Virgin checkin (flying from Manchester)online / night before/ special assistance ???

[MrsJobba1]

Hi guys

This is our first time flying with virgin. We have prem economy seats booked and have seat numbers assigned on the manage your booking.

We are on a 1.30pm flight from Manchester.

I have degerated discs in my back and my doc always rights me a note to explain that extra leg is preferred as I cannot stay in the same position for a long time. It also explains the large number of tablets that I carry.

I have good days and bad. On a good day I have no problems accessing stairs etc but on a bad day I have servere pain . When I booked I explained this and they said they would have a wheel chair ready icase it was one of my bad days.

I am wondering what is best regarding checkin. I think checkin opens 24hrs beforehand is that right -but I'm not sure what to do.

If I waited and checked in at the airport in the morning will my seats be reassigned? I am currently in the bubble.

Is it best to checkin online?

What do you think- can someone talk me through it all?

Thanks

PS forgot to add - I heard that if we check in at the airport and are dressed smartly theres more chance of getting an upgrade?

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

With the possibility of having a bad day, would you not be better going for the lower cabin PE anyway?

If not, then checkin online to secure your seats.

I am afraid, uless you have a Flying Club Gold Card, or have paid a full price PE ticket, the chances of getting an upgrade are as rare as Gordon Browns chances of winning the next election.

The way in which upgrades work is
GOld Card and full fare tickets first
Silver card and some discounted tickets
thats about it really.

 

[wicket2005]

I would just check in online if you can, sometimes we cannot and just check in at the airport. Airport check in opens from 6 am and they do have kiosk machines you can use as well.

I have never travelled PE but I would imagine being up in the bubble would be quieter than downstairs. They may be stairs to negotiate in any case because sometimes the plane is docked out in the airport grounds and not off a gate.

You could always keep an eye out and see if PE seats become available downstairs to save extra stair climbing. I know so many seats become available 24 hours before the flight but have no idea if these are PE ones or not.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I would just check in online if you can, sometimes we cannot and just check in at the airport. Airport check in opens from 6 am and they do have kiosk machines you can use as well.

I have never travelled PE but I would imagine being up in the bubble would be quieter than downstairs. They may be stairs to negotiate in any case because sometimes the plane is docked out in the airport grounds and not off a gate.

You could always keep an eye out and see if PE seats become available downstairs to save extra stair climbing. I know so many seats become available 24 hours before the flight but have no idea if these are PE ones or not.

If the passenger is in a wheelchair, they use the catering lifts to get them on board at remote stands, or use at some airports a special disabled lift.

The problem is mobility.
If there is an emergency an an evacuation of the aircraft is required, someone with motability problems could cause bottleneck on the top deck steps, hence the requirement on the webpage for people with mobility problems to sit downstairs (and the reason for having those seats downstairs)

Certainly, if they are not allocated to disabled passengers, the other row os PE downstairs becomes available at 24+

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks for that bit of info, didn't know all that.

 

[buzz for boys]

Definatly will be told you need to sit in PE downstairs when we went PE we had assigned seats in the bubble and when we arrived at the airport we were told we had to sit downstairs - the extra legroom thing doesnt really apply in PE as they are already spaced at more than economy and definatly downstairs there is not much in it if you are in front row or behind !!
Not sure on the free upgrade got to be worth a try

 

[gilld]

I think I'm right in saying VA will only upgrade if they are full in Economy/PE anyway. They won't fill UC seats just because they're empty - which is only fair to those who have paid to sit in the UC cabin.