One of those 'where should I sit?' questions

Hi all!

I did check and I couldn't find another version of this question so here goes...

I'm booked in PE to fly to/from LHR and LAX in July and being 6' tall I'm just wondering whether I should run the screaming child gauntlet and try to get exit row seats or if the standard legroom will be sufficient.

For completedness - flying out on VS007 on 16 July on a 744 and have 31H requested. Flying back on VS024 on 29 July on a 346 and have 22C requested.

Thanks in advance

Well the A346 has no exit rows in PE.

Row 18 is a bulkhead row with extra legroom but these can only be allocated at check in. If you are tall then it is definitely worth getting to the airport early to try and get one of these seats.

On the 744 the only PE exit row is 28AC with 29HK being bulkhead seats as there is a wardrobe situated between that row and the door.

Row 18 in PE on the A346 are excellent seats, but you need to be at check in when it opens to give yourself the best chance of getting them released.

Also, you need to be prepared to not take no for an answer if the agent tells you they aren't available. For example, I've been told that 18AC/18HK are baby bassinet locations, when they aren't. (The block of 3 in the middle is.)

For example, I've been told that 18AC/18HK are baby bassinet locations, when they aren't. (The block of 3 in the middle is.)

Sorry but you are wrong.

18AC and 18HK are bassinet locations.

There are no bassinet positions at 18 DFG.

For example, I've been told that 18AC/18HK are baby bassinet locations, when they aren't. (The block of 3 in the middle is.)

I was told that again last week checking in for VS4. I did have a look onboard and there seems to be a couple of metal pins on the bulhead in front of 18A/C where a bassinet could be attached. In fact as I write this I recall a couple who were on the same VS + ANZ flight with me to AKL last year and they had 18A/C on the VS portion to Shanghai with a bassinet.

Still, your advice is spot on Clarkey - get there early.

Tink - just to clarify this a little.

I queried the response I was given about 18AC being a baby location because I wasn't sure that the check in agent was correct. The JFK check-in supervisor told his colleague that the 3 seats in the middle were baby locations, not the 2's on the outside, and the agent should allocate us 18AC. Hence I thought I was right.

As you're VS crew you've obviously far more familiar with the aircraft than I am, so I'll assume the JFK check-in chap was wrong! ?|

Tink - just to clarify this a little.

I queried the response I was given about 18AC being a baby location because I wasn't sure that the check in agent was correct. The JFK check-in supervisor told his colleague that the 3 seats in the middle were baby locations, not the 2's on the outside, and the agent should allocate us 18AC. Hence I thought I was right.

As you're VS crew you've obviously far more familiar with the aircraft than I am, so I'll assume the JFK check-in chap was wrong! ?|

JFK were very, very wrong. Sadly a lot of the outsourced ground staff have never seen onboard one of our aircraft so do give out a lot of wrong information.

I fly on the 346 an awful lot hence I know the cabin like the back of my hand.

Even though this photo shows the old seats in the PE cabin, you can see the bassinet fittings on the bulkheads at the AC and HK seats.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Virgin-A ... e9bad56413

The same fittings with the new seats:

http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6606714&nseq=4

And another photo where you can just about see th bassinets fitted to the bulkhead:

http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6151312&nseq=13


|:)

I fly on the 346 an awful lot hence I know the cabin like the back of my hand.

So Tinks, what is your best advice for getting 18A or C. Many of the flights I've been on don't have the bassinet set up, but I'm sure they hold them back at check-in in case they need it. Presumably if no baby turns up, some lucky soul checking in at T -61 mins gets given it?

Any thoughts?

Cheers

Martin

Turn up early, ask at check in, ask in the Clubhouse and then check again at the gate.

Tinkerbelle 1 JFK Ground Staff 0

Tinkerbelle 1 JFK Ground Staff 0

Tinkerbelle 1 JFK Ground Staff 0

NO ONE messes with Tinks !

Bear in mind that on the 340 the window seats and the middle seats in PE have a huge box of tricks under the seat in front so there is very limited leg room.
Isle seats have nothing allowing you to stretch your legs.

Wow thanks for all the replies!

I'm always super-organised so I'll be at check-in on the dot, probably a while before the dot TBH.

Unfortunately no clubhouse for me... unless I can bribe the person on the door

Wow thanks for all the replies!

I'm always super-organised so I'll be at check-in on the dot, probably a while before the dot TBH.

Unfortunately no clubhouse for me... unless I can bribe the person on the door

Post your itinerary in the relevant section - you never know, one of your new mates on here may "guest" you.

Hi there bit late to this and I can see you have already had loads of responses that have probably totally answered your question but thought I'd add my 2cents worth aswell

I'm also 6' tall and have a disability which means that I walk with crutches and can't bend my left leg effectively and I've found that even in economy the first set of 2 seats near the back (61H & K I think sorry not very good on layout) are absolutely fine for legroom. Hubby & I were upgraded to PE on our honeymoon in November and I was given 19F and that was also fab.

xx

I avoid row 19 on the A340-600 because it's missing a window.

I avoid row 19 on the A340-600 because it's missing a window.

I honestly can't say I noticed ?| I really should pay more attention Lol

xx

Again it's a photo showing the old PE seats but you can clearly see row 19 without a window.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555885@N02/3052778815/

OK so I avoid row 19, avoid that front row in the middle 3...

I think I'll have to take a list with me to check-in lol.

Again it's a photo showing the old PE seats but you can clearly see row 19 without a window.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555885@N02/3052778815/

I must have got my seat number wrong then cos we definately weren't in the middle we were on the right hand side of the plane. anyway we definately had plenty of legroom so sorry to have confused the issue ?|

xx

Again it's a photo showing the old PE seats but you can clearly see row 19 without a window.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30555885@N02/3052778815/

I must have got my seat number wrong then cos we definately weren't in the middle we were on the right hand side of the plane. anyway we definately had plenty of legroom so sorry to have confused the issue ?|

xx

Row 19 mentioned in that picture is the second row of blue seats, not the middle red ones, you can see there is no window

Thanks hun, that definately makes more sense but I certainly didn't notice the lack of window at the time, but in my defence it was the day after I got married so was probably too busy gazing lovingly at my new hubby Lol

xx