Man - Bgi in PE - Seat booking?

Hi all,

Hope some of you guys could point me in the right direction. We booked our flights on-line about 3 months ago (we fly on 16 May, and only 2 seats were available to reserve - row 82 in the middle. These are the 2 rows of PE behind the 14 UC seats.

Frow what I hear and read - the place to be is upstairs as this is all PE on a config 1 747.

Seat counter shows availability across all classes which suggests to me that VS are keeping plenty in reserve for on the day allocation.

Is upstairs the best option? If so, what's the best way of trying to secure one of these seats? early OLCI or turning up at MAN early?

All help appreciated.

Cheers

Early OLCI is the best option and I would always pick up stairs if I could.

[buns]

Hi Reggieb and welcome to V-Flyer

If the aircraft being used is the usual LGW / MAN configuration, then the front part of the upper deck (rows 70 - 74) are held for VH Customers - my recommendation would be to do OLCI as soon as it becomes available.

If you are lucky enough to get a LHR configured plane, then all the PE seats are on the lower deck, but they are the new style.

Good Luck

buns

[Neil]

Only 60% of seats are available for pre-allocation, the rest become available at OLCi. Also the exit rows and bulkheads are only available for allocation at the airport, so there is a good chance you will still be able to grab seats upstairs.

As Buns has already noted, unless you are lucky, you'll be sat in "old Premium economy" on the LGW/MAN flights. i.e. not like the glossy adverts you may of seen recently. Worth the heads up, so as not to be disappointed on the day.
The seats are cloth, some say more comfy, others not. The IFE is antiquated and the screens very small (but thats across the whole plane). The cabins are generally a bit worn-torn in some instances.
Saying that, its a substantial improvement over Y and can, dependent on fare, be worth it. The best news is they are due to refit these cabins with the new style PE plus new IFE sometime from next year onwards.

Upstairs every-time, do OLCI & turn up early, as the experience is enhanced by being in the smaller cabin in the bubble.

nh

Thanks clayts - from what I read upstairs is best.

I have a problem though, in that I'm travelling down from West Cumbria (i.e. back of beyond) on the train when OLCI opens. Is it likely to be all done and dusted by the time I get chance (possibly 5/6 hours after OLCI opens)?

Thanks for all the replies guys, very informative. I'm aware of the poor relation that the LGW/MAN flights have against LHR.
I think I will be a little disappointed with the IFE inparticular as we are used to flying with excellent on demand systems.

Guess I'll have to get creative with OLCI or worst case turn up at check in nice and early (this isn't a problem as we are staying at Bewleys across the road).

One thing that does annoy me about airline websites however is the fact that all the photo's and info always refers to the recently renovated or brand new facilities, which may only apply to a fraction of the services. This isn't only VS, EK and the rest probably get up to the same marketing ploy (rant over!).

Cheers

those seats downstairs are no better than Econ in my opinion. we have had them once -never again, i would rather down grade and save the money or miles

[honey lamb]

Thanks clayts - from what I read upstairs is best.

I have a problem though, in that I'm travelling down from West Cumbria (i.e. back of beyond) on the train when OLCI opens. Is it likely to be all done and dusted by the time I get chance (possibly 5/6 hours after OLCI opens)?

I would suggest that you check the website a couple of hours before OLCI as VS often releases the unallocated seats (except for exit rows and bulkheads) then. If you are lucky be sure to do OLCI as VS will only honour these requests up to 13 hours before the flight unless you have done so.

I'd still try and get there early and stomp your feet to get upstairs if you haven't managed to get them. I shouldn't recommend it but kicking off to actual virgin staff usually gets you what you want

those seats downstairs are no better than Econ in my opinion. we have had them once -never again, i would rather down grade and save the money or miles

Fully agree, the two rows downstairs look like an afterthought IMHO