Flying with virgin to America - any tips on upgrades ?

[lars]

I am flying with Virgin Atlantic to America in August and thought I asked how much it would cost to upgrade the seats to more leg room £50 eash, 2 adults and 2 kids. Total of £400 there and back. Has anyone got any tips on upgrades as I can't afford to pay these prices or I have to settle for the leg syndrome no doubt. Just seemed a bit much to me! larsxx

To be honest, the price you were quoted seems reasonable for an upgrade (if understandably outside your budget). It is highly unlikely that you will be upgraded for free because of the children; however, can you request bulk-head seats, which will at least give you more legroom?

Fly with American Airlines instead - their seat pitches are much much better than Virgin - I went when I was 7 months pg with them and I could get out without the person next to me moving! Virgin are tiny, 30 or 31" - AA more like 35" depending on which plane you go on.

Virgin premium economy is only 38" so AA def looks the better bet!

Hi,

You will in all likelihood not get an upgrade if the flight is full also.

At £50 a head both ways I have a nasty feeling that they have actually quoted you the price instead for emergency row seats rather than an upgrade into Premium Economy. According to my Virgin brochure a one way upgrade to Orlando in August costs £225 (per person).

Bulkhead seats are usually reserved for families with babies and/or small children on the day of departure.

BA occasionally do offers on upgrades (better than Virgin's in terms of cost) so next time you fly it may be worth looking at their World Traveller Plus service for a comparison with Virgins rates.

Some flights won't allow children on upgraded seats We are going on a cheapie Fly City Direct flight and their upgrades are only available to adults. Apparantly some travellers prefer to be away from the children on a flight. Did ask my parents if they thought it was okay for me and DH to upgrade and for DD to stay with them, my brother and sister - strangley no one ele though was a good idea

There's no way that 50 quid is going to get you an upgrade to first or business class. Those seats cost a substantial amount more than a regular coach ticket.

How old are your kids? If they're young you may be able to get the bulkhead seats. Check in early to maximise your chances.

808state, I got all excited when I read your post about BA's World Traveler Plus, as we are flying BA from Tampa to Gatwick in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately it's not available on that route.

Show up in smart clothes and ask! It worked for my brother in law. Him and his wife showed up in suits and asked, and they got! Obviously it will only work if they've got spare seats. Plus you might not be very comfortable in a suit after so many hours on a plane, but theres an idea for you anyway

that £50 is definitely what you now pay Virgin for the extra leg room seats - ie. the emergency exit setas, which they won't give you if you have small kids since it needs to be people who can actively help open the doors in an emergency. The bulk head seats in the front row are usually allocated to people with infants. I'd echo those who said fly with Anmerican Airlines where the seat pitch is a good few inches more than Virgin. Not sure if their in-flight entertainment matches Virgin's though, which is excellent.

Kateandthegirls, the upgrade was for more leg room not first or business class as you must of thought and yes of course it would cost more for that. larsxx

I'm resurrecting this thread as I have just flown back yesterday with Virgin from Florida. My dp suffered a back strain whilst there which means that standing, sitting or walking are extremely painful and virtually impossible. The doctor said it would take 6 weeks to mend. Obviously he was dreading the return flight home and I asked the Virgin stewardess if he could upgrade to a more comfortable seat. The answer was a categoric no so he had to seat in massive discomfort for 8 hours despite the plane not being full and there being spare seats in Premium Economy. We did have bulk head seats which only give you marginal more room but do mean that you cant stretch your legs out under the seat in front and you do have to sit looking at a blank wall for the whole flight. On the positive side it does mean that no one in front can recline their seat. The kiddies pack was rubbish, one note pad, one pen, a story book suitable for a 10 year old and a peaked cap so dont rely on that to amuse your child for 8 hours. Also immigration the other end took a whopping 2.5 hours from getting off the plane to leaving the airport in the car and this is pretty much standard and not unusual.

Oh!
We are flying Virgin in Oct to Florida with 6yr old triplets! Sounds like I need to take plenty to amuse and be patient, though the kids won1t be!