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We’ve had the dreaded aircraft change from A350 to Boeing 787 for upcoming flights to LA in Sept. I know aircraft changes are within policy but the new seating configuration means we’re not even sat together anymore.
We did have the 2 middle seats next to each other on A350 but now in rows A and B on 787 which means not really next to each other at all. Upper is completely sold out so no option to change.
Called Virgin and they wouldn’t even entertain moving us to earlier flight in the day so we could sit next to each either. Feels really unreasonable. We’re Gold status and my partner is a really nervous flyer.
Anyone have experience with a similar issue or any advice?
Thanks
R
Once you have boarded, ask someone if they will kindly swap seats so you can sit with your partner, or ask the flight attendant to assist with this.
They have cancelled my outbound flight in Oct to LAX and booked me on the one nearly 4 hours later -as you say UC is full so no real choice of seat
Seems odd that they wont swap you onto the earlier flight as in my case its only half full and then they could resell the seat at a higher fareReally not much difference in 789 seats so as suggested above I would happily swap seats from K to A if you asked nicely before I settle in
Happened to a couple on my last Virgin flight, except they were moved to A and K, one near the front and one near the back, so about as far apart as possible.
Crew refused to help find anyone who would swap, so they asked around but were unsuccessful. As with you, one was a nervous flyer.
The whole thing was very unsatisfactory, not least because the flight had several solo fliers so a better seating arrangement was certainly possible. The whole incident lefft a very poor impression on me.
I hope things work out better for you.
I had a similar issue on a MAN-MCO booking where they changed the flights so the earlier flight was the later one and vice versa. It was bizarre and I asked to be swapped as we want the early flight out that’s why we booked it! Was told no by multiple CS agents so emailed in a complaint instead and they told me if I asked again they would be more willing to accommodate, which they were, so I assume someone had a word.
The whole thing was very unsatisfactory, not least because the flight had several solo fliers so a better seating arrangement was certainly possible.
Solo flyers have their own needs as well and shouldn’t be over written by couples!
What is unsatisfactory is expecting solo passengers to move.
The airline can facilitate this in a way that avoids any conflict or pressure though. Eg. Checking into a BA outstation lounge before an overnight flight earlier this year my father got a beep. I assumed an upgrade but it was actually a request if he would consider moving seats to allow a couple to sit together. He was shown the options on a seat map & informed there was no obligation but he was quite happy to oblige.
As it happened I was sitting with my wife & 2 young children opposite the couple in question in the lounge when the agent took them their new boarding passes shortly after I’d overheard them passing comment on children in business class. I was quite tempted to ask my father to go & rescind his agreement to move!
We had similar.
For whatever reason we had to make separate bookings for my wife and me but we chose seats next to each other.
A flight time change meant we had to change to an earlier flight and customer service split us up.
And I mean REALLY split us up. They left one on the original flight and the other on the new one.
Thankfully I noticed and later that day spent a while on the phone to get it sorted.
We then found we were seated 4 rows apart and UC was full.
Nobody would do anything so yet another email to Corporate and they put us together.
Of course, that may have meant others got split up but we never knew about it.
AND I would much rather fly the older plane as I’ve found the newer ones to be an impossible fit for the lay flat bed.
Like others have said, I’d happily swap a G or K seat for one in A, even if I were travelling with someone. I don’t mind the 787 seat if I’m in row A because at least then you have some privacy. However, I really dislike the lack of privacy in rows G and K, so don’t think I’d swap an A seat for a G or K one. So, I think you’d probably have more chance of someone swapping with you if you offer up the A seat. You would then have the option of your companion taking the adjacent G seat or even sitting opposite you in the K seat. Hopefully, you’ll find someone who will swap with you. Good luck.
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