V-Flyer

just noticed this in FAQ, anyone know what this service is about?

http://virginatlantic.custhelp.com/app/ ... eat%20plus

Seat Plus (Which started yesterday) is a new service that allows you to book the seat next to you to keep it empty. It can also be done to book the block of 4 seats in the middle for just yourself, as well as the 2 or 3 seats on the side.

It is only available if T class is available, and from what I can remember 72 hours before the departure. Prices vary on the flights but are between 100 to 200 GBP per seat.

Hope this helps.

Dan

Is it available in UC?

Interesting. Is this a sign that the new seating system is nearing completion?

But this might cause some complaints

seats only confirmed during check-in and OLCI not available

Interesting stuff!

tontybear wrote:But this might cause some complaints

seats only confirmed during check-in and OLCI not available

This is so the seat next to the passenger can be blocked at the airport, to keep the seat empty, as the online check in system does not recognise the seat plus option (yet). Just like when the extra legroom seats and exit seats when initially offered as a purchase option from the contact centre, OLCI was not available then, as they had to be assigned at the airport.


Dan

My Interest was high when I read the first post ,but if it only available at the Airport its purely getting revenue for seats on a fairly empty plane , so better to take your chance onboard ,some may think differently Im sure .

Yep it guarantees the empty seat next to you rather than taking a chance that you'll have an empty seat or being lucky enough to move to empty seats after take off. I suppose it's good if flight is busy and you want a bit more room without paying for premium.

Penny_L wrote:just noticed this in FAQ, anyone know what this service is about?

http://virginatlantic.custhelp.com/app/ ... eat%20plus

Wow, good spot Penny, what eagle eyes you must have. Out of curiousity how'd you notice it buried in the FAQ section like it is?

Sounds like a novel way of raising some money, I wonder.. do you get everything that comes with the extra seat ?| (Meal, amenity items, drinks ): etc..)

at240 wrote:Is it available in UC?

Interesting. Is this a sign that the new seating system is nearing completion?

Nope it states in the ECONOMY cabin New seating system nearing completion.... surely not :0

Not sure what I think about this to be honest.. will have to try it and see, I do recognise the merits of more space in Economy though. Additional perk for AU holders VS?? ii)

I also wonder if sofas in the sky will be next in economy... oh wait ii)

You don't get extra meal or amenity kit just the seat (and blanket and pillow)

The only possible use that I can think of for a single passenger wanting to reserve a block of 4 seats is so that they can lay down and have a sleep - I don't quite know if I like the idea of people putting their feet all over the seats?! Especially if they've just been refurbed! v(

MrSquare wrote:The only possible use that I can think of for a single passenger wanting to reserve a block of 4 seats is so that they can lay down and have a sleep - I don't quite know if I like the idea of people putting their feet all over the seats?! Especially if they've just been refurbed! v(

It happens all the time when loads are light anyway, so it isn't suddenly going to start something that never happens before. Most pax take their shoes off anyway so I can't see how it is going to impact the seats.

I would certainly consider using this facility, could be great for couples also, guaranteeing that no one sits next to them on a row of 3 etc. Could be seen as a less pricey "upgrade" for people wanting that extra bit of space who can't afford to upgrade to PE/UC

Perhaps a good idea for a couple with a small person (under two) who doesn't require a paying seat. Would save X hours sat on a parent's lap.

Sounds like a 'second rate' Air New Zealand product

Their Sky Couch has been operating for some while and is apparently very successful

Shame the VS "idea" has not copied their whole product ii) ii)

Ian6969 wrote:I would certainly consider using this facility, could be great for couples also, guaranteeing that no one sits next to them on a row of 3 etc. Could be seen as a less pricey "upgrade" for people wanting that extra bit of space who can't afford to upgrade to PE/UC

Me too when the 2 of you are in a row of 3 but then when checking about it not being assigned until you are at the airport perhaps its not quite so attractive as you may end up getting the three next to the toilet, having paid extra to be in my most dreaded place on the plane

Very often after takeoff, people move seats in the cabin to ones that are obviously vacant.

How will this work then. Won't there be a fuss when someone moves and is told no they can't sit there even though it's an empty seat ?|

I can see SOME people getting a bit argumentative about that and the poor old cabin crew getting some stick about it n(

thelaceys

Henrey wrote:My Interest was high when I read the first post ,but if it only available at the Airport its purely getting revenue for seats on a fairly empty plane , so better to take your chance onboard ,some may think differently Im sure .

It's not available at the airport. Only through the contact centre. That may be correct in some cases that the plane would be empty. But there is case when there are a few seats free on a flight but they would be dotted around and most probably in the centre of the middle 4. Whilst this service would allow you to guarantee the two seats on the side to yourself.
I guess its a glass half full/half empty scenario.

SNOMO wrote:

Ian6969 wrote:I would certainly consider using this facility, could be great for couples also, guaranteeing that no one sits next to them on a row of 3 etc. Could be seen as a less pricey "upgrade" for people wanting that extra bit of space who can't afford to upgrade to PE/UC

Me too when the 2 of you are in a row of 3 but then when checking about it not being assigned until you are at the airport perhaps its not quite so attractive as you may end up getting the three next to the toilet, having paid extra to be in my most dreaded place on the plane

I think what will happen, that the people that have purchased Seat Plus will have the seats allocated before check in opens. So then it eliminates the issue of the seats needing to be juggled at check in to get the 2 or so together. So I doubt that if purchased you'd end up next to the toilets.


Dan

thelaceys wrote:Very often after takeoff, people move seats in the cabin to ones that are obviously vacant.

How will this work then. Won't there be a fuss when someone moves and is told no they can't sit there even though it's an empty seat ?|

^ totally agree -- if you are the only one in an otherwise empty group of 4 (which you have purchased), how is it going to be policed so that someone else doesn't nab the other seats after take-off?

At 6'3 I would rather block the seat in front so as not to get pinned in my seat for 10 hours

At 6'3 I would rather block the seat in front so as not to get pinned in my seat for 10 hours

Just noticed this page on the website

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/th ... -plus.html

StillRedHot wrote:Just noticed this page on the website

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/th ... -plus.html

Huh, extra benefit for an AU in Economy do we hope??? ):

DocRo wrote:At 6'3 I would rather block the seat in front so as not to get pinned in my seat for 10 hours

Like in the new PE seats.........

I have just checked this out for my VS001 in Dec and been told the flight is too busy so Seat Plus is not available n( , never mind I'll just squish up to the wife and whoever else is next to us.