Why can't I get row 3 anymore?

[DirkDiggler]

To give you some history,

I'm BIS Platinum that for the last 18 months has done around 200 flights with Virgin. I would have around 4000 SC's had it not been for Family Pooling.

Over the last 6 weeks my travel has dropped to around 1 Rtn flight a week. In the past I would get a row 3 (always A or F) seat on 80-90% of flights.

On the past 8 flights the best I have been able to get is row 7 and on two flights I was Row 20+.

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[777]

How far out from the flight are you booking?

 

[serfty]

As a SG, I can get row3 14 days out.

How far out are you trying to select seats?

 

[DirkDiggler]

My flights are generally booked only around 3-4 days out, but that's how they have always been booked due to the nature of my work. I have had instances in the past where I had booked the day before and still got row 3.

 

[777]

My flights are generally booked only around 3-4 days out, but that's how they have always been booked due to the nature of my work. I have had instances in the past where I had booked the day before and still got row 3.

There's your problem. They don't save row 3 on the off chance you might make a booking. Plats and golds booking before you are getting the seats first. You are booking 10 days after seat selection opens. I too have found that I can get good seats while booking late but you have to be reasonably lucky and it's definitely not to be expected.

 

[samh004]

My flights are generally booked only around 3-4 days out, but that's how they have always been booked due to the nature of my work. I have had instances in the past where I had booked the day before and still got row 3.

I think in the past there may have been less members with flights and status, preselecting weeks out, but now there are more and as there's only 6 seats in the front row on every flight it's getting tight.

 

[mkentwell]

Personally am usually row 3 either C or D, every so often am surprised to be in 7 or 9, but found this to be rare. Asked the checkin when this happens and was told there were a lot of Plat and Gold on the flight, so think it just comes down to the luck of the draw and the increase in DJ's attraction of the business traveller.

 

[freepyjamas]

In the early days of DJ's upgrade to a full-service airline, I'd imagine the early adopters got a great deal because of the relative scarcity of high status pax with DJ.

The more business travellers they attract, the less special you're going to feel as an individual.

 

[serfty]

As a WP, you can see what seats may be available on a flight beforehand by doing a dummy booking. If within 14 days, seat selection is available before completing/paying for the booking.

 

[ms1]

Funny I read this thread today.

I have a Syd-Cbr flight on an ATR 72 which I had selected 3C a week ago. Just checked my online bookings and I see I am now in 16D. How the hell does that happen??

 

[Fruitcake]

Funny I read this thread today.

I have a Syd-Cbr flight on an ATR 72 which I had selected 3C a week ago. Just checked my online bookings and I see I am now in 16D. How the hell does that happen??

They probably thought that as a platinum you'd prefer to be amongst the first off the aircraft, rather than the last?

(The only boarding door on the ATRs is at the rear - although that *might* vary between -500s and -600s, if they are in service yet).

 

[Blinky]

In the early days of DJ's upgrade to a full-service airline, I'd imagine the early adopters got a great deal because of the relative scarcity of high status pax with DJ.

The more business travellers they attract, the less special you're going to feel as an individual.

This must apply to me, because I get row 3 or 4 regardless of when I book (it's usually a week before). The only time I get a seat further back is if I fly forward. I am rarely further back than 7.

 

[ms1]

They probably thought that as a platinum you'd prefer to be amongst the first off the aircraft, rather than the last?

(The only boarding door on the ATRs is at the rear - although that *might* vary between -500s and -600s, if they are in service yet).

Oh good to know

 

[lovestotravel]

I made a booking a few weeks ago for a MEL-AKL flight..

When I went to pick a seat at 14 days out, I was already assigned 3A automatically!

 

[serfty]

I made a booking a few weeks ago for a MEL-AKL flight..

When I went to pick a seat at 14 days out, I was already assigned 3A automatically!

If your are SG or WP it will assign the seat at 14 days - if not it won't.

This is obvious for Business bookings as seat selection is available for all Business customers at 14 days. Those without status don't have a seat preselected for them - it shows as "--" while SG/WP do get an allocation. Once selected it tends to stick better if you change it at least once (you can change it back immediately).

 

[lovestotravel]

Once selected it tends to stick better if you change it at least once (you can change it back immediately).

Hmmm funny I have just been booted out of 3A and now into 3F

I am plat with Virgin, so really wondering why I would be moved...this is now the 2nd time I have been moved by someone else...

 

[serfty]

Hmmm funny I have just been booted out of 3A and now into 3F

I am plat with Virgin, so really wondering why I would be moved...this is now the 2nd time I have been moved by someone else...

Was 3A your initial allocation and/or did you change it?

 

[samh004]

Hmmm funny I have just been booted out of 3A and now into 3F

I am plat with Virgin, so really wondering why I would be moved...this is now the 2nd time I have been moved by someone else...

Someone from 'The Club' clearly wanted that seat

 

[Warks]

What's the big deal with row 3 anyway? Better legroom but there's nowhere to stow your stuff under the seat in front so it's up and down to get it; there are often no entertainment screens so they may give you a tablet to watch but you have to hand that back early. If they do have in-arm entertainment units you still have to stow them when you're told, well before the rest. I say this as someone who is normally in row 3 (not on the busier legs) and I do wonder sometimes what the benefit is over row 4. Also isn't the the overhead locker full of FA stuff so you have to go backwards anyway?

 

[AaronBradford]

On a recent HBA flight I preselected 3A t-14 days. I was reallocated to 4A. Minor issue, but it still annoyed me. It seems to be occurring ever frequently going by these posts.