*NEW*Selling of Extra Legroom seats LGW/ MAN Fleet

In addition to the sale of Exit row seats, from 25th June 2008 Virgin will be selling extra legroom seats on LGW/ MAN fleet in the Economy cabin.

These seats will be sold at check in desks, for allocated on the day. The same way as exit row seats are sold.

Currently LGW have a variety of pitches available around the cabin varying from 31' up to 34'. Virgin are taking each aircraft into the hangar and will be moving some seats around to give 20 seats some extra seat pitch.

The seatmap will be the same as current, i.e. the seat rows & numbers will be the same, the 20 seats we have designated as extra legroom (at 34' pitch) will have greater legroom than they do currently.

LGW 1 = G-VROS / G-VGAL / G-VLIP / G-VROM / G-VROY
Row 50 - A/B/C/H/J/K
Row 51 - A/B/C/H/J/K
Row 53 - D/E/F/G
Row 54 - D/E/F/G

LGW 2 = G-VTOP / G-VAST / G-VXLG
Row 22 - A/B/C/H/J/K
Row 31 - D/E/F/G
Row 32 - D/E/F/G
Row 62 - H/K
Row 63 - A/C/H/K

Thanks for the info, very interesting. Any idea on cost?

[Nottingham Nick]

This has been mentioned in several of the threads about people having their pre-requested seats cancelled, but I think it warrants a thread on its own.

I don't think the price has been determined yet, but the last thing I read said they will cost less than half the price, (compared to exit rows) making them an attractive option for travellers.

Time will tell, I assume they will be a popular option for people who don't want to shell out for PE, but want some extra space. Especially those travelling with children who can't sit at the exit row seats.

Thanks again for the info vscss [y]

Nick

I think exit rows are £75 per seat so perhaps £35 per seat for the extra room seats?

Interesting that they are increasing pitch in some seats without actually removing any seats. Does this mean that the non-extra pitch seats (particularly those directly in front and behind) will have reduced pitch?

I wonder whether there'll be another hysterical thread on The Dibb about this?[:D]

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by clarkeysntfc

Interesting that they are increasing pitch in some seats without actually removing any seats. Does this mean that the non-extra pitch seats (particularly those directly in front and behind) will have reduced pitch?

I'm *assuming* that there are a number of seats that have greater than thr standard 31' seat pitch and these are being reduced to standard pitch to allow for the increase.

Thanks,
Sarah

Originally posted by vscss

Virgin are taking each aircraft into the hangar and will be moving some seats around to give 20 seats some extra seat pitch.

When is this happening or has it already started to?

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by adb
When is this happening .....?

The official line is 'over the next four months', so it should all be complete well before the end of the year.

Nick

And yet the charters such as TCD, FCA etc are offering for next year 33-34' seat pitch with still cheaper seat prices, not an additional cost for seats which should be at this pitch anyway.
go figure. [:I]

Fly Virgin and pay extra to get the same as a Charter flight. nice advertising pitch...[:D]

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by AlanA
And yet the charters such as TCD, FCA etc are offering for next year 33-34' seat pitch ....

[?][?] TCD website says 30-33 inches
First Choice claim 33 inches.

If they are cheaper, and their grass appears to be greener, then 'go for it!' [;)][8D]

Nick

Not sure I like where this is heading. Seems all standard seats will now have 31' of pitch, whereas before you may be lucky and get an extra inch or two, which is still not a lot of room, especially when the seat in front reclines.

What will they come up with next?

[Neil]

Please can this thread not turn into a 'rubbish VS', brilliant charter debate AGAIN[ii]

I think this is a good idea by VS. I just hope that it is managed well and that people are given a fair chance to purchase these seats. I would have liked to see them sell them in advance, that way it will solve people hoping for them, not getting them then moaning because the seating options left don't suit there requirements. I am guessing that this will reduce the amount of seats available for pre-selection too, the masses on the Dibb wont be happy.

Neil

It would seem a good idea to have a way to help the 'larger' person.
The current method of pot-luck and somewhere between 31' and 34' does not provide any advantage to those who need more room - they are forced into a very uncomfortable position or have to pay for W.

This way the bigger seats are identified and they get 10% extra space for perhaps 10% extra cost.
What is lost - perhaps some bigger seats that were unidentified and free - perhaps an extra 1/2' across 12 rows in one cabin?

Did anyone even notice the bigger seats that were there before?

Wonder if these seats are free to FC Au members?

I can see it now, people pitching up tents the night before outside gatwick to bag the extra inches

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick

Originally posted by AlanA
And yet the charters such as TCD, FCA etc are offering for next year 33-34' seat pitch ....

[?][?] TCD website says 30-33 inches
First Choice claim 33 inches.

If they are cheaper, and their grass appears to be greener, then 'go for it!' [;)][8D]

Nick

Its my understanding that the TCD new aircraft will be 33' next year.
Neil, please take off the Virgin rose tinted glasses! [:D]
the reason for yet another VS vs Charters is that they are falling behind even the lowest common denominator and trying to stop discussion of it does VS no good you know! [:I]

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by slinky09
Wonder if these seats are free to FC Au members?

Why bother? [:w]

Maybe they should make them free for Red members that have had that level for at least 10 years....

Originally posted by RichardMannion

Originally posted by slinky09
Wonder if these seats are free to FC Au members?

Why bother? [:w]

Maybe they should make them free for Red members that have had that level for at least 10 years....

True, I hadn't personally envisaged travelling in Y but some no doubt do and plenty of airlines give their elites free access to bulkhead seats and those with extra leg room.

I like the suggestion though for Red members!

[RichardMannion]

Maybe the extra legroom seats could get the drink and meal service first. I can imagine the ensuing anarchy. They could have camera crews onboard, and sell it as a new reality TV show.

So this is like SQs Executive Economy Class on the A345 from SIN-EWR where you can have extra leg room, good idea VS shame that it wont be in action for the main rush on the B&S route!

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by clarkeysntfc


I wonder whether there'll be another hysterical thread on The Dibb about this?[:D]

Ask and ye shall receive

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler

Originally posted by clarkeysntfc


I wonder whether there'll be another hysterical thread on The Dibb about this?[:D]

Ask and ye shall receive

Aaaw, bless them! I loved the suggestion that anyone who had pre-selected these seats should be notified by VS. Did they expect that someone should be taken out of their normal duties to go through every single booking on a LGW/MAN flight for the next eleven months to notify those who had snagged row 62? Yes, yes! I know the answer. Of course they did, completely ignoring the fact that the LGW planes fly to other destinations besides their beloved MCO.

All I can say is, thank God for the voice of reason in our own beloved EGG [y]

Originally posted by slinky09

Originally posted by RichardMannion

Originally posted by slinky09
Wonder if these seats are free to FC Au members?

Why bother? [:w]

Maybe they should make them free for Red members that have had that level for at least 10 years....

True, I hadn't personally envisaged travelling in Y but some no doubt do and plenty of airlines give their elites free access to bulkhead seats and those with extra leg room.

I like the suggestion though for Red members!

If the original reply was to suggest that Au members do not travel Y then I must be the exception that proves the rule [:#]

In these increasingly frugal times many companies are reviewing travel policies and many of our frequent fliers spend considerable time down the back. A freebie of extra leg room would actually be quite welcome - especially if there are no paid takers.

FM

HAs been rumoured for a while and makes a lot of sense. A nice way for VS to get a little bit of extra cash.

One question, do these seats currently have larger leg room or are they to be slightly reconfigured over the next coming months whilst in scheduled maintenance to achieve the extra leg room?

Those that wish to VS bash v the Charters. The grass is greener on the other side isnt it.

TCD still do not have their new aircraft and when they get them they will be 330's operated by XL.

VS are not falling behind the lowest common denominator because they fly into a much superior airport, they do not cram you in like sardines, they give you seat request, they provide twlight check in free of charge and most importantly they offer a twice daily service unlike the charters who often fly only once a week.

Originally posted by virgin crazy
So this is like SQs Executive Economy Class on the A345 from SIN-EWR where you can have extra leg room, good idea VS shame that it wont be in action for the main rush on the B&S route!

Not really. As SQ's Executive Economy class, which has now been stopped, was for the whole of Y and was a seat pitch of some 38-40inches IIRC and used on the ultra long haul routes. The seats proved unpopular hence SQ deciding to fly the route in an all J class layout.

Originally posted by honey lamb

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler

Originally posted by clarkeysntfc


I wonder whether there'll be another hysterical thread on The Dibb about this?[:D]

Ask and ye shall receive

Aaaw, bless them! I loved the suggestion that anyone who had pre-selected these seats should be notified by VS. Did they expect that someone should be taken out of their normal duties to go through every single booking on a LGW/MAN flight for the next eleven months to notify those who had snagged row 62? Yes, yes! I know the answer. Of course they did, completely ignoring the fact that the LGW planes fly to other destinations besides their beloved MCO.

All I can say is, thank God for the voice of reason in our own beloved EGG [y]

That's a bit unfair, Virgin sell themselves on customers being able to pre book seats ( they don't mention 'request' [ii]) most people, dibbers especially , will have asked for those seats up to 11 months in advance, then all of a sudden the seats vanish from their booking with no warning - I would have been livid if it had happened to me back in April. Those people should have been given the option of paying before losing their seats.
How long would it have taken to send out a blanket email to the effect that seats were being buggered about with?

I was on V-ros and rows 61 back also had extra knee room, how come they aren't in the new category , only the config 2 planes?
Are all rows after 61 on all MCO planes now going to be blocked for check in only?

[Neil]

That's a bit unfair, Virgin sell themselves on customers being able to pre book seats ( they don't mention 'request' ) most people, dibbers especially , will have asked for those seats up to 11 months in advance, then all of a sudden the seats vanish from their booking with no warning - I would have been livid if it had happened to me back in April. Those people should have been given the option of paying before losing their seats.
How long would it have taken to send out a blanket email to the effect that seats were being buggered about with?

Hmmmm - I'm not sure how this from the VS site:

Please note that seat numbers are never guaranteed and are subject to operational changes.

can be confusing for some some people. It is a free request only, not a guarantee.

As regards to sending an email out. As mentioned MANY times before, how do VS contact customers booked through VH and other 3rd party travel agents or those people who haven't provided an email address.