Seat Allocation

Long time lurker and have a challenge I am hoping someone can help.

Bascilly flying MIA to LHR on 9th Apr but Virgin have just changed flight times and aircraft type(which is a big pain) and also our allocated seats which had originally been pretty good.

I know this happens but the seats we have been given are worst possible in PE and there are no others available. Also understand that only 60% of seats are allocated in advance.

My question is what is the best approach from experience to get a better seat allocation in advance of the flight? Have rang Flying Club and they basically re-stated the above and have put a note on our booking but my better half is not happy is going to worry for our entire holiday if I dont get this resoved!!

Thanks in advance.

Steve.

[Neil]

Welcome!

So, firstly make sure you do OLCI as close to the T-24 mark that you can. Hopefully some of the 40% of extra seats not available for pre-selection should become available and you can select a better one.

If that doesn't work, then get to the airport early and ask. And if that doesn't work, then there are always exit rows/extra leg room seats which are only allocated at the airport.

Hopefully you will get sorted
Thanks,
Neil

Welcome to V-flyer.

Looks like its changed from a 747 to a 346. EF says its a 747 but shows the seat map for a 346. VS site says a 346.

The flight looks rammed in PE and Economy, and there are no PE fares for sale.
J9 D9 R9 Z0 W0 S0 K0 Y0 B0 L0 M0 Q0 X0 N0 O0

The EF seat map shows just two seats without advanced assignments, so you will be chasing row 18 which is only available for check in at the airport. Of course, things may have changed by the time OLCI opens as some people with flexible fares may pull out, so it's still worth trying then.

But otherwise as Neil says get to the airport early and ask for row 18. There is not usually a charge for these seats on the 346's.

Regards
R3dV

Thanks for the quick response will definately attempt to check in at 24hr point. Have been pretty lucky in the past re: exit row in PE so fingers crossed.

If that fails will try to upgrade to UC at check-in with points but dont fancy my chances - was hoping to use them for long weekend to NYC anyway

Thanks again.

Steve.

[Neil]

What seats have you been allocated? Pretty much every seat on the A346 in PE is good, with the exception of row 23 D/F/G which aren't, due to the fact the are right opposite the toilets.

If that fails will try to upgrade to UC at check-in with points but dont fancy my chances - was hoping to use them for long weekend to NYC anyway
Steve.

Hi Steve,

Not sure what fare code your PE ticket is, if it's a K then you are technically not supposed to be able to. But on the day all bets are off and there is a high probabability they might need to even do some operational upgrades on this flight because it is so busy in PE and Economy. If you let them know you would be prepared to upgrade with miles (you'd need 2 x 20,000 for a one way upgrade) I would say you have a good chance, unless of course upper sells out too in the interim.

Feeling like a parrot again, I agree with Neil, there are very few bad seats in PE on the 346. So even if you end up there, and assuming you are sat together, there is not much to worry about - not to the extent it should ruin a holiday.

Regards
R3dV

What seats have you been allocated? Pretty much every seat on the A346 in PE is good, with the exception of row 23 D/F/G which aren't, due to the fact the are right opposite the toilets.

Guess what we have been allocated 23 D and F - boooooo!!
Hence my original concern, being honest doesnt really bother me that much but would prefer to keep Mrs W happy

Hi Steve,
Not sure what fare code your PE ticket is, if it's a K then you are technically not supposed to be able to. But on the day all bets are off and there is a high probabability they might need to even do some operational upgrades on this flight because it is so busy in PE and Economy. If you let them know you would be prepared to upgrade with miles (you'd need 2 x 20,000 for a one way upgrade) I would say you have a good chance, unless of course upper sells out too in the interim.

Feeling like a parrot again, I agree with Neil, there are very few bad seats in PE on the 346. So even if you end up there, and assuming you are sat together, there is not much to worry about - not to the extent it should ruin a holiday.

Regards
R3dV

Thanks R2dV agree it wont ruin my holiday but my wife is a born worrier!

UC option is a go'er from a points perspective, so with a bit of luck there will be some availability and they will let me upgrade as we are indeed on K's.

Steve.

[honey lamb]

Also look at the seat map a couple of hours before OLCI opens. You may find more seats have become available then

If you have no luck at OLCI offer them whatever you can at check in to move to UC Woody. With a rammed PE and Y who knows (anything can happen at the airport)? I know it's not what you'll want to hear but IMHO there are a few duff PE seats, namely 23 D/F/G (with 23 F being the most horrid of them all).
Good luck.
DL

If you have no luck at OLCI offer them whatever you can at check in to move to UC Woody. With a rammed PE and Y who knows (anything can happen at the airport)? I know it's not what you'll want to hear but IMHO there are a few duff PE seats, namely 23 D/F/G (with 23 F being the most horrid of them all).
Good luck.
DL

Will definately be trying for an upgrade to UC.

What is everyones experience of success with a points upgrade from a K!

Steve.

[Neil]

What is everyone's experience of success with a points upgrade from a K!

On a normal day, it would require there to be seats they are willing to sell with miles and then you to upgrade to the correct fare code first, so prepare for a no.

But, as DL has said, if they flight it full in Y & PE and they might *need* to move people anyway, an offer of some miles alone might just be accepted.

It really does vary and as we say on here very "at the airport, anything can happen". It's certainly worth a try!

If you have no luck at OLCI offer them whatever you can at check in to move to UC Woody. With a rammed PE and Y who knows (anything can happen at the airport)? I know it's not what you'll want to hear but IMHO there are a few duff PE seats, namely 23 D/F/G (with 23 F being the most horrid of them all).
Good luck.
DL

I got stuck in 23F once on a last minute booking to NYC and no space in Upper either - at two thousand pounds it was the worst ever use of money on VS, an utterly miserable experience that should bring shame to those who planned PE in that way.

Not only would putting the two loos in the middle mean that misery wouldn't exist, but I think VS would get four seats (two either side) instead of three to sell.

My advise. Upgrade. EF is currently showing loads of space in Upper - even if the Web site isn't showing G availability, you could try calling and asking them to release some in advance?

My advise. Upgrade. EF is currently showing loads of space in Upper - even if the Web site isn't showing G availability, you could try calling and asking them to release some in advance?

How about ringing FC to see what a one way upgrade fro K to S would cost and to ascertain the likihood of a couple of Gs being released (if there aren't any currently available)? The cost to move to an S may not be too prohibitive but this will go up as time goes on. The fear of 23F would be too much for me I'm afraid....
Keep us posted .
DL

Steve, I'll be on that flight and I too noticed the flight time change. I haven't been allocated my tickets yet, but knew I'd be going out on a 346. I thought the itinerary change was because it was going back to the 744 for summer season, but it seems not. I prefer the 744. Oh well. Anyway, I hope you get it resolved. FWIW if I was able to do the upgrade from K ahead of time by speaking to a nice person at Flying Club that's what I'd try for.

Phil

the time change may be due to the clocks going forward at end of March

Steve, I'll be on that flight and I too noticed the flight time change. I haven't been allocated my tickets yet, but knew I'd be going out on a 346. I thought the itinerary change was because it was going back to the 744 for summer season, but it seems not. I prefer the 744. Oh well. Anyway, I hope you get it resolved. FWIW if I was able to do the upgrade from K ahead of time by speaking to a nice person at Flying Club that's what I'd try for.

Phil

Well it looks like we are back on a 744!!
Which good news becuase it means we are no longer stuck at the back of PE

Checking everyday has definately paid off so thanks for the previous advice given. I now have a very happy Mrs W.

Fingers crossed VA dont change the aircraft again!!

Steve.

Steve, I'll be on that flight and I too noticed the flight time change. I haven't been allocated my tickets yet, but knew I'd be going out on a 346. I thought the itinerary change was because it was going back to the 744 for summer season, but it seems not. I prefer the 744. Oh well. Anyway, I hope you get it resolved. FWIW if I was able to do the upgrade from K ahead of time by speaking to a nice person at Flying Club that's what I'd try for.

Phil

Well it looks like we are back on a 744!!
Which good news becuase it means we are no longer stuck at the back of PE

Good. I like the 744. Glad it means you have a better seat. Still waiting for my flight tickets to be issued and then all will become clear I'm sure!

Have a great trip.

Phil

Sorry to dig out an old post but thought I would complete the story!

All that initial worry was obviously worth it......when we got to the airport bag drop off (we had already completed OLCI) we were offered a very good price to upgrade to UC

Having never experienced UC we bit their hands off and I have to admit I was blown away by the service we received. Escorted through fast track security and then into the Club House. Once inside received very attentive service and was again blown away once on board aircraft.

All in all an excellent trip, unfortunately not offered the same rate back from MIA so had to 'make do' with PE. Again an excellent experience and managed to sleep most of the flight anyway!!!

Please share a TR!

we were offered a very good price to upgrade to UC

Hi Woody - glad it turned out well in the end.

Can you share with us how many ££s their very good offer was. Its always useful to know what is possible when negotiating at the airport. I'm assuming this was from your K class tickets.

Thanks

Martin