Best economy seat on VAustralia 773?

[birder]

I have a flight in a few months on VAustralia to LAX. I called to get my seats selected and was told that since I am platinum, I am welcome to select exit row seats.

So my question is, which is better? Something in row 25, where there's only 2 seats instead of 3? Or 26, the exit row, with no seats in front of them, but with 3 seats in the row? Are the seats in row 25 any wider? (Of course, they are pretty wide to start!)

Any advice is most appreciated. And if this is the wrong forum, just let me know. I'm still not sure about the relationship between Virgin Australia and VAustralia. I thought they were now integrated but Virgin Australia folks couldn't change my seats for me.

 

[MomoWang]

G'day birder,

V Australia and Virgin Australia are essentially the same airline. However they still have separate reservations systems and call centres hence why one couldn't help you out with the other. I assume this will be fixed with the new reservation system that is coming.

Exit rows are 26 and 39. The row in front of the exit (row 25) has the same type of seat and same width, it is just the aisle seat is missing. There is a flight attendant seat on the back of it however I don't think the seat recline is affected. If you can cope with no view and looking out the window at the wing, row 26 is better than row 39. Both are near two toilets but row 39 also has the mid-galley there to distract you. That galley also has the little water fountain and self-serve hole in the wall to grab packets of nuts/chips etc. So it is more likely to have people hanging around than row 39.

If its leg room you value, then exit rows are obviously a win for you.

One little thing to be aware of is the IFE TV screens in the exit rows fold up from the armrest. They cannot be 'out and useable' during take-off and landing. It means you have a little less time to distract yourself using RED. Also your tray table also folds up from the arm rest. This means the arm rests are solid and cannot be raised, hence you get the feeling these seats are a little 'narrower' as your thighs touch the solid panel which may be uncomfortable for some.

Despite the above, I actually haven't flown in one of these seats so I trust some one who has will be able to provide you with some better personal experience.

Momo

 

[Mh4k]

Take the window seat in Row 26 and two Valium and you should get a decent rest.

I flew this route in Y as a Platinum on an oversold flight and was disappointed not to get op-uped but them's the breaks. Overall service was great - was given priority immigration cards and was snuck drinks from the J class bar by the CSM.

Y on VA's 777 isn't a bad experience all up. Enjoy

 

[davestan]

I'd go for the extra legroom seat everytime! Have a look at seatguru.com

 

[smit0847]

I've flown V Australia several times. All flights to LAX are day flights meaning you will probably be awake for most of the flight (they land at roughly 3am Oz time in LA so you may sleep the last few hours). I think your choice of seat differs depending on whether its an day-time or overnight flight. I thought long and hard about where I wanted to sit and ended up choosing an aisle (non exit row) seat for the flight to LAX, and a window (non-E.R.) for the return trip. Both seats were around row 30.

The reason I dont like exit rows is that they are usually next to the toilets meaning you get the constant noise and distraction of people going back and forth, congregating/chatting next to your seat and of course the rocket taking off every time the toilet is flushed. By the end of a 14 - 15 hour flight the smell isn't going to be pleasant everytime the door is opened either.

I think people would use the toilet more during a day time flight as they will be eating and drinking more due to the boredom. I don't like bulk-heads as it means you usually have a baby and parent next to you.

Everyone has their own personal choice of where they like to sit but for the sacrifice of extra leg room I was happy not to be in a exit row. I think the leg room is generous on V anyway (and I'm 6"0). If you can't sleep sitting up in Y, all the legroom in the world isn't going to fix that.