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Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 14:20
by olisones
Hi all,
I selected my seat on my upcoming A340-600 LHR-HKG flight in UC (4K as suggested on here) when the seat selection opened awhile back. Logged on today to find my seat moved to 4D. All As and Ks are now blocked out but there hasn't been a plane change that I can see. Any reason why this might have happened?I've popped myself if 10k for the meantime until OLCI opens but still a bit annoying!
Oli
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 14:51
by Sarastro
The number of times I have had seats changed only to find that my original seat has been taken by a Virgin Atlantic staff member...
One of the many reasons I avoid Virgin these days. Yet to have a seat changed by either BA or Emirates (except for welcome upgrades!)
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 15:08
by Linyilee
Here we go again lol
Perhaps Virgin just do it a different way? They won't move you to accommodate a staff member, more likely your original seat had a problem so they wanted to make sure you were looked after so moved you? Quite likely a staff member would be given a faulty seat but they will allocate that at the gate so also possible they got it fixed in the turnaround, but they are not likely to move you back after check in
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 16:35
by gumshoe
Could be any number of reasons - faulty seat, large group need seating together, seat needed for a special assistance passenger - who knows.
It's annoying but it happens, on any airline. And for the record there are many, many examples, both here and on Flyertalk, of it happening on BA too - and they charge for seat reservations.
Take hiljil for example - she says BA have done it to her on 6 out of the 7 times she's flown in CW!!
http://v-flyer.com/forum/index.php?f=13 ... ic#p884407
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 18:02
by marshy11
And just to reiterate, it's a request, whether we like it or not.
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 18:07
by olisones
marshy11 wrote:And just to reiterate, it's a request, whether we like it or not.
Good point! Looking at the seat map and how A and K blocked out down to 9, it could well be a group. I'll check when OLCI opens next Tuesday. Was hoping for 4k as that seems to be the best from fellow V-Flyers!
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 18:12
by Sarastro
I can tell you for a FACT that on three occasions, my seat has been changed - either at the gate, or prior to check in - to make way for a Virgin Atlantic staff member. I know because I went and spoke to them. The seat looked fine in each case - including the one that was changed at the gate - the IFE was working and it converted to a bed better than the seat I was given, which was locked in the upright position all night....
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 18:43
by PaulS
The reason why BA changes seats at GATWICK is due to a change of aircraft I.e. 3 class to 4 class, which is totally different in this case, and since the OP is not flying until next week it's hardly likely to bed down to a broken seat. Like Sarastro I too have never had a seat change on BA but as pointed out before BA favours their golds and knows how to look after them, something I found sadly lacking with VS in my latter years of being a gold card holder.
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 20:53
by hiljil
Thank you gumshoe for saving me the trouble of getting on my high horse again !!!!!
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 21:30
by Blacky1
Why some people bother to come on here for the sole purpose of putting VS down all the time makes no sense to me
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 21:34
by Love2fly98
Ditto
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 21:35
by Sarastro
If that was a jab at me, all I would say is that for more than five years I was Virgin AU. When I ceased to fly VS, I offered to leave this site, and was asked to stay. I am sorry if you don't like someone pointing out the truth about VS.
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 21:46
by Blacky1
Sarastro wrote:If that was a jab at me, all I would say is that for more than five years I was Virgin AU. When I ceased to fly VS, I offered to leave this site, and was asked to stay. I am sorry if you don't like someone pointing out the truth about VS.
I was indeed referring to you ,everyone is entitled to their opinion which I respect but when was the last time you posted anything positive about VS ? All I ever see posted are comments having a go at VS which quite frankly is getting boring , exactly what happened to you that turned you from a loyal gold card holder to someone with an absolute hatred of VS

Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 22:02
by Hev60

No No - looks like another argument brewing
Last time, same person got really prickly during the 'knee defender heated debate' and then the Mods had to step in. This will go the same way
It is really silly to come on a Virgin Atlantic forum and criticise them - its always going to lead to confrontation.
It is plain human nature = defend the one you love

Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 22:03
by Sarastro
What happened? Being called a liar by customer services (they apologised and admitted they were wrong, eventually). Four consecutive flights with seat changes, all triggered by VS staff taking my seat. Being told on my flight to get married that I was being picky for wanting to be on the same FLIGHT as my fiancee. Having the suggestion made to me that if they couldn't get me on the same flight to the West Coast as my fiancee I should consider getting married somewhere else - like Lagos. Being told by gate staff 'whatever - you are the flight aren't you?' after another seat change. Having a seat in Upper that rose and fell all night thanks to an electrical problem. Being offered 5,000 frankly unspendable miles for all the hassle provided.
Why do I like BA - well, because so far (and I stress that) they have been hassle free. Simple as that.
I'll post something positive about VS when the DELIVER something positive to me. You will notice until they went completely rotten to me, I was positive about them.
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 22:04
by Sarastro
And forgive me - I didn't get prickly on the thread about the knee defender - I think that would be better aimed at the person who was going to slam his seat into my knees whatever.
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 22:11
by RIPMadsButts
My requested seat was changed the day before departure, I was annoyed as I'd been booked in since 59 days prior! We were told it was faulty. Boarded and I went for a wander and sure enough there was NO ONE sat there. The cabin crew manager checked the report and on it, it read that seat was unusable. My confidence in Virgin was maintained!
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 22:14
by Blacky1
Sarastro wrote:What happened? Being called a liar by customer services (they apologised and admitted they were wrong, eventually). Four consecutive flights with seat changes, all triggered by VS staff taking my seat. Being told on my flight to get married that I was being picky for wanting to be on the same FLIGHT as my fiancee. Having the suggestion made to me that if they couldn't get me on the same flight to the West Coast as my fiancee I should consider getting married somewhere else - like Lagos. Being told by gate staff 'whatever - you are the flight aren't you?' after another seat change. Having a seat in Upper that rose and fell all night thanks to an electrical problem. Being offered 5,000 frankly unspendable miles for all the hassle provided.
Why do I like BA - well, because so far (and I stress that) they have been hassle free. Simple as that.
I'll post something positive about VS when the DELIVER something positive to me. You will notice until they went completely rotten to me, I was positive about them.
Not likely to deliver anything positive to you if you don't fly with them are they !!!
As for having your seat REQUEST changed so often does that not seem strange to you ?
It's never happened to me but then again I've never complained about them
Also I hear Lagos is nice anytime of year

Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 22:19
by DragonLady
Blacky1 wrote:I was indeed referring to you ,everyone is entitled to their opinion which I respect but when was the last time you posted anything positive about VS ? All I ever see posted are comments having a go at VS which quite frankly is getting boring , exactly what happened to you that turned you from a loyal gold card holder to someone with an absolute hatred of VS 
Sorry Blacky but I don't agree with your comments. I don't think Sarastro has shown any hatred to VS - he / she is simply expressing their opinion ( which you've acknowledged is their perogative). Thankfully we're lucky to live in a democratic society.
Hev60 wrote::? No No - looks like another argument brewing
Last time, same person got really prickly during the 'knee defender heated debate' and then the Mods had to step in. This will go the same way
It is really silly to come on a Virgin Atlantic forum and criticise them - its always going to lead to confrontation.
It is plain human nature = defend the one you love 
Really?
There's been plenty of criticism of VS ( when justified) by long standing members of this forum ( me included).
DL
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 22:28
by Blacky1
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 22:32
by Linyilee
Sarastro wrote:I can tell you for a FACT that on three occasions, my seat has been changed - either at the gate, or prior to check in - to make way for a Virgin Atlantic staff member. I know because I went and spoke to them. The seat looked fine in each case - including the one that was changed at the gate - the IFE was working and it converted to a bed better than the seat I was given, which was locked in the upright position all night....
Quite possibly it happened once out of co incidence but i can tell you 100% it does not happen, your just unfortunate in your experience but it has nowt to do with you being moved so staff can take your seat.
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 22:39
by Neil
Please let's keep this thread on topic or it will be locked. There is absolutely no need to reference back to any previous threads.
Also please remember, personal attacks are not allowed under the sites rules.
Members are entitled to post their opinion, positive or negative, we are all adults and should be able to have a discussion without it turning nasty.
Thanks
Neil
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 22:39
by Sarastro
Read what I wrote, please. Three occasions. Staff on each occasion. It happens.
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 22:42
by Blacky1
Neil wrote:Please let's keep this thread on topic or it will be locked. There is absolutely no need to reference back to any previous threads.
Also please remember, personal attacks are not allowed under the sites rules.
Members are entitled to post their opinion, positive or negative, we are all adults and should be able to have a discussion without it turning nasty.
Thanks
Neil
Understood Neil , I've made my point
Re: Any reason for a seat change on same aircraft?

Posted:
10 Oct 2014, 22:57
by Hev60
Blacky1 wrote:Neil wrote:Please let's keep this thread on topic or it will be locked. There is absolutely no need to reference back to any previous threads.
Also please remember, personal attacks are not allowed under the sites rules.
Members are entitled to post their opinion, positive or negative, we are all adults and should be able to have a discussion without it turning nasty.
Thanks
Neil
Understood Neil , I've made my point
Also totally agree Neil, and that is why I simply wrote that I hoped this discussion will not result in the topic being locked.
I shall make no more comments on this one now.