Where would you sit?

[laluna]

Just wanted to gain the views of my trusted, experienced flyers. As a family of 4 with a 6 yr old and a 21 month old where would you sit on a virgin 747? I have narrowed it down to either two of the rows with 2 seats at the rear of the plane (I think rows 61 and 62 seats A & C are reserved at the moment) OR should I aim to get in the small front cabin directly behind PE? Any opinions would be great. I thought the extra room at the back would be good and easier to walk around the back of the plane with the little one but the front would be good for exiting promptly.

 

[irongirlof12]

I am trying the back 2x2 rows this time around. thought we would be able to swap adults & kids etc. after all it is a long flight. plus you get 2 window seats

you could also check out seatguru.com

 

[babystar]

I have sat in both of the areas and I would DEFINATLY recommend the front. It is much more quite (on the way back the cabin tends to go darker than the main cabin aswell so there is more chance that you will get some sleep) You normally get your food first and get it cleared away first so there is no hanging around. The toilets at the front are normally quieter so less queueing and less toilet flushing noises, you tend not to have people walking around that area to stretch there legs (more peace) and finally if you're unlucky and have a bumpy flight you will feel even the slightest movement towards the back (not good with small children)

 

[crabbie1]

I have sat in both of the areas and I would DEFINATLY recommend the front. It is much more quite (on the way back the cabin tends to go darker than the main cabin aswell so there is more chance that you will get some sleep) You normally get your food first and get it cleared away first so there is no hanging around. The toilets at the front are normally quieter so less queueing and less toilet flushing noises, you tend not to have people walking around that area to stretch there legs (more peace) and finally if you're unlucky and have a bumpy flight you will feel even the slightest movement towards the back (not good with small children)

I thought these were not released till 24 hrs before check in now?It was definatley this way when we wnt july.We sat in 61 and 62 H &K last november and they were great as you have more room at the side of you .I would def keep the ones you have booked.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I thought these were not released till 24 hrs before check in now?It was definatley this way when we wnt july.We sat in 61 and 62 H &K last november and they were great as you have more room at the side of you .I would def keep the ones you have booked.

The rear seats rows 61, 62 & 63 are released at 336 days, but they go quick.
The rows 21 to 28 are not released until 24 before the flight.

The further back you go on the aircraft the more bouncy it is. (there is a reason why First class is in the front)
Also, you will have people queuing up to use the rear toilets and stretching their legs, leaning on the seats etc.

With a 21 month old, why not try for bulkheads? It depends if its space you wnat, as you don't get any more leg room (rather less as no seat in front to put your legs.

I would suggest a row as far forward as possible, but at least before the wings.

Edit:
I am also aware that these two seats rows do have a tendancy to be changed by Checkin more ofthen than the standard row seats, taking singles out fatrther up the plane to let families sit together, so if you have these booked they can change.

 

[disneyholic family]

i always tried for the bulkhead when the kids were small....i find it easier not to have a chair in my face, especially if you've got little ones...

 

[gilld]

Personally I would go for the 4 bulkhead seats in the centre. That way you have a little more space in front of you for the toddler to walk between you.

 

[yummy mummy]

We are flying in Dec and flight now leaves at 1115 Does that mean rows 21-28 will be released at 1115 the day before or when? Our flight seems very full so these seats might be a really good idea. Also are emergency exit seats still only available at airport check in and how old do you have to be on |Virgin to sit in them

 

[crabbie1]

We are flying in Dec and flight now leaves at 1115 Does that mean rows 21-28 will be released at 1115 the day before or when? Our flight seems very full so these seats might be a really good idea. Also are emergency exit seats still only available at airport check in and how old do you have to be on |Virgin to sit in them

The exit seats are released at check in and I am sure it is 16 years old to sit by these.I am sur e someone will correst me if I am wrong.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Yummy Mummy,
yes the check in time is 24 hours from the scheduled time of departure, i.e. 11:15

What day are you flying?

 

[signtalker]

Just to add that Bulkhead seats are also for the disabled, priority is given to disability, and obviously if youre travelling with a child the age(ie, a smaller baby would need the sky cot), so would problay stand a higher priority than a 21 month old. Also people with disabilites can request these seats at booking, I personally would call to see what chance you will have, virgin will be well aware of what people are travelling with disabilites, and also babies, as i said the majority request these seats well in advance as they know how difficult it can be.

Good luck
Jules

 

[yummy mummy]

thanks crabbie and obi again.

Flying 8th DEc VS027 now leaving 1115 and returning 1st jan VS016. Both look very busy from Virgin web site so if these seats are released late then they could be a real bonus.

We aim to twilight check in and dowmtown Disney on return to try to get one emergency exit seat but it would be good to have the other 3 close which they wouldn't be at the moment.
Does the 24hr thing apply on return and can you reserve them on line or how?

Sorry if these are really thick questions and thanks again

 

[DisneyJo]

We had the 2 sets of 2 at the rear and they were great in the fact that we seemed to have more space but it was the only time my DD was sick, it's bumpier at the back, so I now always go for 4 in the middle on the wing

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

thanks crabbie and obi again.

Flying 8th DEc VS027 now leaving 1115 and returning 1st jan VS016. Both look very busy from Virgin web site so if these seats are released late then they could be a real bonus.

We aim to twilight check in and dowmtown Disney on return to try to get one emergency exit seat but it would be good to have the other 3 close which they wouldn't be at the moment.
Does the 24hr thing apply on return and can you reserve them on line or how?

Sorry if these are really thick questions and thanks again

On the 8th, VS27 the 40% held back have been released (Not the exits or the rows 21 to 28) thereare quite a few seats from 44A B C back and H J k back to 59 A b c and 60 h j k

1st Jan VS 16
That is very full, no UC seats, 4 PE seats and 31 Economy seats only not booked.
Only three rows of three seats, no centre row of four available.

You can checkin on line for the return, the 24 hours window still applies, the exit row seats are still only allocated at check in, i.e. at downtown disney, not on line.
If you are doing twilight checkin, don't forget that this opens up at noon at Gatwick the day before, so you might find the exit row seats gone if you turn up in the late afternoon/early evening.

 

[yummy mummy]

thanks obi will try to get to twilight and dtd early then!