Virgin chargin to select seat?

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

i cannot believe that Virgin are now charging a family of four £200 to select seats on top of their already astronomical prices! It does say at the top of the page that free child seats will be allocated at check in, but how will they ensure we are together. We have a six and three year old so obviously we need to sit together, I actually think I would have gone indirect with Aer Lingus if I had known this, they are becoming just as greedy as all the charter airlines!

Anyone got any experience of this? £50/£60 I would have paid like other airlines but £200!!!!

 

[Elise79]

They started charging late last year. It's the same price as BA charge so they are all pretty much the same!

If you have kids under 12 they will ensure they are sat with one parent but they won't guarantee you are all together as a family.

If you booked before November you can book free at 60 days otherwise flying club red members can book 3 days out and everybody can at OLCI.

 

[Kath2003]

You don't have to pay. Your children will be sat with at least one of you. If you want to ensure all four of you get seated together then yes, it's £200 or see what you're allocated at check in. Sadly now a cost we include when comparing flights and yet another reason not to fly with a British carrier.

 

[Rach78]

There is actually no guarantee that you will be sat with your kids. It is not a law but a recommendation. As people may now choose to pay for seats if you don't you are left with what is available at OLCI. I have read plenty of stories of late where family's with young kids are scattered round the plane and then you are at the mercy of hoping someone will swap. And people will be less likely to do so if they have paid for their seats. Also keep in mind that airlines class sitting together behind or in front as well. I fly with Virgin for the first time later this year. Previously gone with US Airways who you could choose your seat for free with at time of booking. I probably won't fly with Virgin again for this reason as you are over a barrel really. I have chosen to pay for seats, on the outbound at the moment, which I grudge, but don't want to chance being split up. Will probably end up doing so on the way back too for piece of mind. There is still no guarantee, even if you pay, but you are less likely to be split. It rubbish tbh but if you decide not to pay, you have to accept that you may not be together. That's the chance you take.

 

[kirsti o]

Omg I didn't know this.
That's so bad!
I get on a short flight because it doesn't really matter as much but on a 9 hour flight you can't be sat apart from your family?
I booked the Virgin flights because they worked out cheaper than thomas cook - but not that much cheaper. Is have been better booking thomas Cook all along!
There's 9 of us so that's a whopping £450 which is our precious spending money. So so disappointed

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Fly a U.S. carrier - no charge to book seats together.

 

[maclondon]

In fairness, it must be a super pain on orlando flights as pretty much every passenger is part of a family unit. 3's 4's 5's 6's and more- they will try to put you together.

 

[wayneg]

Just another reason we have not used them for so many years. No way would I pay it even if I were flying with them, I would have to hope we were together.

 

[Queen-Bee]

Isn't the charge only if you fly economy?

 

[maclondon]

i just looked at my outbound flight - there is one set of two seats together in the whole of economy - otherwise its all single seats dotted all over. Thats for a flight in 11 days.
Theres no way a family can get together on that flight.
Do they preselect seats for families?

 

[scoobydooby]

Isn't the charge only if you fly economy?

Yes. But that is what most people fly! I booked our PE seats the first possible day 5 minutes after it was possible to and still couldn't get the ones I wanted exactly, had to go with my second choice. I didn't have to pay as you point out, but I think this policy is extortion frankly. I love flying Virgin, but this policy is a disgrace.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Just thought id mention on the off chance but if your economy class ticket is Y or B its free, and free seat assingnment opens at 72hrs before departure if your Flying Club Red members or 14 days prior if you Silver members.

 

[Elise79]

Yes. But that is what most people fly! I booked our PE seats the first possible day 5 minutes after it was possible to and still couldn't get the ones I wanted exactly, had to go with my second choice. I didn't have to pay as you point out, but I think this policy is extortion frankly. I love flying Virgin, but this policy is a disgrace.

Not as bad as BA who charge in all classes and actually charge more the higher the class!!

So when BA & VS have the same price flight in PE then you actually have to pay more to choose seats on BA making them more expensive.

 

[Kath2003]

BA also charge more to sit at the side of the plane than in the middle of it!

 

[KJA2016]

Can anyone confirm how much Virgin are charging?

Thanks

 

[Kath2003]

Virgin is £25 per seat per leg (£50 per round trip)

BA is £35 for the "edge" seats (by the windows) and £30 for the seats in the "middle" of the cabin.

 

[KJA2016]

Thanks Kath

 

[MsHook]

Lufthansa is the same. Only it's £20 per seat. Which is great for the 7 of us who are going indirect so that means 4 flights. We could almost take another person with the amount it would cost to pick our seats. We have no choice but to wait until check in and take our chances

 

[Kath2003]

There's no way I'd pay to select seats on a short flight. 6 hours plus - I resent it, but I'll do it. But not for 2-3 hours.

 

[mackay_j]

Just a heads up I booked through orbitz and used my booking ref to log onto virgin where I was able to book my seats for free. Not sure if it was a one off error or the normal when booked that way. They tickets also where £275 less each over virgin or any UK booking agency