bumped off of pre booked seats ;(

Hi, bit of a rant and bit of a question really...

Myself and husband with 2 small boys are flying tomorrow on the VS027, pre booked seats 60 JK and 61 JH (think that was right - 2 sets behind each other at the back, with 2 window seats) had to phone up to do this as all 4 of us would not be sitting in a row of 4, but explained that i have 2 nervous little boys and the very nice woman on end of phone said it would be ok... all going fine, everything was correct online till i went to do OLCI this morning, when i find i've been bumped to row 23 having seats all together int he middle of the plane. i'm miffed to say the least!
I'm concerned that with 2 small boys who are nervous and one of whom has an issue with being in close confinement can anything be done??

Thanks
Vikkicat

[Neil]

Firstly - you must remember it is only a request not a confirmed booking of seats. It does say the VS can change your seats if they need to.

All you can really do now is ask at the airport to see if they can help. It is likely that someone else will end up being in those seats, so there might not be much the airport team can do for you.

For me, you have actually got better seats. You are in the little private cabin at the front of the a/c, so it feels less cramped IMO. Also, you will get to be first off the plane before any other pax, as they let those pax off first, so you are in front of 400 other pax in the queue for immigration, which could easily save you over an hour of queuing.

Thanks,
Neil

I'd say you have a better set of seats on row 23:

1. You have nobody to the left of you.
2. You're in a less crowded cabin with exit door space just behind you to the left and right. You can catch a quick glimpse of it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWqFrwl7 ... age#t=179s
3. It will be slightly quieter and less affected by turbulence as it is towards the front of the aircraft.
4. You are more likely to get your choice of meals.

Why did you not want to sit in a row of 4?

I'd say you have a better set of seats on row 23:

1. You have nobody to the left of you.
2. You're in a less crowded cabin with exit door space just behind you to the left and right. You can catch a quick glimpse of it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWqFrwl7 ... age#t=179s
3. It will be slightly quieter and less affected by turbulence as it is towards the front of the aircraft.
4. You are more likely to get your choice of meals.

Why did you not want to sit in a row of 4?

I agree i like the little cabin at the front of the LGW fleet.

as a slight correction half of the LGW/MAN fleet have an office on the left of row 23 and the other half don't and so have seats there (i think the ODYSSEY fleet have more seats??)

The same thing happened to my family 4 years ago we had checked in and got 21 ABC and 22C and ended up getting to the gate and being moved across to 21 DEFG.

The Smaller cabin gives a private jet feel and you will be the first 3 rows of Economy to get your meals.

If your children are nervous these seats still give a view out of the window for take off and landing as the blinds must remain open. your seat back entertainment system should distract them for a bit and during the flight you are sat in a good place to take them for a walk to look out of the door behind or up the top of the stairs behind you as a distraction.

you can try asking at the airport to see if you can be moved to a window but if your flight is full they might not be able to do this for you.

Expert Flyer is showing that tomorrow's VS027 has still got quite a few empty seats so it is worth asking at the airport to be moved.

load is: J9 D9 R9 Z9 W9 S9 K9 Y9 B9 L9 M9 Q9 X9 N7 O5

[Neil]

as a slight correction half of the LGW/MAN fleet have an office on the left of row 23 and the other half don't and so have seats there (i think the ODYSSEY fleet have more seats??)

Yes - the LGW a/c with 4 full rows on Y in the small front cabin have the Odyseey IFE.

thanks so much everyone for the quick replies.
think i just got a bit wound up before, i know they are not confirmed seats, just what i've asked for. and i did not realise it's a seperate little cabin area!
fingers crossed the boys will be ok if there is a bit of space for them to walk about in.
Also are they allowed to go upstairs for a nosey?
thanks again
Vikkicat

[Neil]

You can go to the top of the stairs and have a quick look, but there really isn't anywhere to go up there apart from a 5 second walk down and back again.

There is quite a bit of space in the small cabin and there is the door and small galley type area just behind it also.

Agree with previous comments about the mini-cabin, it's way better to be there than the back of the bus. it's quite a good spot for space overall, if you go to the back of that section, there's some room by the stairwell - I spent most of my time stood there on a recent flight to St Lucia, with the benefit of the galley being there as well, so plenty of top ups of white wine!

As for going upstairs, it's only PE there on the LGW fleet (UC and the bar will be in front of you) - on my flight, the CC were fine with letting a few kids have a quick peek up there, but nothing really exciting to see. My 5 year old spent quite a lot of time sitting on the steps - which I'm sure is a flagrant H&S breach, but again, passed without comment.

Have a good flight.

RC

Defo worth asking at the airport. We had an issue some years back, we were flying with our kids at a time when there was still a smoking section on the flight (shows you how long ago!) We don't smoke and had booked non-smoking seats, only to get to the airport and find our seats were in smoking. We were not happy, but check-in staff said they were unable to help - so went went to the ticketing desk - you know, where you can buy tickets (not sure if this is still there?) Explained the situation and they managed to move all 5 of us, which was a huge relief.... so yeah, if you feel strongly, it has to be worth asking.

On the other hand, as good folks here have mentioned, maybe the seats now given to you will work out better for you and your little ones? Hope so....

Hi, well got to gatwick this morning, went to bag drop off and wasn't going to say anything about the seats as I'd taken everyones advice and decided row 23 were good seats.... Only to find out we'd been moved again! To row 62 d e f and g.... Explained my youngest gets claustrophobia and asked if there was any way of having seats with a bit more space associated (even if it meant paying for more leg room or even an upgrade!) and was asked if we wanted to sit up in the bubble! Two sets of two- so both kids get a window! Result in my eyes!!
Thanks everyone for advice- fingers crossed for a good flight now. I'll post a tr once I'm in Orlando
Vikkicat

[honey lamb]

Hi, well got to gatwick this morning, went to bag drop off and wasn't going to say anything about the seats as I'd taken everyones advice and decided row 23 were good seats.... Only to find out we'd been moved again! To row 62 d e f and g.... Explained my youngest gets claustrophobia and asked if there was any way of having seats with a bit more space associated (even if it meant paying for more leg room or even an upgrade!) and was asked if we wanted to sit up in the bubble! Two sets of two- so both kids get a window! Result in my eyes!!
Thanks everyone for advice- fingers crossed for a good flight now. I'll post a tr once I'm in Orlando
Vikkicat

Excellent result y)

[Neil]

Now that is a good result.

Excellent result!! Rare with VS but lovely to see, have a great flight!