Velocity/Virgin - further enhancements to seat selection!

[aupirate]

As WP to me one of the best perks is row 3 with the extra leg room and being able to have a window seat without asking other pax to get up if I need to. I get a bit miffed when I book late and row 3 is gone!

 

[ChrisFlyer]

This is interesting - I'd selected 13C on a BNE-MEL 738 next month, and my seat has been changed to 14C, with all of row 13 blocked off. If I try to select 14D (or any of the other row 14 seats), it wants to charge me...

I can understand giving row 3 to plats/VIPs, but I don't particularly like the idea of having no 'good' seats available for selection - particularly as a status pax. IMO, row 14 should be free for SG & WP (it is with QF after all), but each to their own...

 

[Warks]

As a SG I can get row 7 when I book and no further forward. However, when I use mobile check-in 48 hours before the flight I can usually get row 4 or row 3 if I want to sit in the middle. I don't see any benefit in row 3 as you can't keep a bag under the seat in front. Row 4 gets the Galaxy tablets as well so it's my pick.

Flew SYD-TSV earlier this week in 4F - got the tablet and 4E remained free which to me is almost J. On my return today I got the same seat but 4E was occupied (by a bloke on a flexi-fare no less) even though 4A AND 4B were unoccupied... As for IFE (not quite on topic I know) I was all set up for the promised wi-fi on this flight and it didn't work at all. That's for another thread though...

 

[LACE]

I'm an SG my 4 previous flights I've been able to select row 3 on mobile check-in and had the whole row to myself SYD-CNS despite the rest of the plane being packed. Over the past 2 years (even pre-gold) I always get an emergency exit row seat (either aisle or window never the middle) by simply asking nicely at check-in. It even seems to work with Jetstar.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I can usually get ... row 3 if I want to sit in the middle.

I'm an SG my 4 previous flights I've been able to select row 3 on mobile check-in

I realise this will sound a bit immature (DYKWIA ish), but I'm not sure (as a WP) I like this concept. Often I've found row 3 full with heaps of availability elsewhere onboard. I know all the reasons some people will choose row 3 middle over elsewhere window or isle, but it does detract from the advantage of WP a bit (and the lack of difference between WP and SG has been raised as a point of contention previously).

BTW, when the time comes for me to be bumped back to SG, I'll probably change my mind , but I doubt I could ever see benefit in taking a row 3 middle over an isle or window further back!

 

[bass_ke]

I'm happy with 6/7 back as an SG but an issue with non status pax getting row 3 happened in front of me on Monday.

Us folks in the PB line boarded calmly, got our bags stowed without a fuss and sat down ready for the flight.

Halfway through boarding a couple resplendent with Bintang related wear turned up and managed to block the aisle for some time whilst dropping bags on other pax and laughing about breaking the overhead locker due to having so many bags.

Not a big drama, just annoying for everyone boarding and more annoying when disembarking.

Hope all the above makes sense, tired tired sat morning!

 

[clarkkent]

Suppose the plane turns out to be full. Who would a platinum in row 3 prefer to sit next to - the random last person to check in, or a seasoned gold who was given access at online check-in 48 h earlier? For flights at busy times, locking out lower-tier-but-still-frequent flyers until the very last moment would mean seating companions for the platinums are more likely to be the infrequent flyers railed against so frequently here. So some form of staged release of seats seems optimal to me. Put another way, if you ban golds and silvers from rows 3-6 be careful what you wish for.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Suppose the plane turns out to be full. Who would a platinum in row 3 prefer to sit next to - the random last person to check in, or a seasoned gold who was given access at online check-in 48 h earlier?

That's easily managed by an airline. Plenty of times we hear a page for a status member and find they've been upgraded. I'd imagine looking for a single gold traveller in a middle elsewhere would be easily done and quickly moved to middle row 3. (I doubt anyone would mind moving from a back middle to a row 3 middle) and if there are none, it'd go to the non-status flyer anyway!

 

[tuapekastar]

I realise this will sound a bit immature (DYKWIA ish), but I'm not sure (as a WP) I like this concept. Often I've found row 3 full with heaps of availability elsewhere onboard. I know all the reasons some people will choose row 3 middle over elsewhere window or isle, but it does detract from the advantage of WP a bit (and the lack of difference between WP and SG has been raised as a point of contention previously).

BTW, when the time comes for me to be bumped back to SG, I'll probably change my mind , but I doubt I could ever see benefit in taking a row 3 middle over an isle or window further back!

As a lapsed Platinum (now Gold), I fully agree with the seating discrimination (i.e. rows 3 thru 6 - especially row 3 ) between Plat and Gold, but I think it is not unreasonable to open it up to all and sundry when OLCI opens up.

My first booking as a Gold sees me in 7D, and I would/will retain that in preference to 3B or 3E (or even 3A or 3F - I'm an aisle person). The only move I would consider making forward of my currently allocated 7D at OLCI would be to another aisle seat.

It would be disappointing to have some random (or even a pesky old Gold ) jump into 3B or 3E next to you if there was plenty of room elsewhere, but really, if it was restricted to Plats only, up to close of check-in or in the event of every other seat being occupied) chances are you may get someone there anyway (though I guess the chances are lessened - most Plats - I would hope, anyway - are savvy enough to know good seats from bad and choose accordingly. And well ahead of time, last minute bookings/flight changes excepted.

 

[clarkkent]

That's easily managed by an airline. Plenty of times we hear a page for a status member and find they've been upgraded. I'd imagine looking for a single gold traveller in a middle elsewhere would be easily done and quickly moved to middle row 3. (I doubt anyone would mind moving from a back middle to a row 3 middle) and if there are none, it'd go to the non-status flyer anyway!

Oh sure for managing shadows some hands-on intervention is probably required. But I'm talking about the front rows more broadly - optimal packing of frequent flyers to the exclusion of the rest should be possible largely without moving people around by hand.

And to be clear, I wouldn't choose 3B over a window or aisle further back (for me the leg room is overkill and I prefer my bag under the seat in front), but plenty of tall people would kill for that leg room so it's pretty obvious why they'd choose it.

 

[AdMEL]

And to be clear, I wouldn't choose 3B over a window or aisle further back (for me the leg room is overkill and I prefer my bag under the seat in front), but plenty of tall people would kill for that leg room so it's pretty obvious why they'd choose it.

At 6'9", I am one of the people you're referring to!

 

[tuapekastar]

At 6'9", I am one of the people you're referring to!

:shock: I can totally understand why you would take a 3B or 3E or middle seat exit row.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

At 6'9", I am one of the people you're referring to!

There's probably only two groups of people who would take 3 middle over aisle/window further back.......those who desperately don't want a seat reclined into their lap and those that are taller than the average bear!

In both cases (for better or worse) exits rows would suffice equally as well and are available for purchase at reasonable additional fees and let's not forget that J exists for purchase on most sectors. Plats generally have spent good coin (more coin than gold) to access row 3 and as much as I understand golds wanting dibbing rights, they do impact on the plats potential (but yes, unofficial) shaddow availability! I make this comment based on experience (I won't regail in depth my last trip but suffice to say, I copped an overbearing gold that even pushed and pushed the FAs for a J upgrade and shoved his carry on in the J lockers and continually breached the J section to access said bags and took the opportunity to use the J facilities........silently I was hoping the goose would get his J upgrade so I could get my shaddow back, but not to be).

 

[dfcatch]

I have no problem with WP shadows remaining secure.

But I would rather see Golds have some access to Row 3 (non-B/E seats), at OLCI or similar.

It annoys me when non-status get in there.

You can both protect WP entitlements, and enhance SG access at the same time.

For example - on QF I have my seating zone access, as it approaches OLCI time, others have the chance to grab unallocated seats (hopefully shadows hold). I think it's a good system.

 

[AdMEL]

There's probably only two groups of people who would take 3 middle over aisle/window further back.......those who desperately don't want a seat reclined into their lap and those that are taller than the average bear!

In both cases (for better or worse) exits rows would suffice equally as well and are available for purchase at reasonable additional fees and let's not forget that J exists for purchase on most sectors. Plats generally have spent good coin (more coin than gold) to access row 3 and as much as I understand golds wanting dibbing rights, they do impact on the plats potential (but yes, unofficial) shaddow availability! I make this comment based on experience (I won't regail in depth my last trip but suffice to say, I copped an overbearing gold that even pushed and pushed the FAs for a J upgrade and shoved his carry on in the J lockers and continually breached the J section to access said bags and took the opportunity to use the J facilities........silently I was hoping the goose would get his J upgrade so I could get my shaddow back, but not to be).

I am perfectly happy with exit row seats, and whilst I often do pay for them, if I can minimise my costs by not paying for them, I will, hence why I started this thread. And whilst I would love to fly J, I cannot afford it.

For the record, I have never sat in row 3 on a VA refurbished plane, but if I can do that in lieu of paying for an exit row, I would. It appears that may annoy some, but whilst I am not Gold/Platinum (and may never be), I try not annoy my seat mate. If, as silver, or red, I do not have access to row 3, then so be it, but if I do, then I will use it where appropriate.

I should also point out there are circumstances (not necessarily on VA, but possibly), where it is not possible to have an exit row seat allocated in advance (e.g. code shares, sold out, no advance allocation of exit row seats, etc.) - in this case, I will do everything I can to get a seat that has some extra leg room (usually, I am offered one, even without asking), which may include something similar to row 3 on VA, but I'll take what I can get (without being rude about it).

I thought this site was about sharing information that benefits other members, but judging by some of the comments on this thread, apparently I'm wrong, which is disappointing.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I have no problem with WP shadows remaining secure.

But I would rather see Golds have some access to Row 3 (non-B/E seats), at OLCI or similar.

It annoys me when non-status get in there.

You can both protect WP entitlements, and enhance SG access at the same time.

For example - on QF I have my seating zone access, as it approaches OLCI time, others have the chance to grab unallocated seats (hopefully shadows hold). I think it's a good system.

Sounds like a great compromise.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I thought this site was about sharing information that benefits other members, but judging by some of the comments on this thread, apparently I'm wrong, which is disappointing.

May I ask you to clarify this odd statement?

You raised a point about exit row seating being removed for free for you as a silver status flyer (because VA want to charge for them). A WP advised it was not just for silver but for WP as well. Others have come back advising you that it may be possible for you to instead grab a coveted row 3 seat. I've voiced some of my concerns about that scenario (given that it was only a short time ago that row 3 pretty much became a WP benefit) and with the removal of the free access to the forward exit row, this may now become more problematic for the so called "benefited" WPs. I also said it may be a little bit "immature" of me for thinking this. For heavens sake, I was making comment about a negative impact from the same change you were griping about....just from a different angle. Instead of recognising that, you fire off a few barbs at how poorly you're treated and how this forum is not for sharing of information . Can I ask you then, why do you believe the effect this change has on you is more important than the effect this change potentially has on me? I've read back through the entire thread and I've not seen anyone else that you may have been referring to so I'm assuming it is me?

I'd be curious to know.

 

[AdMEL]

May I ask you to clarify this odd statement?

You raised a point about exit row seating being removed for free for you as a silver status flyer (because VA want to charge for them). A WP advised it was not just for silver but for WP as well. Others have come back advising you that it may be possible for you to instead grab a coveted row 3 seat. I've voiced some of my concerns about that scenario (given that it was only a short time ago that row 3 pretty much became a WP benefit) and with the removal of the free access to the forward exit row, this may now become more problematic for the so called "benefited" WPs. I also said it may be a little bit "immature" of me for thinking this. For heavens sake, I was making comment about a negative impact from the same change you were griping about....just from a different angle. Instead of recognising that, you fire off a few barbs at how poorly you're treated and how this forum is not for sharing of information . Can I ask you then, why do you believe the effect this change has on you is more important than the effect this change potentially has on me? I've read back through the entire thread and I've not seen anyone else that you may have been referring to so I'm assuming it is me?

I'd be curious to know.

Firstly, my comment wasn't only directed at you. The undertone of a few comments (maybe not so much yours) appears to be resentment of non status pax sitting in row 3, with the resentment directed towards those pax, rather than at VA for allowing that situation to occur. Maybe I'm overreacting. As I said in my previous post, I have no problem if as a non Gold/Plat I cannot select row 3 seats, but if I can because VA allow it, I potentially will.

In the case of your comments, maybe I misunderstood and/or overreacted - I interpreted your comment as saying that if non Plat/Gold flyers need extra legroom, they should pay for an exit row seat, rather than use row 3, or fly J. Again, maybe I misunderstood? From your subsequent comments, maybe you were directing your comments towards VA? Would you care to clarify?

Your point is now a little clearer than it was previously.

Edit: I also responded to your comment without reading your previous comment as part of it.

 

[medhead]

I think the only "resentment" directed at people in row 3 is better to be considered bewilderment that someone would taken row 3 middle, when there are plenty of other aisle or window seats available.

I also realise that Virgin are to blame. I take the time to provide feedback when I get to sit next to an occupie

Suppose the plane turns out to be full. Who would a platinum in row 3 prefer to sit next to - the random last person to check in, or a seasoned gold who was given access at online check-in 48 h earlier? For flights at busy times, locking out lower-tier-but-still-frequent flyers until the very last moment would mean seating companions for the platinums are more likely to be the infrequent flyers railed against so frequently here. So some form of staged release of seats seems optimal to me. Put another way, if you ban golds and silvers from rows 3-6 be careful what you wish for.

The issue is not full flights but flights that are empty. I've been on plenty of flights with a full row 3 and only a handful of other middle seats occupied.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I interpreted your comment as saying that if non Plat/Gold flyers need extra legroom, they should pay for an exit row seat, rather than use row 3, or fly J.

Thanks for the clarification. I guess my comment was exactly that, but moreso highlighting that there are other options for non-WP flyers to have the same benefit (or more) as row 3. It comes down to a question of the value of status. As a silver, you don't automatically gain access to the other status benefits that VA offer SG and WP and SG members don't automatically gain access to the few status benefits that VA offer exclusively to WPs. I don't think anyone denies row 3 is the best seating (apart from J) in a 737-800 but not everyone on the plane can have it and VA have supposedly made this a benefit for WP flyers. I did admit however, that I certainly realise VA have never officially made shadows a WP perk, but the ability of non WP members to be able to select row 3 middle at T-48, coupled with the willingness of many to grab a middle row 3 seat, often means the WPs in row 3 lose the spare seat beside them even when there are heaps of spare seats further back (sometimes not that much further back and I recall Medhead saying he's even relocated himself to have a spare middle). It just doesn't make sense to me. The PITA SG I referred to earlier (on my last flight, which was 3+ hours) did not have a laptop, was not overly tall and there were spare isle and window seats further back........in short, no real reson for him to squash into a middle seat which affects the two other WPs either side of him.

In any case, with the changes to the forward exit row, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if row 3 suffered the same fate in the future.