UKDEB
Moderator Emeritus
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2000
- Messages
- 11,840
I didn't know either of these services existed. Has anyone tried either?
<font color=red><b>DIY Check In</b>
Q What is DIY Check In?
A DIY Check In is Virgin Atlantics online check in service. It allows Virgin Atlantic customers to check in for their flights through the companys website at virgin-atlantic.com.
Q When is online check in available?
A Online check in is open from 24 hours to two hours prior to scheduled flight departure times.
Q Who can use online check in?
A This service is available to all Virgin Atlantic customers except:
Unaccompanied minors
Young persons travelling on their own
Any customers required by Virgin Atlantic to see a member of staff before checking in
Some customers booked as part of a group or corporate group
Customers checking in firearms
Customers who are already checked in
Q What flights are available for online check in?
A Online check in is available for the majority of Virgin Atlantic operated flights. The only routes not currently allowing check in are all flights to/from Port Harcourt, Lagos and Hong Kong, flights from the Caribbean to London, and flights from Delhi to London. Excluded flight numbers include VS030, VS032, VS034, VS036, VS038, VS056?, VS200, VS201, VS651, VS652, and VS300.
Q How does it work?
A Select DIY Check In from the Bookings menu. You will be asked to enter your booking reference or e-ticket number, first name, surname and flight details. You will have the opportunity to identify any of your travel companions you wish to check in with. Please ensure you have the entire groups passports or passport details to hand, as you will need these to complete check in. Your check in confirmation page will contain instructions on what to do once you arrive at the airport, links to view and amend your seats (for most users), any special instructions for each passenger and links to more useful information.
Q What do you do once you arrive at the airport?
A On arrival at the airport, please go to the DIY Check In Bag Drop desk to collect your boarding documents and check your bags in. This must be completed at least 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your flight.
Please ensure all passengers bring their passports, tickets or e-ticket receipts, and other relevant documentation.
The Bag Drop desk is located at the Virgin Atlantic check in area and our airport staff will be happy to point you in the right direction should you have difficulty locating it.
Please be advised that your allocated seats may occasionally have to be changed at the airport for operational reasons.
Q What is a booking reference?
A This is also known as Record Locator (or recloc), PNR Code, confirmation number or reference number. It can usually be found on your tickets, confirmation or travel documentation.
Virgin Atlantics booking reference is a six digit alphanumeric combination. Tickets issued by Virgin Atlantic will contain this code in the PNR Code box near the centre of the ticket. E-tickets issued by Virgin Atlantic list this as Booking Reference.
We also accept booking reference number issued by most travel agents. These appear as a six digit alphanumeric combination usually listed in your travel documentation, or available from your travel agent upon request.
If you have purchased directly from Virgin Holidays, the reference is a five or six digit number, followed by a / and a three digit alphanumeric combination, e.g. 12345/S05 or 654321/W05. This can be found at the top of your holiday invoice.
Q What is an e-ticket number?
A This will appear as a 10 or 13 digit number. In most cases it will begin with 932 and be followed by 10 more numbers. Your e-ticket confirmation email from Virgin Atlantic lists this number in the Ticket Number field.
Q Can you select your seats?
A In most cases, passengers checking in online will be given the option to view and amend their seats on a seat map from the check in confirmation page. If you have pre-assigned seats, we will make every effort to check you into those seats. If you do not have pre-assigned seats, we will try to ensure your group is checked into seats next to each other where possible.
If there are not enough available seats for you to switch, or if Virgin Atlantic staff have seated you in a special area to accommodate any special service requests, you will not have the option to view the seat map.
Q What is considered a family?
A CAA regulations mandate that carriers make every effort possible to seat families together. As in most instances we will not know whether or not you are checking a family in together, we treat any check in group as a family in trying to seat you together.
In the cases of children and or infants travelling, if we are unable to seat at least one adult member of the check in group with the child or infant, we will not be able to check you in online and instead you will be directed to check in at the airport as usual.
To ensure we comply with this CAA regulation, and for other operational reasons, we occasionally have to change your assigned seats at the airport. For this reason, seat numbers can never be guaranteed although we make every effort to honour your request.</font>
<font color=blue><b>Pre-assigned Seating</b>
Q Can I pre-allocate my seat?
A Seating is a service we offer free of charge. Seats can be pre-requested through our website or through our Reservations department 336 days in advance of your departure date. Please note that seat numbers are never guaranteed and are subject to operational changes.
Q How do I select my own seats from a seat map?
A If a seat map button is displayed on the booking confirmation page or within the Manage Your Flights section. Clicking this button will launch the seat map for that flight in a popup window. Your current seat assignment (if applicable) is displayed in the 'Seat' column next to each passenger name, and shown as a purple seat on the seat map itself. You can change your seat by clicking on one of the available seats (red) shown on the map and clicking 'submit', or by typing an available seat number into the 'Seat' column next to the passenger name and clicking 'submit'. If you choose to type an available seat number into the 'Seat' column, clicking the 'Update map' link will update the seating map with your new seat selection - however you still must click 'submit' to confirm your new seat selection.
Q Why is the seat map button not appearing?
A Seats are available for assignment from 336 days to 1 day prior to scheduled flight departure. The seat map button will not be displayed if the date does not fall within this range.
Seat maps are only available to customers who have purchased their tickets directly from Virgin Atlantic Airways or Virgin Holidays. Seat maps for bookings made with travel agencies or other third parties will be available soon
Approximately 60 per cent of seats are available for advance assignment, the remainder being held for check in. If the 60 per cent of assignable seats are taken, the seat map button will not be displayed.
We can only allow advance seat assignments for flights operated by Virgin Atlantic Airways. If you are travelling on a flight operated by one of our codeshare partners, the seat map button will not be displayed.
CAA regulations mandate that carriers make every effort possible to seat families together. If you are travelling with a child, and there are not enough available seats that are grouped together, the seat map button will not be displayed.
In all of these instances, your seats will be assigned when you check in for your flight.
Q Can I choose seats which are not together?
A CAA regulations mandate that carriers make every effort possible to seat families together. If you are travelling with a child, we can only allow you to choose seats which are grouped together.
Q Can I leave an empty seat between passengers in my group?
A We make every effort possible to honour your advance seat assignment. When single seats are left between passengers in the same group, it becomes difficult to fill that seat at check in, often resulting in the entire group having to be re-seated. To minimise any delays to departure that re-seating may cause, and to allow those passengers that wish to sit together to do so, we have to insist that the entire group be seated together.
Q Can I select an exit row seat?
A Exit row seats are held for assignment at airport check in only, as passengers wishing to sit in these seats must be physically capable of carrying out the associated responsibilities. We must be able to see a passengers physical condition before assigning them an exit row seat. On most routes, these seats can be purchased for a nominal fee on arrival at the airport.
Q Can I request an extra legroom seat?
A These seats are not pre-assignable prior to the date of departure. Priority is given to those passengers travelling with infants under 12 months or for those with special needs.
Q What is the Beauty Area?
A On selected flights, our inflight beauty therapists provide a selection of treatments for Upper Class passengers. Please see our onboard beauty therapy page for more details.
Q Can I take my laptop and use it on board the plane?
A If you are situated in the Upper Class cabin you can use your laptop onboard most Virgin Atlantic aircraft. However, we are currently working on technology to allow both Premium Economy and Economy passengers the ability to use their laptops whilst in flight.</font>
<font color=red><b>DIY Check In</b>
Q What is DIY Check In?
A DIY Check In is Virgin Atlantics online check in service. It allows Virgin Atlantic customers to check in for their flights through the companys website at virgin-atlantic.com.
Q When is online check in available?
A Online check in is open from 24 hours to two hours prior to scheduled flight departure times.
Q Who can use online check in?
A This service is available to all Virgin Atlantic customers except:
Unaccompanied minors
Young persons travelling on their own
Any customers required by Virgin Atlantic to see a member of staff before checking in
Some customers booked as part of a group or corporate group
Customers checking in firearms
Customers who are already checked in
Q What flights are available for online check in?
A Online check in is available for the majority of Virgin Atlantic operated flights. The only routes not currently allowing check in are all flights to/from Port Harcourt, Lagos and Hong Kong, flights from the Caribbean to London, and flights from Delhi to London. Excluded flight numbers include VS030, VS032, VS034, VS036, VS038, VS056?, VS200, VS201, VS651, VS652, and VS300.
Q How does it work?
A Select DIY Check In from the Bookings menu. You will be asked to enter your booking reference or e-ticket number, first name, surname and flight details. You will have the opportunity to identify any of your travel companions you wish to check in with. Please ensure you have the entire groups passports or passport details to hand, as you will need these to complete check in. Your check in confirmation page will contain instructions on what to do once you arrive at the airport, links to view and amend your seats (for most users), any special instructions for each passenger and links to more useful information.
Q What do you do once you arrive at the airport?
A On arrival at the airport, please go to the DIY Check In Bag Drop desk to collect your boarding documents and check your bags in. This must be completed at least 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your flight.
Please ensure all passengers bring their passports, tickets or e-ticket receipts, and other relevant documentation.
The Bag Drop desk is located at the Virgin Atlantic check in area and our airport staff will be happy to point you in the right direction should you have difficulty locating it.
Please be advised that your allocated seats may occasionally have to be changed at the airport for operational reasons.
Q What is a booking reference?
A This is also known as Record Locator (or recloc), PNR Code, confirmation number or reference number. It can usually be found on your tickets, confirmation or travel documentation.
Virgin Atlantics booking reference is a six digit alphanumeric combination. Tickets issued by Virgin Atlantic will contain this code in the PNR Code box near the centre of the ticket. E-tickets issued by Virgin Atlantic list this as Booking Reference.
We also accept booking reference number issued by most travel agents. These appear as a six digit alphanumeric combination usually listed in your travel documentation, or available from your travel agent upon request.
If you have purchased directly from Virgin Holidays, the reference is a five or six digit number, followed by a / and a three digit alphanumeric combination, e.g. 12345/S05 or 654321/W05. This can be found at the top of your holiday invoice.
Q What is an e-ticket number?
A This will appear as a 10 or 13 digit number. In most cases it will begin with 932 and be followed by 10 more numbers. Your e-ticket confirmation email from Virgin Atlantic lists this number in the Ticket Number field.
Q Can you select your seats?
A In most cases, passengers checking in online will be given the option to view and amend their seats on a seat map from the check in confirmation page. If you have pre-assigned seats, we will make every effort to check you into those seats. If you do not have pre-assigned seats, we will try to ensure your group is checked into seats next to each other where possible.
If there are not enough available seats for you to switch, or if Virgin Atlantic staff have seated you in a special area to accommodate any special service requests, you will not have the option to view the seat map.
Q What is considered a family?
A CAA regulations mandate that carriers make every effort possible to seat families together. As in most instances we will not know whether or not you are checking a family in together, we treat any check in group as a family in trying to seat you together.
In the cases of children and or infants travelling, if we are unable to seat at least one adult member of the check in group with the child or infant, we will not be able to check you in online and instead you will be directed to check in at the airport as usual.
To ensure we comply with this CAA regulation, and for other operational reasons, we occasionally have to change your assigned seats at the airport. For this reason, seat numbers can never be guaranteed although we make every effort to honour your request.</font>
<font color=blue><b>Pre-assigned Seating</b>
Q Can I pre-allocate my seat?
A Seating is a service we offer free of charge. Seats can be pre-requested through our website or through our Reservations department 336 days in advance of your departure date. Please note that seat numbers are never guaranteed and are subject to operational changes.
Q How do I select my own seats from a seat map?
A If a seat map button is displayed on the booking confirmation page or within the Manage Your Flights section. Clicking this button will launch the seat map for that flight in a popup window. Your current seat assignment (if applicable) is displayed in the 'Seat' column next to each passenger name, and shown as a purple seat on the seat map itself. You can change your seat by clicking on one of the available seats (red) shown on the map and clicking 'submit', or by typing an available seat number into the 'Seat' column next to the passenger name and clicking 'submit'. If you choose to type an available seat number into the 'Seat' column, clicking the 'Update map' link will update the seating map with your new seat selection - however you still must click 'submit' to confirm your new seat selection.
Q Why is the seat map button not appearing?
A Seats are available for assignment from 336 days to 1 day prior to scheduled flight departure. The seat map button will not be displayed if the date does not fall within this range.
Seat maps are only available to customers who have purchased their tickets directly from Virgin Atlantic Airways or Virgin Holidays. Seat maps for bookings made with travel agencies or other third parties will be available soon
Approximately 60 per cent of seats are available for advance assignment, the remainder being held for check in. If the 60 per cent of assignable seats are taken, the seat map button will not be displayed.
We can only allow advance seat assignments for flights operated by Virgin Atlantic Airways. If you are travelling on a flight operated by one of our codeshare partners, the seat map button will not be displayed.
CAA regulations mandate that carriers make every effort possible to seat families together. If you are travelling with a child, and there are not enough available seats that are grouped together, the seat map button will not be displayed.
In all of these instances, your seats will be assigned when you check in for your flight.
Q Can I choose seats which are not together?
A CAA regulations mandate that carriers make every effort possible to seat families together. If you are travelling with a child, we can only allow you to choose seats which are grouped together.
Q Can I leave an empty seat between passengers in my group?
A We make every effort possible to honour your advance seat assignment. When single seats are left between passengers in the same group, it becomes difficult to fill that seat at check in, often resulting in the entire group having to be re-seated. To minimise any delays to departure that re-seating may cause, and to allow those passengers that wish to sit together to do so, we have to insist that the entire group be seated together.
Q Can I select an exit row seat?
A Exit row seats are held for assignment at airport check in only, as passengers wishing to sit in these seats must be physically capable of carrying out the associated responsibilities. We must be able to see a passengers physical condition before assigning them an exit row seat. On most routes, these seats can be purchased for a nominal fee on arrival at the airport.
Q Can I request an extra legroom seat?
A These seats are not pre-assignable prior to the date of departure. Priority is given to those passengers travelling with infants under 12 months or for those with special needs.
Q What is the Beauty Area?
A On selected flights, our inflight beauty therapists provide a selection of treatments for Upper Class passengers. Please see our onboard beauty therapy page for more details.
Q Can I take my laptop and use it on board the plane?
A If you are situated in the Upper Class cabin you can use your laptop onboard most Virgin Atlantic aircraft. However, we are currently working on technology to allow both Premium Economy and Economy passengers the ability to use their laptops whilst in flight.</font>
