Paying for seat allocation in economy

Apologies if this has been asked before - I did do a search but I couldn't find anything.

I've booked a last minute break before Christmas in economy (PE was 4k for 2 people!!!), and this is the first time I've flown with Virgin since they brought in the whole paying for seat allocation thing.

My question is, should I wait until check in when it becomes free to choose and probably end up further down the back than I would like - or is it worth paying the £50 to sit in my seat choice. OR, is it likely that if I'm quick off the mark I will get the seats I want anyway?

Has anyone had any experience with this? Any help gratefully received.

really depends how much you care about where you sit

but if you're quick off the mark when OLCI opens you'll probably have reasonable choice

which flights/dates? may be able to check current seat allocation

Like most things I would guess that customers will be put off by the £50pp booking fee to select a seat that is not guaranteed.

Will this push more people to look at OLCI and really go for the fabled SEQ1 - who knows. I guess too early to tell really.

Im flying in June and the upgrade is at a shocking price, so I have added 'seat plus' which means that I cannot select my seat now. However, this was only £75 per flight vs. the £50pp for the choice to select the seat. Perhaps look at this?

sungod, you can view the seat map, it's about half full right at the back, but I've got a mind towards immigration at Orlando…

Thanks Daniel, I'll have a look into that.

[mitchja]

What are loads like on your flights?

Florida flights are usually very busy over the Christmas / New Year period both ways, so I'd be tempted to pay and select seats now.

About half full, that's why I'm umming and ahhing. I fly next weekend, so I'm thinking maybe it won't fill up in that time, then I think, ooh what if there's a run of sales….

Like most things I would guess that customers will be put off by the £50pp booking fee to select a seat that is not guaranteed.

Im flying in June and the upgrade is at a shocking price, so I have added 'seat plus' which means that I cannot select my seat now. However, this was only £75 per flight vs. the £50pp for the choice to select the seat. Perhaps look at this?

Not to highhjack to OP's thread, but Daniel could you tell me please, as you are allocated a 'seat plus' couple of seats at check-in, if there are two of you on the booking are you seated together where ever that allocation is??

Not to highhjack to OP's thread, but Daniel could you tell me please, as you are allocated a 'seat plus' couple of seats at check-in, if there are two of you on the booking are you seated together where ever that allocation is??

Yes, I am flying with Mrs Armstrong - so the seat plus will be in the middle of us at a guess so we can both relax a bit more...

Having called VS they have told me the following;

Seat Allocation will be done on the day by check in staff
We will be seated Together
They wont put us in a seat that cannot have the armrests moved
The Seat Plus is Guaranteed

However, the caveat is that they can cancel this for a plethora of reasons (medical, working condition of seats) etc -however my thoughts are that if the flight is full this will be removed. I will then get a refund on the day - or if we upgrade the cost will be taken from this.

Back to the OP - if you do book this you cant even look at the seat map for the flight, which sucks..!