V-Flyer

Hi this is my first post and I hope that someone can help me. I am due to fly in June from MCO to LGW in PE. We have been assigned seats 82A/C/H/K by our travel agent (we were unable to do this ourselves online). We requested the bubble, but as far as I can see on any of the 747 configurations, these seats are downstairs. I have spoken to Virgin and they say that these seats are downstairs. However, the travel agent is absolutely adamant that the seats are in the bubble and refuses to do anything further. They also say that seat requests are just that and are in no way guaranteed. I realise this but am getting rather frustrated and would like to do as much as possible to get into the bubble. Does anyone have any suggestions? thanks

Firstly, welcome to V-Flyer

Your travel agent is correct and seat requests are just that, requests. The actual seat can be changed right up to when you depart the gate for operational reasons such as aircraft type changes.

It is possible that you may be on one of the new A330 aircraft due to enter service in April so there is no bubble, or it could be that a LHR 747 is on that day. In that case, there is no PE upstairs, but you will get V-Port IFE and the purple leather seats.

If you post the date, we may be able to see what aircraft type is currently schedules for the VS17.

However, don't look for the seating plan for the VS17 - that goes to Newark.

slinky09 wrote:However, don't look for the seating plan for the VS17 - that goes to Newark.

<Captain Manwaring mode> Well done that man. I wondered who would be the first to spot that?

oops - glad you spotted my deliberate mistake... Thank you for your reply. We are travelling on 22 June. I understand that these are requests. I just couldn't understand that seemingly all 4 configurations of the 747 did not have the PE upstairs, and if downstairs, we are not sitting together. It is the attitude of the travel agent that has annoyed me and the fact that Virgin told me that we weren't in the bubble. Thanks again

Currently Expertflyer is showing both the VS15 and VS27 as the LGW/MAN config 747.

Has your travel agent booked it through Virgin Holidays or another package company? If through Virgin Holidays, it could be that their allocation of PE seats upstairs is already full and you've been allocated downstairs for now. Your options are to try for upstairs when OLCI opens or try at the airport.

how are you finding this info on expertflyer? (or where). Tried to look myself but couldn't find it.

We booked flight only through agent

thanks

Coming in from MCO to LGW on June 22nd VS16 is showing 9 PE Bubble seats not taken. There are also 9 on the VS28.

Could be no more seats will be reservable now until on line check in.
Do you have a booking reference? I think you can use a Virgin Holidays reference to access your flights via the Virgin Atlantic website. I have done this in the past. Even if you can't select seats now, you would be ready at OLCI (t-24) to make a grab for the bubble.

Expertflyer is a subscription service that allows users to look at flights for seat availability etc.

Looking at the seat plan, there are currently 10 available seats upstairs. Has the travel agent given you the 6 digit booking reference (usual alpha/numeric code)? With that, you should be able to view your booking on-line and move seats.

it's all a bit painful - I can change my outbound seats but am unable to do this for the return. I guess I will have to wait for OLCI and hopefully I will get our desired seats! Which tab do I look on expertflyer? I have a trial subscription and had a quick look but didn't get information that was as full as you gave me. Is this because of the level of subscription?

barey wrote:it's all a bit painful - I can change my outbound seats but am unable to do this for the return. I guess I will have to wait for OLCI and hopefully I will get our desired seats! Which tab do I look on expertflyer? I have a trial subscription and had a quick look but didn't get information that was as full as you gave me. Is this because of the level of subscription?

we've always found return flights from MCO often don't give you option of seat selection. OLCI 24hrs before can be good, again not always available.. though many B&S VH pax haven't got net access to do this- hence adding to the horrendous queues at MCO- although the net savviness is beginning to change........

Surely the only row 82 on VS aircraft is downstairs in LGW PE?

Bill S wrote:Surely the only row 82 on VS aircraft is downstairs in LGW PE?

exactly what I thought! This is fair enough - but the travel agent is adamant that it is upstairs. Therein lies my frustration...

barey wrote:

Bill S wrote:Surely the only row 82 on VS aircraft is downstairs in LGW PE?

exactly what I thought! This is fair enough - but the travel agent is adamant that it is upstairs. Therein lies my frustration...

I would be having words with them again then. All they have to do is log on to the VS website and view the seat maps on there to know what they are telling you is wrong!

I have spoken to them on several occasions, to the point that it is becoming embarrassing. They insist that it is upstairs and that it is only a request so cannot do anything...

I'd print off the seat plan for the aircraft and march into the travel agent and say "comment please".
It is only row 80 H&K which is in the bubble, all other 80's are downstairs.

Having flown this route many times I can confirm that the V-Flyers know far more than your agent

82 is 100% definitely downstairs, ask them if they are 100% sure and if they say yes, offer the bet of a free holiday (to take when not if you win)

barey wrote:I have spoken to them on several occasions, to the point that it is becoming embarrassing. They insist that it is upstairs and that it is only a request so cannot do anything...

My advice would be to email them (evidence trail) and provide them with this link: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/ourfleet/index.jsp?type=8

Make it clear to them that none of the aircraft within the VS fleet have PE seats inn the bubble on row 82. Ask them to confirm the correct seat numbers and that it is in the bubble.

You then have absolute evidence should you arrive on the day and find you are seated downstairs. Just covers your own back.

Good luck and regardless of where you are sitting, have a good flight!

Luke