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Question about upgrades & seats on Virgin Atlantic

PostPosted: 26 Jul 2012, 04:29
by whosoliver
Hi, hope I'm posting this in the correct place.

This September I'll be flying to London via Boston, my first time oversees and my first time on Virgin Atlantic. I've flown Virgin America religiously the past two years and am very familiar with their upgrade process (24hrs & 6hrs before departure time.) My question-does Virgin Atlantic have the same policy? Cheaper upgrades the day of your flight, or is it a different process all together? I tried Googling but am confused because I've read two different things.

Also-any seat locations to avoid in Economy? Seatguru tells me I'm flying on an A340-300.

Thanks in advance for answering!

Andrew

Re: Question about upgrades & seats on Virgin Atlantic

PostPosted: 26 Jul 2012, 05:11
by buns
Andrew

Hi and welcome to V-Flyer

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but the VX upgrade process (which many on this Site consider the tops) is not replicated on Virgin Atlantic n(

To get an upgrade on the day, it will only be at the airport (if space is available) and there are usually fixed fees of around £250

Buns

Re: Question about upgrades & seats on Virgin Atlantic

PostPosted: 26 Jul 2012, 06:51
by jodash
Could the OP not go to the manage my booking page as they sometimes attach upgrade offers on there,I have had a few upgrades that way

Re: Question about upgrades & seats on Virgin Atlantic

PostPosted: 26 Jul 2012, 10:01
by at240
Andrew

Welcome. As jodash says, look in 'Manage My Booking' to see if any upgrades are offered. Also, I'd give VS a call because the system does not always offer you upgrades even when they are there for the taking. Waiting until you get to the airport is possible, but upgrades there can be pricey and there is every chance the cabin will be full by the time you get there.

Have a look at the seat maps in the toolbox of this site for seating tips. If you are on an A343 then that's not the best experience (old IFE on all but one of the planes), but in my experience VS quite often switch this route to a 346 (much better).

Oh -- and post your itinerary on the calendar on this site and who knows, you may get a clubhouse invitation. :)

Re: Question about upgrades & seats on Virgin Atlantic

PostPosted: 26 Jul 2012, 20:22
by whosoliver
Thanks so much for the responses. I noticed the "upgrade" option on my itinerary last night. Even after dropping $100 from last night to today it's still a little out of my price range. I'll keep an eye out. Is premium economy really that much greater than economy?

That seating chart was very helpful, thanks!

Andrew

Re: Question about upgrades & seats on Virgin Atlantic

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2012, 07:59
by jodash
whosoliver wrote:Thanks so much for the responses. I noticed the "upgrade" option on my itinerary last night. Even after dropping $100 from last night to today it's still a little out of my price range. I'll keep an eye out. Is premium economy really that much greater than economy?

That seating chart was very helpful, thanks!

Andrew


Andrew

If you can look every day (I do) and you could get the price you want

Re: Question about upgrades & seats on Virgin Atlantic

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2012, 18:30
by Tooterturtle
I'm a new user too. :) For my flight SFO -LHR in late September, I checked every day and an upgrade from Economy to Premium Economy came up about the 12th day. Keep your eyes out, something might work out.

I echo whosoliver's question about PE, can anyone comment about the difference between the classes? My last UK visits, I had to fly Economy; it was pretty miserable for an overnight 11 hour flight. I'm thinking the larger seat and more legroom would be worth it, so paid the extra fare for the trip to LHR. Some day when I win the lottery, I'll fly UC :)

I like these forums, people are very civil here. Now if I just hijacked this thread, please gently put me in my place :)