Virgin seating ?

[Wills Mom]

We booked our flights through a TA as they got a better deal than I could find (even though I usually book direct with the airline but this year the price difference was too good to miss) I have been in touch with the TA about booking our seats and she said that they don't pre book seats and that we must do this when we check in. My issue is that we are a group of 9 adults and 2 infants and would like to be seated together. I know that reserving your seat 90 days out doesnt guarantee your seat but its always been great for peace of mind before. Does anyone have experience in waiting til check in for your seat allocation?

 

[jo_de_vil]

At present due to all the aircraft re fit yes things have changed, if you are Premium economy is at the mo 24 hrs in advance!!! As we are FVC members we booked a fly drive thru Virgin Holidays and I just asked them for my VA booking reference number so we can request meal etc, we are not travelling till Oct 13 but we have our meal requests in our internal flights all linked up and we will be able to select our seats at the 90 day point, as for not being able to guarantee your seats, we have been told to check in on line 24 hrs before and we should still get our requested seats. Your TA should be able to give you a VA booking ref, I don't think we got ours because they are sister companies. Even if you can't do anything with your booking a present it is nice to be able to log on and see it all there in black and white, it makes it all real. Good luck TTFN Jo

 

[Lizzi]

Just to let you know, whilst it sounds like your TA is fobbing you off, Virgin won't pre-allocate seats to groups when there is an infant in the booking, as they'll seat you in the bulkhead seats.

I suspect there is a good chance you may have to sit seperated (still in smaller groups, and no children will sit alone.) Whether they can give you the bulkhead for your entire group would depend on how many other infants are onboard.

 

[Wills Mom]

Just to let you know, whilst it sounds like your TA is fobbing you off, Virgin won't pre-allocate seats to groups when there is an infant in the booking, as they'll seat you in the bulkhead seats.

I suspect there is a good chance you may have to sit seperated (still in smaller groups, and no children will sit alone.) Whether they can give you the bulkhead for your entire group would depend on how many other infants are onboard.

Oh thank you for explaining that to me And I DO feel like she is fobbing me off but dont feel theres much I can do about it I hate not having control of my own booking - I reckon this will be the last time I use a third party!

 

[bee86]

Oh thank you for explaining that to me And I DO feel like she is fobbing me off but dont feel theres much I can do about it I hate not having control of my own booking - I reckon this will be the last time I use a third party!

Having the same kind of issue myself, booked through ebookers and its looking like I dont have the choice to upgrade to PE even if I wanted too, now im not certain on it unless it changes with 90 days to go but its looking like as I booked through a third party I dont have many options open to me. I feel your frustration.

 

[Wills Mom]

Having the same kind of issue myself, booked through ebookers and its looking like I dont have the choice to upgrade to PE even if I wanted too, now im not certain on it unless it changes with 90 days to go but its looking like as I booked through a third party I dont have many options open to me. I feel your frustration.

I dont like feeling powerless!! Boo! Keep an eye out, maybe you will be able to do it from 90 days out. I wanted to see how much an upgrade to PE would cost but through the TA I'm almost afraid to ask!!
On the upside only 110 days to go lol! I have it in my head that it will feel much closer when it gets in to double digits lol!

 

[Lizzi]

p.s. I totally feel your frustration! I desperately wanted to pick my seats (or at least see the layout of the plane) but because we're taking my infant daughter, they won't let me view it online. I even phoned them up to ask.


I also won't book flights through a 3rd party (unless it's £££'s cheaper!) after the fiasco with my honeymoon. Booked a cruise out of miami, and chose to use the cruiseline's air arrangements. All fine going out - coming back they'd booked my new husband and I in window seats behind one another... Not exactly the romantic trip I'd envisioned, and the staff at the airport and on the plane weren't bothered about helping solve the situation.

 

[bee86]

I dont like feeling powerless!! Boo! Keep an eye out, maybe you will be able to do it from 90 days out. I wanted to see how much an upgrade to PE would cost but through the TA I'm almost afraid to ask!!
On the upside only 110 days to go lol! I have it in my head that it will feel much closer when it gets in to double digits lol!

thats exactly what I wanted to do!!! Just wanted to price it and see if it could be an option as a surprise for mum but even after calling va im no further on grrrr anyway......what can ya do in fairness my flights were so much cheaper through ebookers.
Lizzi.....that is not romantic at all I would be down right

 

[Wills Mom]

p.s. I totally feel your frustration! I desperately wanted to pick my seats (or at least see the layout of the plane) but because we're taking my infant daughter, they won't let me view it online. I even phoned them up to ask.

I also won't book flights through a 3rd party (unless it's £££'s cheaper!) after the fiasco with my honeymoon. Booked a cruise out of miami, and chose to use the cruiseline's air arrangements. All fine going out - coming back they'd booked my new husband and I in window seats behind one another... Not exactly the romantic trip I'd envisioned, and the staff at the airport and on the plane weren't bothered about helping solve the situation.

OMG I'd be fuming!! I hope you got it resolved, thats a long flight home
As for the price, it was much cheaper - we saved about £100 per person which is a big saving IMO but seriously it isn't ideal to have to go through someone else everytime you want to check something!

 

[Wills Mom]

thats exactly what I wanted to do!!! Just wanted to price it and see if it could be an option as a surprise for mum but even after calling va im no further on grrrr anyway......what can ya do in fairness my flights were so much cheaper through ebookers.
Lizzi.....that is not romantic at all I would be down right

Exactly! I just want to know my options! I'm going to mail her again now while DS is quiet and hopefully she'll get back to me today with answers!

 

[Rachandgarry]

Hi


As a former travel agent myself it sounds like your one isn't being that helpful.... Have you booked flight only or a package holiday?

You need to ask them for 'the airline locator' which is what a booking reference is known as within ticketing offices. If they can't give it to you, ask them very specifically if your seat is part of an allocation (ie the agency or tour operator) buys seats in bulk, then sells them to individuals and families but all the airline see on each seat is the name of the company who bulk buy them. That company then releases the actual passenger names to the airline a few weeks before departure.

It is completely possible to have the agency or tour operator release your names to the airline so you can access your own booking.

If you need any help getting this done, I'd be happy to help if I can.

Rachel x

 

[Wills Mom]

Hi

As a former travel agent myself it sounds like your one isn't being that helpful.... Have you booked flight only or a package holiday?

You need to ask them for 'the airline locator' which is what a booking reference is known as within ticketing offices. If they can't give it to you, ask them very specifically if your seat is part of an allocation (ie the agency or tour operator) buys seats in bulk, then sells them to individuals and families but all the airline see on each seat is the name of the company who bulk buy them. That company then releases the actual passenger names to the airline a few weeks before departure.

It is completely possible to have the agency or tour operator release your names to the airline so you can access your own booking.

If you need any help getting this done, I'd be happy to help if I can.

Rachel x

Thanks for that We booked flight only with them, still no reply from her and I mailed last Friday morning. I asked for our booking ref so I can access the booking myself but I have a feeling I won't get anywhere with her!!

 

[nabby]

OP, you could try online chat or a phone call with Virgin Atlantic and they'll give you the six letter/number reservation code. They'll need the last name on the booking(s), the dates of travel and the flight numbers.

I recently booked through a TA and had to get my flight reservation code direct from Virgin myself. Via online chat it took about 2 mins.

 

[crabbie1]

As the above said. Thats what I did. They will find your booking easy. Just explain the hassel ur having with the TA . U could say u have a very nervous flyer( like myself) and that u would like to ensure they have a good seat. Xx

 

[Wills Mom]

OP, you could try online chat or a phone call with Virgin Atlantic and they'll give you the six letter/number reservation code. They'll need the last name on the booking(s), the dates of travel and the flight numbers.

I recently booked through a TA and had to get my flight reservation code direct from Virgin myself. Via online chat it took about 2 mins.

Excellent tip! Thanks I'll try that tonight