No seats available in future flight

[Soso]

Hi,

I was trying to reserve my seat for my return reward flight in Premium economy from Miami in February when I noticed that all seats were taken. I already got bumped from my original flight (which was earlier that day). Does that mean that my flight is full and that odds are, I will be overbooked ?

Thanks

[AL]

You’ll likely spot that row 21 (on a 789, forgotten the row numbers on the Airbus fleet) is blocked out in Premium. You’ll most likely end up, if you don’t get a seat that you’ve chosen between now and then, in that row. It opens up for selection at OLCI, 24 hours before departure. The reason it’s blocked out is to ensure that they can support bassinet requests etc. which require the front row.

In 2022, I had two exceptionally busy VS flights and I was bumped, but only after agreeing to it, receiving compensation (an Upper upgrade and Virgin Points) and similar routing anyway (LHR-JFK-DCA > LHR-IAD).

[Soso]

Yes, that would make sense ! Thanks !! Just got worried cause all premium economy tickets and upper class appears as sold out on the website. Was getting ready for being downgraded at best and overbooked at worst ! Will try to ask for compensation !

[AL]

I should be clear: just because the flights were busy didn’t mean I didn’t have a seat (I couldn’t choose one before OLCI either), but that they were open to bumping me because it made the flight more comfortable for all. You do have rights to compensation, per UK261, depending on the circumstances, but I am usually of the opinion that VS make things right there and then without the need to have to force the conversation (unlike the other airline).