Passengers in UC without seats?

So we have just returned from a 3 week trip : LHR to CPT and JNB to LHR. Both good trips and more or less event free apart from our JNB to LHR having to return to the gate after it was reported two 'rogue' bags had made it onto the flight and had to be removed. Delay of 45 mins.
So... on both flights there were two passengers who spent the whole time either up front in the galley area somewhere (not visible ) or in the crew seats by the bar/social area ( in clear sight). Given both flights were 11 hrs ish overnight and the crew seats are 90 degrees upright, so must be truly uncomfortable for any period of time over what is necessary for crew on take off and landing, I can't imagine why passengers ( if they aren't off duty crew ) would be travelling in this way.

Clearly this is just my own curiosity driving me to post about something a bit minor, but if anyone would know the answer - then they are surely one of our V-Flyer experts.

many thanks. ps. leaving 29C and now in -1C. has been a bit of a shock.

Almost a dead-certainty the two passengers were non-revving crew who had to make the journey each way that day. They had doubtless booked their travel in the hope some Upper Class seats would be available, but they were unlucky. So they get whatever seats & food are leftover. Only off-duty crew can use the crew seats & not the ones right next to a door for takeoff or landing.

Almost a dead-certainty the two passengers were non-revving crew who had to make the journey each way that day. They had doubtless booked their travel in the hope some Upper Class seats would be available, but they were unlucky. So they get whatever seats & food are leftover. Only off-duty crew can use the crew seats & not the ones right next to a door for takeoff or landing.

Any staff traveller can use the crew seats by the doors, not just off duty crew. As long as they are over a certain age, fit and able to open the door. Kids can use crew seats in the galley areas.

According to a mate at VS - She's not crew and has sat on a crew seat.

Thanks for the info. Interesting. Must be a nightmare journey though - 11 hrs ! Are these flights/seats free then ? Otherwise why do it ?

BA one-way long haul economy is around £130. I imagine VS will be similar.

You have to be brave using staff travel in and out of South Africa around Christmas/NY. It’s a very popular route.

Some crew will even maximise their holiday time and operate a flight straight after arriving at LHR. Saves leaving the airport and coming back the next day etc. But when they do this, they have no choice and just have to get back with whatever seat is given to them.

A final point - anyone with staff travel can be given those seats - even a nominee who isn’t a Virgin employee.