V-Flyer

But that was 9 years ago . Flying out to Newark from Heathrow with my new bride I cheekily asked for an upgrade at the check in desk as we had just been married the day before (I'd also seen a FRIENDS episode where they tried this)a quick call to the office and we were on our way - Premium Economy courtesy of Mr.Branson. We couldn't believe our look. After an amazing week in New York we found ourselves back at the check in desk for the trip home, thinking we were automatically back in economy for the return trip I asked the girl at check in, using the "we've jut had an amazing honeymoon in New York, any chance of an upgrade" trick. Her response was - come see me at the gate. she was pretty bored looking and I thought there was no chance.I did go and see her and to our amazement she put us in UPPER!! The seats were the forward facing variety and finished in red, a pretty amazing end to our honeymoon - hunting down the pictures/vids from an old compact flash card if anyone is interested.

This Thursday we're heading out for a week in LA this time with our two boys in tow - Reading these forums the last few weeks it seems the upgrades are not something they hand out anymore. But looking forward to our trip none the less

Thought I'd share this story and I'll also do a TR from rows 63 & 64 though I'm going to try and book the exit row seats with the kids behind us if I can - whats the best way to do this? online or at the check in desk

Thanks

Paul

Lucky you to get those upgrades! I also managed to get upgrades on a flight to EWR in 2001 just before 9/11 simply because the recline mechanism on our PE seat was faulty - well to be more accurately, my son's. There was no way they were going to let a 12 year old in UC on his own so I benefitted from it.

With regard to exit rows, if you have booked directly with VS you can call and request them. See here If you have booked via a travel agent then you can try at the airport

To add to what Honey lamb has already said, my advice to anyone who has asked me about getting an upgrade because they are on Honeymoon, is that there are two Hopes in life and one is Bob!!

I recently returned from EWR and had the foresight to pay for the exit row seats - one of the best investments I have ever made

buns

Are the eit row seats that good? I seem to remember from a previousVS flight that in economy they are several inches narrower.

Spill wrote:Are the eit row seats that good? I seem to remember from a previousVS flight that in economy they are several inches narrower.

They are narrower as the armrests are a lot bigger as they contain the tray tables for the seats. Because of this, the IFE controller also sticks out from the armrest.

The exit rows are slightly narrower as the tray table is housed in the armrest. And no seat in front also means no storage space for your bags/belongongs etc so you have to keep getting up and down to the overhead bins

I also find those seats colder

Spill wrote:Are the eit row seats that good? I seem to remember from a previousVS flight that in economy they are several inches narrower.

As Tinks and Penny note, they are a couple of inches narrower, but personally I find the extra legroom more beneficial than the loss of width. I'm tall and skinny so its fine for me. If one is shorter and more amply proportioned (is that PC enough?) then the extra legroom seats may be a better option for more space with no loss of width.

Enjoy the trip wherever you sit.

Cheers

Martin

Pre booked exit row seats on my last trip to MCO, and I'm with Martin IMO the extra legroom far outweighs the fact that the seats are slightly narrower

) I remember my brother many years ago flying to Mauritius after his first marriage, all dressed up and asking for an upgrade as he'd just got married and was going on his honeymoon. The reply he got was "Everyone on this fligfht in June is going on their honeymoon!" ^)

Penny_L wrote:The exit rows are slightly narrower as the tray table is housed in the armrest. And no seat in front also means no storage space for your bags/belongongs etc so you have to keep getting up and down to the overhead bins

I also find those seats colder

I also find these seats colder, is there a reason for this?