Problem with seat allocations

I went on to the VS site this morning to see if I could allocate seats for return flight from MJB in March, probably around 20 hours ahead of 90 day threshold but though I would try. Found that couldn't access seat map for outbound for which seats are already allocated or return. On following link from "seat map unavailable" I received following message.

"To request seats before check in, please go to Manage Flights. Between 18th December 2013 & 30th January 2014 you will only be able to assign seats for flights departing on or before 01 March 2014"

I called VS who confirmed outbound seat allocations were in system but they couldn't offer any explanation regarding message above.

Anyone throw any light on this?

I will wait until tomorrow morning when I will be within the 90 days & call VS again, I certainly don't want to have to wait until end of January before securing seats for inbound flight.

oldboy

Had this recently - had to wait until T-70 before it became available, nobody knew why .. At least if you cant access it then nobody else can. I just kept trying until it came up. Good luck! B.

For flights departing after March 1st you can now only request seats at T-30 days.

T-90 is history.

(T-30 is an interim measure while VS roll out their new pay-to-select-a-seat system in economy. In due course you'll be able to request seats any time from T-336, for a fee in economy, free in PE, UC or for AU members. Your outbound request should be fine, but you can no longer see or change it again until T-30)

There's a lengthy debate about the new seat allocation rules here: forum/index.php?f=4&t=283847&rb_v=viewtopic#_thread

Gumshoe wrote

(T-30 is an interim measure while VS roll out their new pay-to-select-a-seat system in economy. In due course you'll be able to request seats any time from T-336, for a fee in economy, free in PE, UC or for AU members. Your outbound request should be fine, but you can no longer see or change it again until T-30)

Congratulations Gumshoe, in one short paragraph you have perfectly summed up the new seat allocation rules
The lengthy debate you state would never have happened if VS had explained in a similar fashion

Can anybody shed any light on my position, please?

Going to DXB at the end of February, and picked seats at T-90; these are still showing on the seat plan.

We are returning after 1st March, and I had already requested seats for the inbound, again at T-90. The seat map for this flight is now unavailable according to the new rules. My question is this: - is it likely that my seat choice will remain or will I have to re-select at T-30? A check on expertflyer shows that these seats are shown as 'chosen' still!!

Who knows what will happen with the Virgin-on-the-ridiculous IT department mangling of seat requests. I would check it daily. I think you should assume the worst, hope for the best, I don't think anyone "knows" exactly what will happen so watch it like a hawk.

Turquoise - the official answer is that if you managed to select seats before the "lock-down" came in on Wednesday, you'll be fine.

You should be able to check and access them again 30 days before departure.

Just checked with VS who confirmed that seats pre allocated for outbound flight are still in system, not happy ay having to wait until departure date - 30 days before booking for return.

oldboy

Just checked with VS who confirmed that seats pre allocated for outbound flight are still in system, not happy ay having to wait until departure date - 30 days before booking for return.

oldboy

No-one's happy about that but at least everyone's in the same boat so if you're logged on at 8am at T-30 you should have a head start and get what you want.