Restrictions to Seat Reservations on flights from 01 Nov

Just saw this on the latest news on the VS site

We are making some improvements to our seat assignment process. In order to minimise the impact of these changes on our passengers, we need to restrict the number of seats allocated within the system, throughout the period of development. From 9th January 2012 we will only be able to offer advanced seat selection for flights departing before 01 November 2012. This policy applies in every cabin. ...

What can this mean? ?| ?|


(edited to fix url and quote)and refix url!

I just saw this too.

I don't really understand it -- they are restricting seat allocation during the period of development, so from Monday you will not be able to book seats on flights after 1/11/12. Huh? That is not a restriction -- that is simply making it totally unavailable after a given date! Or does it imply that from Monday fewer seats will be available for request on flights? But then why nothing from November?

From reading this, my understanding is that from Monday, for any flights departing after 1st November you won't be able to select your seats in MMB. You will have to wait until OLCI at T-24.

This is similar to the current restriction applied to PE seat reservations during the refit.

I wonder what VS are up to? Perhaps all the complaints regarding seat "requests" being lost has caused them to review the system?

Alternatively, perhaps a new reservations/management system is being implemented with the final stages of the revamped website?

[Neil]

The good news is it sounds like only a temporary change an not a move to the BA way. I'm guessing a new system is being implemented and they know it will cause the loss of existing reservations, so are stopping it in advance to save all the complaints about it.

PS Tonty, link still not working ... but it goes on to say "We will add any updates on progress to our website and when the system changes have been completed, we will once again open up seat assignment to 336 days before each flight."

Sounds to me like a smokescreen, if it was an IT or booking system issue, the change would take place over 24hrs or so, why the indefinite notice indicates to me something fishy.

New suite arrival (and consequent knock on effect)????
DL

New suite arrival (and consequent knock on effect)????
DL

But November??? It was supposed to come in 2011 with the 787s and then the A333s, then delayed, but by that much?

Well I say!

New suite arrival (and consequent knock on effect)????
DL

But November??? It was supposed to come in 2011 with the 787s and then the A333s, then delayed, but by that much?

Well I say!

Remember the chaos caused by the UCS being introduced (I do !!!) ? I think this would just make managing bookings much easier for VS. Of courde I am probably completely wrong. .
DL
Ps what happened to the 787s ?| ...? Scrapped for good?

[buns]

Tonty

Just picked it up too

The fact that the missive states "all classes" prior to 1 November would seem to suggest this is an IT upgrade (and we know this is well overdue) rather than refit related.

That said how does this announcement square with the "bid for an upgrade" initiative??

buns

PS Tonty, link still not working

Sorted the link - mised the last little bit off! sorry for inconvenience !

Is this another example that Virgin's IT department is totally unfit for purpose (remember the PE seat allocation fiasco?) or something more sinister at hand (following BA's process)? I think their statement on the website must have been written by a 4 year old. It gives no indication if you will be able to use MMB before 1/11, ie. the "development" is completed, or whether this is a hard and fast date. Ambiguous at best, idiotic at worst. I don't know why I bother with this airline sometimes.

Hi,

Just booked up flights to Barbados in Dec, gone to manage my flights and pre-book my seats as normal only to find that this is no longer possible for flights after Nov 1 this year due to 'System' changes.

Seems I can only book my seats when on-line check-in opens 24 hours before the flight.

Anyone know the reason for this ? Is it due to PE upgrades taking place or something ?

Finally, for anyone in the know, is there a likelihood that this could become available again later in the year ? (Just keen to ensure that I don't leave it only to find it's re-opened and I'm left in the middle seats downstairs, which for me are not PE seats, as I don't pay to sit next to someone else, other than my wife!).

Cheers,
Andy

Lots of info here

But essentially is is not related to the PE refits which are due to finish by the end of October but due to VS website changes.

[Neil]

Threads merged to keep all discussions in one place.

It may also mean, that what ever they are doing, is planned to launch from 1st November? At least, you could imply that from the text...

Lots of info here

But essentially is is not related to the PE refits which are due to finish by the end of October but due to VS website changes.

When I booked my flights last week, I was actually told by VS that the refits would be completed by the end of May and I would then be able to request my seats!!!! Like I am going to believe that fairy story

thelaceys

Because they couldn't manage a p*** up in a brewery is one possible answer. The Virgin website should be an embarrassment to the bearded one. Two things immediately spring to mind about the website for me:

- Logging in and going to MMB does not associate my booked flights with my logon uid/pwd

- In the time it takes Virgin to return flights, Expedia will have returned to me hotels, cars, flights and other sorts of guff besides

It honestly is becoming an absolute joke - tonight is the fourth evening running I've tried to use the 'spend miles' option (so as to locate flights with reward availability) under Find a Flight on the main home page only to have this thrown up:

We have been unable to process your request.

You can either return to the homepage and we'll keep your search details so you don't have to fill them in again, or contact Reservations.
If you would prefer to speak to one of our agents please use the "Call me" function below.

Please note: This service is available between 0700 and 0100 hrs 7 days a week.

Incredible, how can they let such basic functionality go unfixed in days!

It honestly is becoming an absolute joke - tonight is the fourth evening running I've tried to use the 'spend miles' option (so as to locate flights with reward availability) under Find a Flight on the main home page only to have this thrown up:

We have been unable to process your request.

You can either return to the homepage and we'll keep your search details so you don't have to fill them in again, or contact Reservations.
If you would prefer to speak to one of our agents please use the "Call me" function below.

Please note: This service is available between 0700 and 0100 hrs 7 days a week.

Incredible, how can they let such basic functionality go unfixed in days!

I had that earlier. Used the Book Flights option on the list on home page instead and it worked ok

One things for sure - if its going to be 'New and Improved' after November, sure as hell its going to be new and improved for THEM and not US !

I've just tried to pre book seats, outbound flight is 17th Nov in economy there were seats available in red but whatever combo I tried I kept getting a message saying unavailable.

We're in PE on the return and there is no option at all to pre book.

Yes. It's total b******s from Virgin.

I called via flying club and they tried to do it and were getting the same message as I was.

They then told me it was because of the refits and don't know what aircraft it'll be 8D

Leanne

Nothing to do with the refits (which should be finished well before the time you travel) but due to the general block on ALL seat requets

as per Restrictions to Seat Reservations on flights from 01 November 2012

Not good that VS told you refits was the reason when it isn't !

Leanne

Nothing to do with the refits (which should be finished well before the time you travel) but due to the general block on ALL seat requets

as per Restrictions to Seat Reservations on flights from 01 November 2012

Not good that VS told you refits was the reason when it isn't !

I know, I felt quite fobbed off actually :0 ii)