Those pesky Virgin seating questions again (sorry)

[THE COLONEL]

I understand that when making seating requests that they are just "requests" and in no way guaranteed and may be reassigned for "operational reasons".

If you take advantage of Virgin's online check in scheme you can also sort out your seating assignment. Are these then confirmed seating assignments or subject to change. I assume that if they are integral to the check in process then they would be confirmed.

If this is the case then are customers checking in online offered the whole range of available seating ie the full 60% pre released including those seats that have been allocated as seating "requests".Or is it the case that an online checkin will only be offered the opportunity to book seats that have not been preassigned as "requests"?

Could it be the case that you may lose your request if you take advantage of twilight check in and find your seat has been chosen by somebody using the online facility.

We have used twilight check in in the past and did intend to do so in November but is there now any major advantage with the advent of online check in (assuming access to the internet of course which I fully understand not everyone has)?

Would I not be better off using the online facility?

I also understand that this seating topic must be a real pain in the derriere for those blessed with a laid back attitude to such apparent trivia. However to those of us who make our living finding the "devil in the detail" little things like this that could go wrong on the eve of something that has taken huge planning and effort do matter.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Those checking in online have access to the unnasigned seats, not those assigned or requests.
The only persons able to re assign seats are the check in desk staff, the gate check in staff and the clubhouse staff (but they don't have the full access)

So, yes, check in on line, those seats are then assigned to you, not available to anyone else, with some exceptions as always...

 

[AliceGardner]

Personally, if you can check-in online, then I think it is a good idea to. You can still go and do twilight check-in (get your boarding passes and get rid of luggage the night before) if you want to after you have used online check-in.

Seats are never really gauranteed - have had some seat changes at the departure gate, have also heard of people getting on the plane to find someone in their seat (with a boarding pass for their seat too - i.e. the airline has managed to allocate the same seat twice - not too common, but it does happen).

So online check-in is VERY worth doing, but nothing is ever a gaurantee.

Alice

 

[crabbie1]

Obi/Alice-would you say do the same for flying PE?We have seats booked upstairs and not too bothered if they get changed as long as we remain upstairs.Manchester don't do twilight check in as far as I know but we are staying in a hotel the night before.How do you go about seat assignment on the way back if you don't have any booked.Can you access this online at the time of check in?Also the boarding cards.We only have B/W ink as only use for writing etc,will they accept these or is it best to get them at the airpot?Last querey,does PE have a different check in to economy?.This is the only reason I may not check in online as there won't be that many checking in PE if they do have seperate checking in system.When do they let people know on their website if there is a plane change?
Thanks guys.

 

[AliceGardner]

Hi Crabbie

I always use online check-in when I travel business class: sort of "belt and braces" attitude really. Although there is no such things as a "bad" business class seat as far as I am concerned, some are better than others - so I like the best chances of getting the seats I want. Not British Airways don't re-allocate seats (even for Business Class), so online check-in is a MUST with them

PE (like Upper Class) has it's own check-in (which will be a LOT shorter than economy) - so I never bother with twilight check-in. I think that twilight check-in is one class only (i.e. Upper Class and PE passengers queue up in the same queue as economy passengers). I prefer to keep our cases with us at the hotel the night before flying - so I can pack toiletries and other things in there the morning after we get up. This is particularly true now, since Lucy was born (coming up for 2 years old) and with the carry-on baggage restrictions (i.e. regarding restricted liquids in carry-ons and the smaller carry-on size requirements too).

Even if you have checked in online, you can still use the PE check-in during the morning - you don't have to use the fast bag drop. If I was you, I would look at the length of the PE and fast bag drop queues and decide when you get there.

I never use any "print your own boarding passes" - I always elect to pick them up at the airport: call me old fashioned, but I like a "proper" boarding pass...

We always travel with a laptop - so use that to access the internet (and use online check-in) from the hotel or whatever when we are coming home. Coming back you can use the check-in at Downtown Disney (which is a great facility).

They will normally update the website as soon as a plane change happens, BUT it rarely does (if seats are shuffled "aircraft change" is normally a shallow excuse... ).

In summary I, personally, always use online check-in, then collect my boarding pass when I get to the airport (it is fine for you to use the PE check-in even if you have used online check-in).

Alice

 

[crabbie1]

Thanks
Alice.I will certainly check in online before we leave for the hotel the day before our flight then collect boarding passes from the airport.Like you say go to either bag drop off or PE queue -which ever is shorter.Thanks for the advice.Hols are getting nearer and I had to send for new passports last week as dd splilt coke on them.They came back this morning -less than aweek.One less thing to worry about.

 

[AliceGardner]

I think that is a great way to do it

The passport office can be VERY quick can't they? I have been impressed with very fast service from them before too . Wont let my little Lucy ANYWHERE near our passports, just in case then

Enjoy the next couple of months "run up" to your holiday - I think it is a great time: lots of anticipation and things

Alice