Online check-in

Apologies if this is a stupid question or has been asked before. I did a search and couldn't find the answer.

When it comes to online check-in do you need to do it as early as possible as soon as it opens?

I need to check in tomorrow and as I have work first thing (6ish) and worried I might miss out on my first seat choice unless I do it early. I have selected my seat and didn't know if that was honoured or not.

G

Hello Miss G,

I've always completed online check-in as soon as it opens, but that's mainly due to the fact i'm so excited I can't wait!

If you have pre-selected your seats online already using "my booking", then these will be held for you whilst online checkin opens (24-2 hours before departure). As long as you check in before the 2 hours is up, you will be fine.

Just a small side note, no seat choices are guaranteed and even if you have checked in online, operationally there can still be changes - however, I have always found that once i've checked in online I get the seats I want.

Finally - did you know you can check in using your mobile now? You have the option to have your boarding pass emailed to you and you can print at a later date? I find this great!

Mobile checkin details here:

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/frequentflyer/offersandnews/latestnews/mobilecheckin.jsp

Have a great trip,

Luke

Hi there Luke,

Thanks, much appreciated! I can sympathise with the being excited. I think that's why I'm worrying about these minor issues!

Didn't know about the mobile thing, but I think I'll just stick to using a computer. I can't quite get to grips with my HTC desire as it is, without adding more complications!

G

Hi there Luke,

Thanks, much appreciated! I can sympathise with the being excited. I think that's why I'm worrying about these minor issues!

Didn't know about the mobile thing, but I think I'll just stick to using a computer. I can't quite get to grips with my HTC desire as it is, without adding more complications!

G

You're very welcome, where are you off to?

The mobile thing is just a link to a webpage with some links, really easy to follow and worth a try. I managed to do it whilst in Florida last year, checked in for my flight home whilst sitting by the pool, best experience ever!

Have a safe trip!

Luke

If you have pre-selected your seats online already using "my booking", then these will be held for you whilst online checkin opens (24-2 hours before departure). As long as you check in before the 2 hours is up, you will be fine.

I could be wrong and am certainly not a guru but I believe if you flying out of LHR you need to complete OLCI quite a bit earlier to ensure you have your pre-booked seats.

Quote from VS site below
"Where you have pre-assigned a seat online, check in needs to be completed no later than 2 hours before departure time to enable us to honour this request. The exception are flights out of London Heathrow, when check in must be completed 13 hours prior to departure to retain pre-assigned seats."

Yes LHR needs to be done 13 hours before.

Though I think only for PE and Econ as UC seat requests are kept until you check in. But this might have changed as I no longer see this on Virgin website.

Edit: yes looks like J has joined Y and W, in needing to be checked in 13 hours before check in for flights to and from LHR, to keep seat request.