Do Virgin Atlantic start preallocation of seats 7 days in advance like BA?

[UrsaMinor]

Does anyone know if Virgin start pre-allocation of seats in the same way that BA does from 7 days prior to departure? Or do they just leave it for when OLCI opens at 24 hours.

I know allocation of bassinets for infants can be last minute but was wondering what also happens with families including children under 12.

[AL]

It depends on the cabin and, in Economy, on the ticket type:

– Economy Light: standard seats available free-of-charge at check-in, or in advance for a fee
– Economy Classic: standard seats available free-of-charge at check-in, or in advance for a fee
– Economy Delight: extra legroom seats available at check-in, or in advance for a fee
– Premium: any time
– Upper: any time

However, the rules slightly change if you’re a Flying Club member:

– If you’re a Red member, and travelling on a Virgin Holidays booking, your whole party can choose in advance 7 days prior to departure
– If you’re a Silver member, it’s 7 days prior to departure
– If you’re Gold, it’s any time for you and your party (where party is anyone on the same PNR, officially)

Given Flying Club is free to join, if you’re on a Hols. booking, you may as well sign up and add your number to your PNR, and at least get seven days advance seating, if you’re in Economy.

[UrsaMinor]

AL wrote:

It depends on the cabin and, in Economy, on the ticket type:

– Economy Light: standard seats available free-of-charge at check-in, or in advance for a fee
– Economy Classic: standard seats available free-of-charge at check-in, or in advance for a fee
– Economy Delight: extra legroom seats available at check-in, or in advance for a fee
– Premium: any time
– Upper: any time

However, the rules slightly change if you’re a Flying Club member:

– If you’re a Red member, and travelling on a Virgin Holidays booking, your whole party can choose in advance 7 days prior to departure
– If you’re a Silver member, it’s 7 days prior to departure
– If you’re Gold, it’s any time for you and your party (where party is anyone on the same PNR, officially)

Given Flying Club is free to join, if you’re on a Hols. booking, you may as well sign up and add your number to your PNR, and at least get seven days advance seating, if you’re in Economy.

Thank you Al for that comprehensive breakdown. I knew the background to Flying Club etc and did wonder why some passengers on a VH didn’t take advantage if they were a Red Member. Perhaps I haven’t explained what I was trying to find out – BA start preallocation of non member BAEC members seats from 7 days to 3 days before departure in the background of the booking but these passengers can’t see this until OLCI opens and they can amend the allocated seats for free. So if Virgin passengers with under 12’s (no FC and not on a VH) went to do OLCI would they notice a pre-allocated set if seats or as I believe they just choose from what is left.

[AL]

I knew the background to Flying Club etc and did wonder why some passengers on a VH didn’t take advantage if they were a Red Member.

I suspect a combination of a few things: hit and miss with VS Hols staff if you book in store (the ex-crew tend to be great, others could be great).

BA start preallocation of non member BAEC members seats from 7 days to 3 days before departure in the background of the booking but these passengers can’t see this until OLCI opens and they can amend the allocated seats for free. So if Virgin passengers with under 12’s (no FC and not on a VH) went to do OLCI would they notice a pre-allocated set if seats or as I believe they just choose from what is left.

Ah, I see. They choose from what’s left, as you thought. There is no pre-allocation of seating by the airline prior to departure, so it’s a scrum on a busy service (generally, peak season, so now, Christmas, Easter), but in non-peak, it’s pretty relaxed.

[UrsaMinor]

AL wrote:

I knew the background to Flying Club etc and did wonder why some passengers on a VH didn’t take advantage if they were a Red Member.

I suspect a combination of a few things: hit and miss with VS Hols staff if you book in store (the ex-crew tend to be great, others could be great).

BA start preallocation of non member BAEC members seats from 7 days to 3 days before departure in the background of the booking but these passengers can’t see this until OLCI opens and they can amend the allocated seats for free. So if Virgin passengers with under 12’s (no FC and not on a VH) went to do OLCI would they notice a pre-allocated set if seats or as I believe they just choose from what is left.

Ah, I see. They choose from what’s left, as you thought. There is no pre-allocation of seating by the airline prior to departure, so it’s a scrum on a busy service (generally, peak season, so now, Christmas, Easter), but in non-peak, it’s pretty relaxed.

Thanks again Al – your help is much appreciated.