Virgin Twilight Check In & Economy Seats at the Front

[Portugal1000]

Sure this has been asked a thousand times but was thinking of doing the twilight check in as only 10 minutes from Gatwick. Wondering if there is a better time of day to do this, i.e when it first opens or later on. How long are queues usually? Unfortunatley having to fly economy for first time in ages as just too expensive in August for PE. The queues on the day for economy always seem horrendous so thought this may be a better option.

Also, anyone been lucky enough to get those seats at the front just behind PE. I booked flight back in October and they were not available to book then even though hardly any seats taken. Do they release them the day before or something?

Thanks

 

[Claire L]

Yes all seats should be available for twilight bar those already allocated by on-line check in, which I don't believe includes thos you mentioned just behind PE. As you live so close it would be worth getting there for soon after 12 if you can. We did twilight in Feb as all prebookable PE seats havegone when I booked the flights in Dec, as it was we got emergency exit in the bubble which was what we were happy with and that was at about 2pm.

Claire

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

If there are any of the small cabin economy seats not taken by disabled families, then they do become available at online checkin time, so normally have gone by the time that twilight checkin opens

 

[Claire L]

Just thought if you are the 11.15am flight try online check in and if no good head to Gatwick, but if the later flight may as well head to Gatwick for 12pm.

Claire

 

[Portugal1000]

Thanks

We are on 1pm flight. Have never done online check in as don't have a printer at home and assume you have to print something off.

Think I will just get to airport for midday then and see how we go. Not the end of the world where we sit. Just that our friend is downstairs in PE so would be good to get off same time as her and go through immigration at same time. Both staying at SSR so don't want her to have to wait to long for us to catch up!

 

[Claire L]

If 1pm then go to the airport, be aware though that your friend may get her baggage quicker as PE but at least you can all wait together at the baggage carousel.

Claire

 

[jtlover]

If there are any of the small cabin economy seats not taken by disabled families, then they do become available at online checkin time, so normally have gone by the time that twilight checkin opens

If you have seats booked can you change them at the online checkin time then?

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

If you have seats booked can you change them at the online checkin time then?

Yes, as the seats until you actually checkin are only requests (plus of course after checking in they can change them right up to the time you enter the plane!)

 

[laluna]

We have been allocated in the front cabin twice using twilight.

 

[kevin harrison]

If there are any of the small cabin economy seats not taken by disabled families, then they do become available at online checkin time, so normally have gone by the time that twilight checkin opens

I have requested help for my son, who is autistic and doesn't eat, so we need a lot of equipment.

What seats will we be allocated? We requested bulkhead seats - but Virgin say that they cannot guarantee anything until the day.

What are the small cabin economy seats you mention?

We will be at Gatwick the day before - with our requests will we be able to have our seats assigned at check in?

Thanks

 

[Young Pooh]

I have requested help for my son, who is autistic and doesn't eat, so we need a lot of equipment.

What seats will we be allocated? We requested bulkhead seats - but Virgin say that they cannot guarantee anything until the day.

What are the small cabin economy seats you mention?

We will be at Gatwick the day before - with our requests will we be able to have our seats assigned at check in?

Thanks

The small economy cabin is 2 rows of economy seats behind PE downstairs. These are not released until OLCI opens. Usually VA allocate these to families with special needs that have requested them. As Obi says, if any are left then they are released for OLCI and open to anyone. It is a nice location to get as it is a much quieter environment. We have requested these as DD has secial needs and can often get stressed in certain environments. You also get off the plane before the rest of economy as they let you go after PE.

 

[scarletlancer]

If there are any of the small cabin economy seats not taken by disabled families, then they do become available at online checkin time, so normally have gone by the time that twilight checkin opens

Since we are flying at 13.00 on Sunday and OLCI opens 24 hours before the flight and the Twilight checkin is between noon and 9pm the day before does that mean that effectively the first twighlight checkin will be before OLCI opens and therefore the best way of getting desired seats?

 

[kevin harrison]

The small economy cabin is 2 rows of economy seats behind PE downstairs. These are not released until OLCI opens. Usually VA allocate these to families with special needs that have requested them. As Obi says, if any are left then they are released for OLCI and open to anyone. It is a nice location to get as it is a much quieter environment. We have requested these as DD has secial needs and can often get stressed in certain environments. You also get off the plane before the rest of economy as they let you go after PE.

Didn't realsie about this, special requirements have our details, you think I should ring and ask about these seats.

 

[Young Pooh]

Didn't realsie about this, special requirements have our details, you think I should ring and ask about these seats.

If you have already spoken to Special Assistance, I would still give them a quick ring to double check that they still have your details (!!) and mention that you would like the front economy cabin. They will probably say that they cannot guarantee this for you (depends on number of requests they get for it) but at least you have it noted.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Since we are flying at 13.00 on Sunday and OLCI opens 24 hours before the flight and the Twilight checkin is between noon and 9pm the day before does that mean that effectively the first twighlight checkin will be before OLCI opens and therefore the best way of getting desired seats?

Yes.
You have an hour before the online checkin can book their seats

 

[kevin harrison]

If you have already spoken to Special Assistance, I would still give them a quick ring to double check that they still have your details (!!) and mention that you would like the front economy cabin. They will probably say that they cannot guarantee this for you (depends on number of requests they get for it) but at least you have it noted.

Special assistance still have our details, just won't guarantee anything. Apparently it all goes on the degree of disability and need, so I would hope that Daniel gets preference over someone who just wants a bigger seat because they are tall.

I wouldn't imagine there would be that many disabled passengers needing support in the middle of September during school time.

Is there anywhere on line I can see where these seats are?

 

[laluna]

http://www.v-flyer.com/seatmaps.asp

Try here.