front of the place as I can for one reason getting off and hopefully getting close to the front of the line at immigration.

Always seat a few rows back from a bulk head just in case young child has trouble settling.

Always make sure your not too close to the toilets due to noise and sometime the smell.

 

[ky71]

We like to fly at the rear where the seat configuration tapers down from three to two seats (or four to three). No one runs the drinks trolley into your elbows! No annoying people standing crowding your space and no toilets there either. So we aren't first off, we wait for bags anyway!
Best way to get away from the annoying smells is to travel up in business

 

[Melbourne5]

A slightly different perspective and only applicable if you are an airline frequent flyer. The following method has worked for 5 of 8 sectors to the USA and ultimately our upgrade from economy to either prem econ or business for all 5 of us . The method is simple... Always choose bulkhead seats on any aircraft type ( a380,777,747$ with the baby seats. Almost without fail the airlines will always shuffle people around to accommodate families with small babies to get these seats. I have had 5 very pleasant checkin surprises over the last 4yrs! As mentioned my airline ff status helps get pushes up the front too for free.all trips have been on those ultra cheap $1000-1200 rt fares too.... Good luck !

 

[marvel]

Thats a good tip, still havent confirmed my seats yet. Although those seats have less leg room and I would be scared of ending up in them!

 

[Feej]

Seat Guru is your best friend. http://www.seatguru.com/

I use it whenever I'm flying with someone new or on a route I haven't flown before.

 

[ame]

A slightly different perspective and only applicable if you are an airline frequent flyer. The following method has worked for 5 of 8 sectors to the USA and ultimately our upgrade from economy to either prem econ or business for all 5 of us . The method is simple... Always choose bulkhead seats on any aircraft type ( a380,777,747$ with the baby seats. Almost without fail the airlines will always shuffle people around to accommodate families with small babies to get these seats. I have had 5 very pleasant checkin surprises over the last 4yrs! As mentioned my airline ff status helps get pushes up the front too for free.all trips have been on those ultra cheap $1000-1200 rt fares too.... Good luck !

Ahh great tip. I always book two back. We have 3 golds in our family so will try this next time