Virgin 'business seats' sold as economy

[okiedokie]

Tried to get business seats on Fraser coast to Sydney. No availability on any date ever on the website. Asked call centre, they said its economy only (seatguru shows no 737 or e90 in economy only config however)

Rock up today, it has business class of course - I've flown this route a dozen times and can't remember it every not - and some seats are sold. Half are empty.

Anyone have an insight?

 

[mannej]

Business seat with economy service would be your answer.

 

[okiedokie]

Ok, any way of booking them?

Reason I'm not thrilled is my partner is on crutches, couldn't book business, called call centre but 'every seat is the same' so couldn't get any extra room - exit row no go of course. On board they said too late need to be in assigned seat. So we're stuck in the back meanwhile plenty of seats the entire time...

 

[TomVexille]

There is, be a WP

 

[okiedokie]

That's it? I know it's staggered rows however two of them look like it's their first flight (no way in the world they are even silver) so thought there must be another.

People on here know more than the staff I spoke to

 

[TomVexille]

You should be able to access them at check in assuming they are free

 

[mannej]

That's it? I know it's staggered rows however two of them look like it's their first flight (no way in the world they are even silver) so thought there must be another.

People on here know more than the staff I spoke to

Big assumption there which I'm guessing is shaped by your disappointment in the situation.

 

[Jet L]

Some routes don't sell a business class service (e.g. SYD-BNK) these seats can be selected by a WP at booking a SG at T-48 and anyone at T-12

 

[okiedokie]

An assumption yes; however their mannerisms were far from showing familiarity in the surroundings. That's why I was thinking maybe Virgin would change seats at the counter or similar method, rather than being Platinum only. Maybe they had asked and were told yes.

I assume T-48 and T-12 relates to hours before departure?

Like anything half of the frustration is the unknowledgeable staff and general lack of detail - if I'd got on the plane and it was all economy I wouldn't have cared, it was more I was trying hard to get the seats, was shut down every step along the way and told downright incorrect things as it turned out in the end.

 

[Jet L]

I assume T-48 and T-12 relates to hours before departure?

T-48 = 48 hrs before flight T-12 = 12 hrs before flight

 

[okiedokie]

Ok thanks. Given seats were available they could have accommodated then?

We have the return leg so will persist more if so this time (i.e. staff incorrect vs company policy they're enforcing)

 

[serfty]

If you make a request on the seats thread we can advise availabilty.


http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/showthread.php?p=360715

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Ok thanks. Given seats were available they could have accommodated then?

With +1 in crutches, I doubt you'd have much problem getting the J seats at check-in, provided there are any left. Keep in mind any WP can book these at the time of booking so how many WPs are on the flight may determine availability. Sometimes flights fly with spare seats simply because the booked party was a no-show, so empty seats are not always an accurate assessment of how many were booked when you checked in.

 

[ecole16]

It looks like VA is dropping the economy only routes. Business class is now on available online for flights departing from March 1st on SYD-HVB, BNE-PPP, BNE-ROK. These routes are all currently economy only

 

[bullerdude]

It looks like VA is dropping the economy only routes. Business class is now on available online for flights departing from March 1st on SYD-HVB, BNE-PPP, BNE-ROK. These routes are all currently economy only

Looks like MEL-LST as well. Interesting move.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

I got an alert this morning that I'd been kicked out of my business-but-not seat for BME-PER in April (was originally a Fokker 100 flight that got replaced with a 737). I'm now located in row 3. I did try a dummy search earlier, but didn't see business seats available for sale. Edit: now are on sale for $999.

 

[samas]

That's interesting business is starting to be sold on regional routes.. I fly a lot within WA on flights that have mixed aircraft types... sat in a economy ticket business seat for KTA, KGI, PHE, but there is so much variability in aircraft on these routes.... Three sectors between PER and KGI in one month I flew A320, F100 and B737!

 

[samas]

Wit all the talk about Bali flights and VA/TT lately interesting spruiking Port Hedland to Bali Business!
Also the economy PHE-DPS are pretety steep so J isn't much more.

Mistake fare saying economy Perth to London for $6,745......

 

[Deleted member 29185]

but there is so much variability in aircraft on these routes....

I'm just wondering how they are going to manage this with F100 and AT72's. I foresee a lot of angst coming soon.

As for the #Mates Rates blurb, I keep shaking my head at how VA continue to allow such embarrassing errors to slip past the proof readers.

 

[Pleb Status]

I'm just wondering how they are going to manage this with F100 and AT72's. I foresee a lot of angst coming soon.

As for the #Mates Rates blurb, I keep shaking my head at how VA continue to allow such embarrassing errors to slip past the proof readers.

They must use the same people as QF to maintain their website.