Virgin Twilight Check In - Exit Seat Policy

[jwhiting]

I have just got off the phone to Virgin Atlantic regarding twilight check in and the possibility of getting exit seats for the flights to Orlando.

The procedure has changed somewhat since I last did this, and not to my benefit.

Non-Virgin staff now run the twilight check in service and therefore there are no exit seat allocations done at this time.

Your name is taken that you have requested exit seats and is given to Virgin, you are then assigned standard seats on the aeroplane.

It is then first come first served at the Virgin ticket desk (not check in) the day of departure to get these seats, and if you're lucky enough to get them, they cost you £50 each.

Therefore the only benefit of twilight check in now is to save yourself the lengthy check in on the day of departure, and the chance to be able to purchase exit seats.

I just thought those interested would like to know my findings, I wonder if PE is available after all?

Julian

 

[snookhams]

OH POOH BAH - for the first time last year DH managed to get an exit seat at 6'5" he finds it a little difficult for a long while in standard seats. We always fly with virgin but this is terrible £50 each way if you want an exit seat - thats disgusting on top of the fare m- I think that I agree with you PE might be the way to go. Its not as if we want the seat just for the sake of getting an exit seat, and last year we just got one exit seat for DH and then sat in the row behind, well if this is the way they are now allocated we couldn't even be sure of being near him, and I am not spending all that time dealing with the 2 children on my own. I shall be complaining to Virgin about this, I would not be using twilight again if this stays this way - I can't see the point.

 

[jwhiting]

I feel the same way. I am 6ft 3" and my wife is 6ft 2" and it's always worked out well for us using twilight check-in to get the exit seats. We even managed to get them last year from Heathrow when we went to LA.

Having spoken to Virgin Travelstore last night the change in procedure regarding twilight check-in and exit seats should have been explained when we booked.

It's left a little sour taste in the mouth but having thought about it long and hard, we opted for PE to Orlando last night and booked through the Travelstore.

Another £300+ on the credit card but peace of mind at least.

Am VERY excited about the holiday now, as you can imagine....!!!

Regards

Julian

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Julian, what was the cost of your PE upgrade? Was that £300 each, and was that for one-way of the return journey? I'm considering an upgrade for my parents' flights next year, neither of whom enjoy flying and would appreciate a little extra comfort.

Regards

Rob

 

[jwhiting]

Hi Rob,

£165 each one way up until the end of June and then it goes up to £195.

I think the prices are fairly similar next year as well.

I spoke to an agent at Virgin Travelstore last night who did PE when it was much more expensive (albeit with a nice discount I would imagine) and she said it was well worth it.

I was very tempted to do it both ways but was talked out of it by my Wife at the last minute.

Luxury on the outward journey will be nice though!!!

Bring it on!!!

Regards

Julian

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Thanks for the prices. Very useful.

My vote would be for luxury on the way home. It's an overnight flight, so the extra space might make sleeping a bit easier. The luxury might also ease the depression of flying home!

I'm so excited on the way to Orlando that I could travel in the hold and still enjoy the flight. The return journey is much worse for me, so anything which eases the discomfort of the flight and the pain of leaving Orlando is worth the extra expense. We've just returned from California, flying out Economy and home in Club. For us this was the right way to do the upgrade.

Regards

Rob

 

[Mpet]

Hi

I e-mailed Virgin re the charge for exit seats and enquired about the PE cost.

They didn't tell me the cost to upgrade, but they did say that the charge was for exit rows only. Do the bulkhead seats(or any other) have 'extra' leg room.?

I know that the bulkhead seats are usually for those with babies who need cots, but probably on the last 6 flights, I have only once seen a passenger with a baby/cot in these seats.

Final question - is it a standard charge to upgrade to PE or is it just the difference between economy/PE

Thanks


Maxine

 

[MKDEBS]

Hi,

Just read this post and having just got back thought id put in my two pennies worth.

We used Twilight checkin two weeks ago and I said to the girl behind the desk 'Is that right you have to pay for exit seats now' She said no not on the Gatwick- Orlando flight because they weren't selling them they were being filled up with kids. So two very happy people.

At the airport coming back yesterday asked if i could have exit seatd, no problem. Still didnt get any sleep though even with the extra legroom. but at least you can get up and down without disturbing anybody.

debs

 

[Mpet]

The policy seems a bit hit and miss. I wonder what routes the charge does apply to?

The e-mail I got was pretty clear saying they do charge - I quoted my booking reference which is a Gatwick departure. I guess we will just have to wait and see when we get there!!


Maxine