New advance seat reservation system now LIVE

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

6/23 VS16

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.

I've never heard of anyone being able to request seats early via a "back door" but hey, who knows.

Otherwise, if T-60 is still in operation on April 24th, all you can do is be ready to pounce at 8am and hope no-one beats you to it. There's a good chance you'll be first to select but of course there's always the risk someone else will get there first (probably another V-Flyer as I don't think it's generally well known that selection opens at 8am).

If T-60 does disappear between now and then, you'll have to take your chance in the stampede that'll ensue on the day the new system goes live, as everyone with a booking in the next 11 months tries to choose seats at exactly the same time!

[Darren Wheeler]

New launch date.

November 18th

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/tr ... nment.html

I see they've added options for Silver and Red FC members

So if I am Flying in PE, August 2015 ad have already booked I can go in once the system is live on the 18th and book our seats?

Will that be 8am on 18th do you think?

So if I am Flying in PE, August 2015 ad have already booked I can go in once the system is live on the 18th and book our seats?

That's certainly how I read it.
There is no mention of what time it goes live but as I understand it the 8 am on the current system equates to midnight Pacific time so it seems like a good bet.
I may check earlier though.

Dick D

I'd also love to know when it goes live on the 18th, we have a couple of return journeys to select seats for! Thanks for all the info so far, I'd missed this development!

New launch date.

November 18th

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/tr ... nment.html

Thanks for the heads up...now in the diary.

Have I missed it or does it not tell you what the "fee" will be

David

Thank you for the link Darren. I had completely missed the news. I'm going to be busy on the 18th choosing a few seats for next year's flights! Time to research the best seats now...

Have I missed it or does it not tell you what the "fee" will be

David

"The cost to assign a seat will be from £25 per person per flight (£50 per round trip) on Virgin Atlantic long haul flights, this is with the exception of our Tokyo route which will remain free of charge.

There will be no charge on Virgin Atlantic Little Red UK domestic flights.

Please note: For now you won’t be able to pay to choose your seat using Miles or Miles plus money, but we hope to be able to offer you this soon."

http://virginatlantic.custhelp.com/app/ ... il/a_id/86

ah thanks

(It would have been nice if that had put that on the new press release instead of having to search for it)

David

You're right, David!

But I'm sure VS don't want a silly little thing like, er, the fee amount getting in the way of their nice press release, especially now that they've finally, allegedly, fixed their IT woes on this issue!

Thank you for the link Darren. I had completely missed the news. I'm going to be busy on the 18th choosing a few seats for next year's flights! Time to research the best seats now...

Me too for the VS023 and VS042 - I thought I had until February to research! Thinking 8K & 9K or A .....

Now I'm confused.
Will I be able to choose seats on a G for which I shouldn't have to pay. Or can I not select because I'm on miles?
Only a week and I suppose I'll find out anyway.
And thank you Darren for the link.
Dick D

Now I'm confused.
Will I be able to choose seats on a G for which I shouldn't have to pay. Or can I not select because I'm on miles?
Only a week and I suppose I'll find out anyway.
And thank you Darren for the link.
Dick D

Dick, I read it that it's the actual booking fee (£25) that you can't use miles for, so you'll still be able to select the seats that you've bought with miles.

Hopefully a small amount of people find out about this, until after we have all selected ours

Now I'm confused.
Will I be able to choose seats on a G for which I shouldn't have to pay. Or can I not select because I'm on miles?
Only a week and I suppose I'll find out anyway.
And thank you Darren for the link.
Dick D

Dick, I read it that it's the actual booking fee (£25) that you can't use miles for, so you'll still be able to select the seats that you've bought with miles.

Hopefully a small amount of people find out about this, until after we have all selected ours

That's how I read it too. You cannot use miles or MPM to pay to book seats

Well I wouldn't rush to get up early on the 18th, I will be amazed if they stick to it.

Well I wouldn't rush to get up early on the 18th, I will be amazed if they stick to it.

It would be funny if they didn't pull it off again...

Thankfully I'll be on Dubai time then, and have blocked off my calendar so no one bothers me at the tense time :p

Just received an email from Virgin From the 18th November you can choose your seat 336 days in advance for £25 . Red members can choose for free 72 hours before flying

wow I'd completely missed this, thank you Darren!!

Col: coolies and lastly, this new seat reservation system...goes live on the 18th? Will I be able to use it or cos I booked prior to that date do I still have to wait till 60 days before?
Tom: You will also be able to choose your seats on the 18th November, this will open up all flights on our system. It will remain free of charge because you are travelling in Upper Class.
Col: Excellent, better stick a note in my calendar to make sure I get the seats I want first thing

Just had this online chat with VS!

What's the bet that the website will crash @ 08:01 on November 18th?

Its not that stable or fast at the best of times!

Better late than never!

Am I alone in hoping it does follow VS precedent and crash?

We can't usually book our twice-yearly flights to NY to see family until three months or so beforehand. With the T-60 system we could sit with fingers poised, hoping to get good seats.

If the new system goes against VS IT tradition and sctually works, I'm concerned we'll find most seats already gone.