Bassinet question

I'm probably not writing in the correct place, but I can't find where to ask a question! So if anyone here could help I'd really appreciate it.

I've booked to fly with Virgin from LGW to Mexico this September. I upgraded and paid to fly with Virgin rather than Thomas Cook due to their good reputation, plus we were assured by our travel agent that we could reserve a sky cot. This is my honeymoon with my husband and our 4 month old baby. Since paying we have no been told that a sky cot can not be guaranteed so I'm a little frustrated at having paid a lot more when we might not have had to (Thomas Cook said we could prebook our seats but the baby had to go in our laps). My little fella is a whopper though and not the most settled baby so we are obviously very nervous about taking him on a long haul flight.

I've now read that he is too big for the bassinet and I don't think the flights on this route have the cradle for the heavier babies.

So, could anyone advise me on whether there is a way of reserving a bulkhead seat and also if the airline are strict on the weight limitations with the bassinets? (He'll only be half a pound over the limit). If we thought we might have to have the baby in our laps we have said it might be too much for us both and the baby so might considering cancelling our trip until the little guy is a little older.

If you prebook seats does it cost? Are babies given priority over other passengers who might have booked the bulk head seats on Virgin flights?

Apologies for seeming to be penny-pinching, but being on maternity leave and having just got married (and going waaaaaay over budget on the cost of honeymoon)we thought we were doing the right thing by going with Virgin and allowing our little one to be able to have a flat place to sleep.

Many thanks in advance,


Hannah

Hi there,
You can't reserve a bulkhead seat as such, but if you call the Special Assistance line and explain your predicament they can sort it out for you. I don't know how strictly the weight limit for the bassinet is enforced but my guess is that VS do not weigh babies along with luggage.

I suspect the reason they won't guarantee a bassinet is simply because there is only a limited number on board and so they prefer to allocate the seats at check in when they can best assess people's needs in person.

I travelled to MIA back in May with at the time our 10month old. When we booked our flights I rang Virgin to reserve the sky cot, though they said they couldn't guarantee it, all was fine on the day.

Though remember if it's a bumpy flight and the seat belt signs are on, your little fella will have to be on your lap anyway.
The down side of the sky cot on a 747.

P.S our little girl was slightly over the weight, but it was fine.

Enjoy!

Just to let you know with all the new disability laws, disabled passengers now have to be given priority over any other passengers (including families with babies) in regards to bulkhead seats.

Thanks everyone. The little man loves to be on our laps so it's not a problem to have him there, but 10 continuous hours would maybe be difficult!!

Very good point about him not being weighed with the luggage - am still chuckling at the thought.

We will just get there extra early and hope everything will be fine.

Many thanks again for taking the time to help on this,

Regards,

Hannah x

You can do twilight check in the night before, as they only give out bulkheads on arrival. That way you should be one of the first. The crew wont really know how much he weighs and so it will only be a problem if he is too tall for bassinet. If for some reason you can't have a bulkhead u could then ask if there is any possiblility of sitting in a row with an empty seat so you can lay him down. (but usually that will then depend on how empty the flight is and who checks you in, I speak from experience)

The maximum weight of an infant allowed in a bassinet is for the safety of your child and the crew are very aware of how big is too big.

ps our little girl was slightly over the weight, but it was fine

I would recommend getting to check in early, the only people who should get priority over you for a bulkhead, as mentioned above, is passengers with disabilities.

If you are on the retro fit aircraft there are four bassinet positions.

Enjoy your holiday