New advance seat reservation system now LIVE

[Darren Wheeler]

Evening

Any info, factual or rumour, as to the online seat selection becoming available?

Or is this going to drag on and on........

cheers
Scott

Not sure what you mean. Seats are available at T-60.

Yes im aware of this but seat selection was supposed to be available at any time pre departure as of June 23rd this year.

This never happened but ive seen nothing as to any new target date.

cheers

Yeah that blew up in their face and didn't happen if I recall correctly.

booked flights to las yesterday and asked agent the same question.he said that they hope to get the system working before xmas and that customers would get an email advising when this was the case.
not holding my breath.

Which Christmas ?

I regularly check the news section on the Virgin site.
It's had the same of put off for weeks now.
My guess is it will be Dec 21st.
I say that because currently T-60 for my next trip is Dec 22nd so it would chuck a nice spanner in the works if my favourite seats are gone the day before.
Keep checking.
Dick D

I heard it was Dec 32nd - apparently the same date they get an android app out there.

My guess will be once the fleet is down to a smaller selection of planes - so they have flexiblity for aircraft swaps without changing the layout (unlike today where the layouts change a lot). Operationally the seating plan changes may not make sense with a fleet of what 6 different plane types/configs today (787-9, 330-3, 340-6, 747-lgw, 747-lhr, and 340-3).

Thats just an educated, works in operations elsewhere, type thinking.. Isn't the long term goal 2 or 3 plane types - then may make lots more sense.

There is no such thing as an educated guess when it involves Virgin's IT department.

There is no such thing as an educated guess when it involves Virgin's IT department.

Operationally the seating plan changes may not make sense with a fleet of what 6 different plane types/configs today (787-9, 330-3, 340-6, 747-lgw, 747-lhr, and 340-3).

And the A320!

Other operators IT systems seem to cope with much larger fleets.

As Dickie says I'm resigned to it coming into place before my next flight but I wonder if there will be an exemption for those who have already booked.

I regularly check the news section on the Virgin site.
It's had the same of put off for weeks now.

I've also looked at this daily with the hope that it will change, and I can go on and select them before everyone else fights to the death for their seats.

I've emailed (and online chat) them, and they just say that they're not sure, but hopefully before xmas!

Does anyone know the actual specifics of what's due in this change?

[mitchja]

Basically VS are going to start charging passengers for seat pre-assigning in all their economy cabins, though offering free seat assignment at the airport on the day of departure.

Seat requests will remain free in all Premium and Upper cabins and what's left of the Little Red domestic service.

Ok, Thanks James.

For anyone that has any questions, I've just had a quick online chat with a Virgin Atlantic rep, who also doesn't sound very convinced by it, but was more help that previous people have been on the chat system.

below is a copy of the chat:...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daniel : Hello there! I hope you are well today. How may I help you?

Jake: Hi, I know that you pushed back the date of the selecting seats idea, do you have any idea at all of even when it might be ready to use?

Daniel : Of course. Just to check, Jake. You want to know the exact date where you can assign your seats at the moment? The old system at present has been on indefinite put hold. We've reverted back to the 60 day policy.
Daniel : If you have the date you are due to travel, I can find out the exact date you will be able to assign your seats?

Jake: I'm aware of the current date that I'd be able to select using the old 60 day method, but do you have any idea when the new method will be put into action, where pax can select at any time after booking?

Daniel : Ah! My mistake, sorry Jake. We haven't been told a new date at present. We have only been told that it has been put on hold and is unlikely to be implemented within the next coming months. However, we if you would like to keep checking in with us, we'll be happy to keep giving you an update.

Jake: Ok, thanks for this. So basically they have no idea whats going on then. When this does come into action, will pre existing booking be charged to pay for seats? and if so, what about Premium economy & Upper Class?

Daniel : If it did come into place then they will be looking at charging for seats only within the Economy Cabin. Passengers travelling within Premium Economy and Upper Class will not be charged for selecting seats.
Daniel : I remember they were looking at charging a £25.00 seat assignment fee for the seats. However as the system has changed so often this could also change.

I hope this help

Ah, interesting! I'm not too fussed either way as T-60 works for us, but so does selection at the time of booking. With the latter, I just hope we're not travelling if they announce it so we end up losing out. Curious to note that they've been told it's on hold for a while.

[mitchja]

Bottom line is I don't think anyone at VS really knows for sure, as today I'm at T-60days and I was asking VS via Twitter about how to request PE exit row seats (not flown PE on the LHR config 4 747 before) and I got this response after telling them I fly Dec 27th:

If the new seating system arrives by then we may be able to sort those out in advance. It *should* be in place by then :-)

Well James, If you were to go by her response ten, the answer would be "No"

Unless you travel on the 27th December 2015!

My money is still on December 32nd

so newbie question. We're a ways away from out T-60 window, we are booked in UC for the flight out on a 747 LGW config. The thing is we are a family of 5 with 2 smaller children (a 3 and 7 year old at flight time). We really want (hell need so everyone else in UC can have a decent flight), the 5 most forward seats, so the 2 little ones can be in the most forward seats with us behind. If pre selection doesn't happen, any chance VA would take pity on us and at T-61 let us get those seats?
Thanks

In the email newsletter received today

"Choosing your seat - important changes
We're making some changes to our advance seat assignment process.
Find out how you can select your seat"

Unfortunately when clicking on the link you get

"Sorry - we can't find the page you asked for."

Short answer.... No.

As the seating map opens on the day of T-60, that's also when they would be able to do it for you.

Which flight / dates are you travelling?

June 23rd VS 16 (MCO-LGW)
Ironically we were told by VA a few times in chats/ calls to call at T-61 and they would be able to do it for us. I pretty much figured that was bull, but figured I'd ask.

You can take their clear lack of knowledge on the whole system as a benchmark of the sort of confidence you can take from what is said.

^J

so newbie question. We're a ways away from out T-60 window, we are booked in UC for the flight out on a 747 LGW config. The thing is we are a family of 5 with 2 smaller children (a 3 and 7 year old at flight time). We really want (hell need so everyone else in UC can have a decent flight), the 5 most forward seats, so the 2 little ones can be in the most forward seats with us behind. If pre selection doesn't happen, any chance VA would take pity on us and at T-61 let us get those seats?
Thanks

It has been said many times seat selection is a request.
So when I get in early and bag 6A and 6K. I know I have only requested them and if Virgin staff love you more than me I could be moved.
Hypothetically of course since we may not be on the same flight. When are you flying?
Dick D