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Which seats become available at OLCI?

PostPosted: 30 Aug 2009, 16:42
by Mont25
I've browsed this forum and other sites but can't find anywhere that clearly states which seats become available for selection (having not been previously) at OLCI.

Does anyone know this? Preferably broken down into each cabin and aircraft.

It would help me personally (Economy on an A346!) but am sure would help others too.

Can anyone help?

PostPosted: 30 Aug 2009, 16:51
by Neil
All available apart from bulkhead & exit row seats (plus extra leg room seats on the LGW/MAN a/c) become available at OLCI stage. This is about 40% of total seats available for selection, but it obviously depends on which seats have been selected by other pax already.

If a flight is very full and there are a lot of families travelling who haven't pre-requested seats than usually the system will allocate seats at OLCI and you won't have the option to choose.

Neil

PostPosted: 30 Aug 2009, 17:05
by mitchja
I don't know why but VS always block the first 6 or so rows in the economy cabin right up until OLCI opens on their 346 A/C. A member of staff might be able to shed some light on why this is done?

When you check-in at the airport, you can request exit row and bulk-head row seats. VS will charge you for exit row seats and assign you them there and then if there's any left. All pax in your party have to be over the age of 17 and be physically fit to sit in an exit row.

They wont allocate bulk-head seats to non-families until check-in closes.

Once check-in is closed (about 60 mins before departure) and if there are any remaining bulk-head seats left, you can then ask for these (at the gate or in the Clubhouse). Remember though, I think VS operate the same policy as all other airlines, in that they wont allocate you a seat next to a child if you are a single male.

Occasionally on quiet flights, if exit row seats remain unoccupied crew will ask on-board for volunteers to sit in them during take-off and landing (you can sit there the entire flight if you want) as I think all exit rows have to be occupied during take-off and landing.

Regards

PostPosted: 30 Aug 2009, 18:40
by DragonLady
quote:Originally posted by mitchja
Remember though, I think VS operate the same policy as all other airlines, in that they wont allocate you a seat next to a child if you are a single male.


This in my experience isn't the case. Dragonbaby (when aged about 13 and travelling alone in PE as an unaccompanied minor) has been sat next to single males on three separate flights. I was none too happy on each occasion as I'd been led to believe that this wouldn't happen.
DL

PostPosted: 30 Aug 2009, 18:45
by Guest
quote:Originally posted by mitchja
I think VS operate the same policy as all other airlines, in that they wont allocate you a seat next to a child if you are a single male.

Regards



Not so - I often travel alone and had to sit next to child. Not ideal for me either !

HG

PostPosted: 30 Aug 2009, 19:22
by Decker
quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
quote:Originally posted by mitchja
Remember though, I think VS operate the same policy as all other airlines, in that they wont allocate you a seat next to a child if you are a single male.


This in my experience isn't the case. Dragonbaby (when aged about 13 and travelling alone in PE as an unaccompanied minor) has been sat next to single males on three separate flights. I was none too happy on each occasion as I'd been led to believe that this wouldn't happen.
DL


OK DL I'll bite. Why exactly were you none too happy about this?

PostPosted: 30 Aug 2009, 22:29
by DragonLady
quote:Originally posted by Decker
quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
quote:Originally posted by mitchja
Remember though, I think VS operate the same policy as all other airlines, in that they wont allocate you a seat next to a child if you are a single male.


This in my experience isn't the case. Dragonbaby (when aged about 13 and travelling alone in PE as an unaccompanied minor) has been sat next to single males on three separate flights. I was none too happy on each occasion as I'd been led to believe that this wouldn't happen.
DL


OK DL I'll bite. Why exactly were you none too happy about this?

I was unhappy because I'd been told directly by VS that she'd be sat next to a female but more importantly because DB said she felt uncomfortable (particularly on the first journey where she said the chap was 'really odd' ).

PostPosted: 31 Aug 2009, 12:50
by OxfordNick
Just wanted to add that I had the seat I had prebooked disappear from the system for my flight to SFO on Sunday, but the held seats in PE were available about 15 mins before the 24hour start of OLCI so I was able to rebook something half decent without having to throw a strop at the airport.

May just have been the booking system having an off day (like the IFE & at seat power on the plane..) but might be worth checking if you are stuck.