View Full Version : Virgin seat allocation
When we booked our flight out to San Francisco and back from Las Vegas back in January we picked our seats online under Manage your flights.
Today I've checked them as we are flying next Tuesday and got the following Message:
London to San Francisco, Tue 14 Aug, 11:00
We're sorry. The seat map is not available at this time. Your seats will be assigned at check in.
Las Vegas to London, Wed 29 Aug, 16:05
We're sorry. The seat map is not available at this time. Your seats will be assigned at check in.
Is this normal or does it mean we no longer have pre allocated Seats
[:O]
I'm sure someone here will have the answer:) if not I will have to ring Virgin.
CERICROWLEY
08-08-2007, 16:32
Check-in online 24 hours before and you should be able to get your seat allocation then.
orlandochris
08-08-2007, 16:35
Similar happened to us whe we flew to Orlando in June. We were allocated seats online when we booked the tickets back in January, but when it came to checking in, there was no record of this, so we were reallocated.
jillizzy
08-08-2007, 17:04
Virgin's system changed in May. If their pre-allocation of seats are full then the seat maps will no longer show until OLCI, this doens't mean that your requested seats have been changed, just that you can't see the map.
If you put in your FF number and access 'Manage your flights' you should still see your seats numbers listed, just not the map.
Jill
Are all seats available to pre book, or do they hold some back for the day of travel.
If you put in your FF number and access 'Manage your flights' you should still see your seats numbers listed, just not the map.
Jill, I tried this and still got the same message. No seat numbers listed.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by haras
Are all seats available to pre book, or do they hold some back for the day of travel.
[/quote]No, there's only a percentage that you can pre-book and they don't guarantee them anyway.
glasgowmary
08-08-2007, 18:58
we picked our seats to mco in june and when we got there they had been reallocated .we didn ' t get to sit together and my husband is not grat at small talk and likes to sit together. when i complained vigin said they were not guaranted [msnsad] the flight was very , very busy though. i think if you are at the check- in early you will be fine ,due to our domestic we were late don' t think it would have been a problem if we were on time.
Fourdents
08-08-2007, 19:32
Yet another example of Virgin Atlantic's POOR customer service !
freddiehollie
08-08-2007, 19:36
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Fourdents
Yet another example of Virgin Atlantic's POOR customer service !
[/quote]
I don't think its just Virgin. We have had the same problems with other airlines as well:(
Most of the other airlines have exactly the same situation where nothing's guaranteed about seating until you get in the Departure Lounge!
Cruella DeVilla
08-08-2007, 21:09
They do this occasionally, my next return leg of the journey says this same message. luckily I managed to pre book the seats I wanted before this message appreared as I like to take the same seat in PE. It also happened on mn my parents flight out in May so I think it is quite normal.
Y you should still be able to pre book seats by calling Virgin. I did to make sure my seat was still prebooked.
No airline will guarantee you seat allocation. They will on occasion ask you to move seats even after you've boarded.
Usually you will get the seats you want if you book early enough, and many airlines track the seat preferences of frequent flyers and offer window/aisle or whatever (if available) when booking online. But it's always only 'pencilled in' and nothing you could really complain about (I'm sure it's in the website small print somewhere) :D
I think I'll give them a ring just to see.
We were planning to check in online anyway so hopefully we'll be able to choose new seats then if our original seats have been re-allocated.
Thanks to everyone for their help.
At least thinking about this stops me worrying about some other part of our trip that may go wrong LOL.
glasgowmary
08-08-2007, 21:40
i would check-in online as the airports seem to be so slow at the moment
It may also be that this close to the flight they have begun processing it, ready for online check-in. When I have discussed flight seat allocations with staff at Gatwick they explained that the flight controller (or something similar) started doing this 72-48 hours before the flight, perhaps with online check-in they now begin this process earlier. I wouldn't panic and check online check-in when you can. Alternatively phone their customer services.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Fourdents
Yet another example of Virgin Atlantic's POOR customer service !
[/quote]
Wrong I am afraid, all airlines work the same.[msnwink]
jillizzy
09-08-2007, 13:36
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Y
If you put in your FF number and access 'Manage your flights' you should still see your seats numbers listed, just not the map.
Jill, I tried this and still got the same message. No seat numbers listed.
[/quote]
Sorry didn't answer you yesterday.
If, in "Manage my Booking", you expand "Passenger Details", then you expand each passenger, does it still state both the outbound and return seat numbers for each passenger? If so then your seats are still allocated. If not, give VA a call.
HTH
Jill
Thanks Jill, I found our original seat numbers when I expanded each passenger name individually.
Many thanks for your help.
jillizzy
09-08-2007, 14:30
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Y
Thanks Jill, I found our original seat numbers when I expanded each passenger name individually.
Many thanks for your help.
[/quote]
you're very welcome
Jill
I had pre booked our seats (7 of us) in Feb for our flight in July, when we checked in online we had totally different seats allocated for us.
I fortunately had been allocated row 22 abc, I had sent an email to Virgin stateing my fear of flying, so I was well chuffed.
My Brother and his 2 daughters had been placed in row 60 abc, we had chosen 32 abc, luckily as the plane was quite empy, they were moved by me, my husband and our youngest Son, the cabin was empty, so had it all to ourselves, same on way back[msnsmile2]
I had a very good experience with Virgin and will never fly with anyone else, but that is my opinion, each to their own.
So I think with seat allocation, it must not be guarenteed, do online check in and view your seats on there, if not satisfied, I was advised to turn up at airport a bit earlier and have a word with a member of the Virgin Staff.[msnsmile2]
I have never had a problem with the Virgin seat allocation. Although this was last year.
seems like they all do the same now. We had similar with BA earlier this year when they would not allocate the seats until 24 hrs before. We are booked with Virgin to go out next month and had pre booked seats. When I checked they were same as 'y' but I phoned up and they were still allocated. it seems this is the case whether you travel economy, PE or upper class.
Joyce
Hi,
I am after a bit of advice regarding seats. Unfortunatley we had to cancel our original dates last week and are now travelling out on November 14th. I expected the flight to be relativley empty but have found its literally full.There are very few seats left to pre book so am unable to do anything until 24 hrs before.Would anyone know what sort of chance a familly of 5 will have of sitting next to each other once the remaing allocation is open.Or if there is any chance of getting rows 60+61 where its 3 and then 2 seats.
Thanks..
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote: Hi,
I am after a bit of advice regarding seats. Unfortunatley we had to cancel our original dates last week and are now travelling out on November 14th. I expected the flight to be relativley empty but have found its literally full.There are very few seats left to pre book so am unable to do anything until 24 hrs before.Would anyone know what sort of chance a familly of 5 will have of sitting next to each other once the remaing allocation is open.Or if there is any chance of getting rows 60+61 where its 3 and then 2 seats.
Thanks..[/quote]
I have booked flights for December and couldn't get seats together for us (family of 6). I rang to check and Virgin advised the following:
Don't bother pre-booking seats which don't suit. A percentage are always held back and will be released 24 hrs before departure, so try again online then.
If that doesn't work properly for you, then ignore the online pre-booking and turn up at the desk (early). Virgin's policy is to seat families together and this rule takes priority over many other pre-booked requests, so you should be fine.
At least, that's what he told me...
Fourdents
29-10-2007, 15:36
Went to reserve a seat for a flight in November and Virgin have this posted in that section
"We're sorry. The seat map is not available at this time. Your seats will be assigned at check in."
Do they usually close the list this early ?
The flight times have also been changed. Wonder what they are up to ! [msneek]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Fourdents
Went to reserve a seat for a flight in November and Virgin have this posted in that section
"We're sorry. The seat map is not available at this time. Your seats will be assigned at check in."
Do they usually close the list this early ?
The flight times have also been changed. Wonder what they are up to ! [msneek]
[/quote]
Linda,
hmmm we're off on Sunday. Our seats are allocated for the outbound ok and have been for a few months, but the inbound is now showing the same as your's. We did have seats allocated on the inbound but were going to turn up early to get a better selection [msnsmile]
Fourdents
29-10-2007, 17:16
In the past I have reserved a seat and never found the seat allocation closed like it is today.
Changed flight times now seat map closed...........makes me nervous [msnscared][msneek]
LiesaAnna
29-10-2007, 20:56
it was like that when we went Linda, didnt expect to get bulkhead and adjacent seats but we did, on the way home given bulkhead seat didnt ask! virgin doing something right which makes a pleasant change!
jillizzy
29-10-2007, 22:15
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by wilfy
"We're sorry. The seat map is not available at this time. Your seats will be assigned at check in."
Do they usually close the list this early ?
The flight times have also been changed. Wonder what they are up to ! [msneek]
[/quote]
That's the normal response now if all the pre-allocation has gone, and has been since May of this year.
However, if you have made a previous request before the allocation was full just click on your intinerary and your requested seats will show.
Jill
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by jillizzy
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by wilfy
"We're sorry. The seat map is not available at this time. Your seats will be assigned at check in."
Do they usually close the list this early ?
The flight times have also been changed. Wonder what they are up to ! [msneek]
[/quote]
That's the normal response now if all the pre-allocation has gone, and has been since May of this year.
However, if you have made a previous request before the allocation was full just click on your intinerary and your requested seats will show.
Jill
[/quote]
Jill,
disagree, we had our seats booked for the flight back. I always check once a month or so just in case i can get the ones we want, but now - it does not allow us to change or show our selected seats.
jillizzy
29-10-2007, 23:18
I can only speak for my last 3 bookings (all this year) and on each occasion this has happened, including my one for November this year. I also know many others that the same thing has happened to.
I get the same message you quoted and if I click on my intinerary my pre-selected seats are still there even though I cannot view or change the seats.
Have you tried clicking on your itinerary? You should be able to do that and see your seat numbers.
Jill
floridageoff
29-10-2007, 23:28
I think everyone on the forum flying Virgin must be checking their seat allocations because it won't even let me log in at the moment!![msneek] It is saying "We're sorry your account is currently unavailable. Please try again later"
E. Cosgrove
29-10-2007, 23:42
Wonder what I will get when I travel on Friday?
I am travelling alone for the first time (To Florida that is)and as I am not the best flyer in the world I am a little apprehensive[msnsad]
An upgrade would be nice[msnwink]:D
Here's a quote from VA's FAQs
"Seating is a service we offer free of charge. Seats can be pre-arranged through our website (during the flight booking process, or once you have booked a flight by going to the 'Manage Your Flights' section of the site and using the 'Update Booking' option at anytime or the 'Online Check In' option 24 hour before your flight), or pre-requested through our Reservations department up to 336 days in advance of your departure date. Please note that seat numbers are never guaranteed and are subject to operational changes.
Seats are available for assignment from 336 days to 1 day prior to scheduled flight departure. The seat map button will not be displayed if the date does not fall within this range.
Seat maps are only available to customers who have purchased their tickets directly from Virgin Atlantic Airways or Virgin Holidays. Seat maps for bookings made with travel agencies or other third parties will be available soon
Approximately 60 per cent of seats are available for advance assignment, the remainder being held for check in. If the 60 per cent of assignable seats are taken, the seat map button will not be displayed."
We're booking through Air Miles so according to this I imagine we won't be able to pre-book seating until 24 hours before with online check in - unless they make it available before next summer - how soon is "soon"???
[msnsad]
E. Cosgrove
31-10-2007, 23:59
Jane
When you have made your booking ring Virgin Atlantic and ask them to provide you with a Virgin reference number for your flight so that you can manage your booking online.
They will ask you your name, flight number and date of travel and they will then give you a ref number you can use to book seats, check in etc.
We have done this just this week for our Feb flights which we booked through BMI with airmiles[msnsmile]
Thanks for that Liz - I'll definitely give it a go.