V-Flyer

Hi all

Looking to travel out to SFO on 28th Feb in UC. Had been waitlisted directly on VA and managed to get a seat eventually (but at a sizeable full J fare). Checking on VA.com I see no direct UC fares available on that date - only indirect flights. However, checking the Delta website indicates availability in Business, for that exact direct flight (it shows operated by VA) and approx £2k less. Haven't followed through with the booking - but wondered why that may be occurring?

Does the seat really exist....do Delta have an allotment? Feedback welcome!

I'm not in the travel trade - but would guess that as Delta own 49% of VS & both airlines have a joint-venture across the Atlantic, then it is likely that Delta have an allocation on VS flights. I would only expect this to be the case on routes that they [Delta] don't operate directly themselves. Therefore, LHR-SFO is a safe bet, but London - New York would not be.

I know on the Orlando routes, Virgin Holidays get an allocation of seats (probably quite a big one) on the basis that it is 99% certain they can sell them, particularly at peak times like school holidays.

To the OP - I'd have done the booking via Delta if it clearly was the VS direct flights. The worst - in theory - that could happen is that the computer would say no when it came to issuing the e-ticket, so Delta would have to refund you. Or, they contact you and offer the indirect options, which you decline and ask for a refund as you were not trying to book indirect. If you were trying to book via Delta.co.uk then good luck - it's currently crashing / timing out on me, won't even show me the flights available, let alone book anything should I want to!

As to the loads in the VS341 on 28th Feb... J0 C0 D0 I0 Z0 W0 S0 H0 K0 Y9 B9 R9 L9 U9 M9 E9 Q9 X9 V9 N0 O0. So Upper Class & Premium Economy are sold out - possibly oversold. Do OLCI and get to the airport early - but as the OP is in Upper Class, I am sure the lure of the Clubhouse won't be a problem!

Delta website says they have 2 UC tickets for the 15:40 LHR departure on 28th Feb, both being full J's

Thanks for the replies folks. Spoke to my agent (AMEX) and they confirmed that there is no availability (not sure why delta is showing it). Now looking at an indirect route booked through VA but using Delta through Detroit.....fun...