V-Flyer

T-60 today for our October return flight from NYC. So as usual I logged into my account at 0800 and clicked through. Seat map available, all seats available, so I chose the ones we wanted and submitted.

"Sorry, these seats are unavailable, you are still in your original seats".

Hmm. But as T-60 is today, we don't have "original seats". Tried again. Same thing.

So I rang FC to be told that yes, she could book the seats for me, and did, but I couldn't do it online till after my flight time (1930). Told her this had never happened before, it was always 0800 irrespective of flight time but she said no, it was flight time, not 0800. And my experience on the website bore this out.

So is this new? Can't think it's her mistake when the website seemed to confirm it.

I did not have an issue selecting my seats at 8am today. Before 8 I was getting the message that you were but after 8am all sorted. My flight is not until midday (ish)

Yes, I did mine yesterday at 8.03, my flight time is 12.35, on 19/10.
So all seems OK.

You might have just been a minute or two before 8am (on the VS system). The error you got does happen until 8am.

My last evening flight from the US I couldn't choose my seat until it clicked over to 59 days 20 hours

Technically a 1930 flight ex NYC is 0030 the next day UK time. Might be relevant ... or might not, who knows.