Pre-booked seat allocation released at T-13

Hello,

As travel agents, we have now been told what most of you already knew:

Changes to Pre assigned seat process prior to departure ex London Heathrow only
Effective immediately, pre assigned seats in the Economy cabin will be released back into the seat map 13 hours prior to departure on all London Heathrow departing flights.
This means that passengers with pre assigned seats, who have not checked in 13 hours prior to departure will lose their pre assigned seat.
When pre assigning seats for passengers at the time of booking, it is essential that all passengers are advised that their seats are not guaranteed and that they should check in online 24 hours prior to departure to secure their seat numbers. Please note seats remain subject to any operational aircraft changes.
In the event that a passenger checks in online less than 13 hours prior to departure, and finds that their seats have been released, please advise them to select suitable seats that are available at the Online Check In stage.
Passengers that have been unable to use Online Check In will have seats allocated when they arrive at the airport.
Exceptions
The following passenger types will not have their seats released:
Upper Class passengers
Premium Economy
Passengers on the US watch list (and are prevented from checking in online).
Group bookings of 10 or more passengers that has been made directly with Virgin Atlantic’s Groups Department
Passengers with the following SSRs in their booking:
UMNR
WCHR/WCHS/WCHC
BSCT

[Neil]

Like you say, pretty much what we already knew anyway, apart from the bit about UC & PE pax not having their allocations removed. Interesting and a good thing to know.

Thanks,
Neil

[mitchja]

UC & PE pax not having their allocations removed.

Doesn't stop VS changing your seat allocation though in any cabin (even once you have checked in online) as this has happened to me now on my last 4 or 5 VS PE flights.

[Neil]

UC & PE pax not having their allocations removed.

Doesn't stop VS changing your seat allocation though in any cabin (even once you have checked in online) as this has happened to me now on my last 4 or 5 VS PE flights.

Wow, that is bad luck. I must say, we have never had our seat allocations changed either before or after OLCI (touch wood!). Do they ever offer an explanation as to why?

UC & PE pax not having their allocations removed.

Doesn't stop VS changing your seat allocation though in any cabin (even once you have checked in online) as this has happened to me now on my last 4 or 5 VS PE flights.

Is it particular seats rows/numbers that they are targeting?
Or is it just you? ):

Interesting, however I know that PE and UC allocations can be moved for top tier fliers.

BTW, what do these codes mean:

UMNR
WCHR/WCHS/WCHC
BSCT

UMNR: unaccompanied minor
WCHR/WCHS/WCHC: wheelchair
BSCT: ?

Basinett? (? sp)

Basinett? (? sp)

Correct an infant bassinet

WCHR - Wheelchair passenger that can manage steps
WCHS - Wheelchair passenger that cannot manage steps
WCHC - Wheelchair passenger that needs to be lifted on/off the aircraft

Effective immediately, pre assigned seats in the Economy cabin will be released back into the seat map 13 hours prior to departure on all London Heathrow departing flights.

so does this mean that i got a crappy seat originally, i should try checking-in 12 hrs 59 minutes before the flight - i may get a better selection and steal someone else's seat?

[honey lamb]

Effective immediately, pre assigned seats in the Economy cabin will be released back into the seat map 13 hours prior to departure on all London Heathrow departing flights.

so does this mean that i got a crappy seat originally, i should try checking-in 12 hrs 59 minutes before the flight - i may get a better selection and steal someone else's seat?

You should look when OLCI opens first of all as most of the 40% of seats (apart from exit and bulkhead rows) held back will be released then. If you do not get a better seat then and are flying from LHR in economy then, yes, do that

WCHR - Wheelchair passenger that can manage steps
WCHS - Wheelchair passenger that cannot manage steps
WCHC - Wheelchair passenger that needs to be lifted on/off the aircraft

Thank you Tinks, our font of all knowledge!

You should look when OLCI opens first of all as most of the 40% of seats (apart from exit and bulkhead rows) held back will be released then. If you do not get a better seat then and are flying from LHR in economy then, yes, do that

thanks - will try this my next flight is not from LHR so this is very useful information for me y)