Virgin rant!

[Celestine]

OK, so at 90 days booked 2 x economy seats in bubble. Online check in today & we've been moved t the last pair of seats at the back I understand operational requirements etc. but seriously unimpressed. Going from one of first off to one of the last. Rang & spoke to a chocolate teapot who blamed airport staff & now tells me flight is very full so no chance of moving. No point in writing to complain as I'll get the standard "they are only a request". Booked bubble on way back & very few seats available so lets see if they move us then too. Hopefully that will be the only thing that doesn't go to plan!

Celestine

 

[Lucys dad]

I really like flying with Virgin, the flight itself and the crew are always great IMO.

However, if the slightest thing goes wrong at the booking stage or prior to your flight, or god forbid you may have to make a change - they are an absolute nightmare to deal with.

Terrible waiting times on the phone and dreadful customer service. They have recently offshored a call centre to South Africa.

Its amazing how a company can get it so right in one area of their business yet so wrong in another.

 

[flortlebap]

I would try getting to check in early and making a request at the desk - it's a real shame they moved you!

Our flight home just got moved forward an hour, which is a shame, as the last day of the holiday is short enough as it is and we are only there 8 days!

 

[wilma-bride]

Dare I mention the fact that seat requests are just that...requests. Even if you can't change seats, it's not the end of the world. We actually like those pairs of seats at the back. Yes, it means you are potentially last off the plane but we found the immigration line moved quite quickly last month. There are worse things that could happen

 

[tinks_1989]

Dare I mention the fact that seat requests are just that...requests. Even if you can't change seats, it's not the end of the world. We actually like those pairs of seats at the back. Yes, it means you are potentially last off the plane but we found the immigration line moved quite quickly last month. There are worse things that could happen

I agree I quiet like the last two seats. You have that slight gap extra room between seat and window. You don't have to worry about any one being behind you or if they are a bit heavy handed with the touch screen.

Yes you may be last off but you got there

 

[DisFanJen]

I know it's a pain but those last two seats at the back are great!

You can put your seat back without worrying you're effecting other people, a lot less people walking past, if your a party of two (like my partner and I) there's no chance you'll be seated with a random stranger.

We go out of our way to request those seats.

 

[2Tiggies]

However, if the slightest thing goes wrong at the booking stage or prior to your flight, or god forbid you may have to make a change - they are an absolute nightmare to deal with.

Terrible waiting times on the phone and dreadful customer service. They have recently offshored a call centre to South Africa.

I don't care much for VA but in their defence, my experience with BA this last week has been far worse than anything I ever dealt with on the occasions I flew with VA. Even had one of the call centre agents tell me "You have to be a little bit patient because we are getting lots of complaints lately so we are very busy ...."

We had seats right at the front last year and at check in we were put in the two seats right at the back. There was nothing we could do because they had an equipment change and the replacement was much smaller. It was ok because we landed early and seemed to be the first flight to hit the immigration hall so we were through in under 10 minutes despite where we were seated.

Still, I get that it is annoying. I was not amused at the time

Have a safe flight OP and enjoy your trip. Once you get to your hotel, where you sat on the flight is all forgotten for a while

 

[penlanspice]

I'm in the "we love those last seats" group, we always try and get those. Usually they have seats open up when day before check in starts and also for the day, seats are always held back for the day. But honestly I would stick with those and not worry.

 

[gavvy]

I think if the flight has lots of spare seats they close the bubble to economy passengers and move everyone downstairs- makes it easier for the crew I suppose.

Normally 40% of seats are held for check in so get there early and see if you can get moved, however as others have said those 2 seats at the back are quite sought after.

 

[orangetiggs]

We fly tomorrow as ours moved too from bubble to row 56 I was not happy now in 31/32

 

[jen_uk]

We also love the seats at the back! Those are the ones we reserve, its so handy being able to put a bag down the side rather than in the locker. Plus, it means you don't have to climb over someone to get up

 

[crabbie1]

Liked the seats at the back but last to get food choice but loved the extra room. As others have said you still get there and whilst annoying especially if you booked at 90 days you can still request a change of seat at check in. Good luck

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Another thumbs up for the back,we requested these last year

Don't forget YOUR GOING TO DISNEY

 

[scoobee]

Flew Virgin to Las Vegas last month and we were moved from the seats I'd requested at the back of the bubble to two rows in front to accommodate a family with a special needs member. We did keep our last row seats on the way back though, which was appreciated.

 

[marcgiu]

Myself, DW and 2 DS are flying next Feb - I pre requested the bubble last week (which we have confirmed) - do you think they would move a family of 4? or is it normally couples/2 people/single flyers that get moved?

 

[ch1975]

we were at the back last year so our youngest could move about abit, theres more room between the seats/aisles, he was only 18 months at the time, we were the last in the queue for immigration and it took exactly 2 hours. when can you book seats, we go back to bc in september but cant get on to book the seats yet, people are saying you can book at 330 days?

 

[flortlebap]

we were at the back last year so our youngest could move about abit, theres more room between the seats/aisles, he was only 18 months at the time, we were the last in the queue for immigration and it took exactly 2 hours. when can you book seats, we go back to bc in september but cant get on to book the seats yet, people are saying you can book at 330 days?

90 days at either 8 or 11am

 

[pickers1982]

Not sure what the fuss is about the bubble. It does have novelty value though and a quick exit!All this talk of immigration is a little scary as 2 hours with a tired 2 year old could seem like an eternity!!!

As for virgin, love the planes etc but the offshore post booking service is appalling. They even added a random £1k onto our bill a month after booking and have lied to us repeatedly.

Don't agree with moving people unless the plane is really quiet or single travellers plonk themselves in an awkward place

 

[orangetiggs]

On wed took us three hours to get from plane to car with two tired three year olds was a nightmare

On plus we lived seat plus six seats between four of us

 

[2Tiggies]

On wed took us three hours to get from plane to car with two tired three year olds was a nightmare

On plus we lived seat plus six seats between four of us

Wow, three hours with little ones is a long time! Was that mainly immigration lines that kept you or waiting for luggage? I only ask because we sailed through immigration in about 15 minutes last year, then waited nearly an hour for our luggage to appear on the carousel

Hope you're having a good time