Beware COTS on Virgin

[somewhereinlondon]

I made the mistake of assuming if you booked for a cot that you would be allocated a cot. BIG MISTAKE
I was told that they are allocated on age of baby, smallest get priority (in my view the smallest are actually easier on your lap!) but anyway, do be aware of this.
I booked almost 12 months in advance and travelled to australia without one.
Two seats with myself, 2 year old and 10 month old.
And we were stuck in the middle of the plane, no extra leg room.

It was not fun, but thank goodness for amazing passengers around us.

AND, the toddler car seat they provide is useless. Does not recline at all. Do they expect a toddler to stay upright the whole trip.
You can tell I will not be travelling with Virgin again!

I have to say, having previously worked for a holiday company, very few airlines (particularly the charter airlines)carry cots at all, if so they have few. I think you suffered what many parents have to 'put up with' whatever the airline. Its appalling!

Virgin is not a charter airline though! But i would have told you to avoid Virgin with babies/toddlers.... we had a dreadful experience going to Cape Town and have boycotted Virgin ever since.

Alternatively, BA actually fantastic, and their cots are actually moses basket sized with a proper mattress and high fabric sides, instead of the shallow crate you have to pad with blankets most other airlines give you.

Anyway, we've never had a problem getting a cot travelling on a scheduled airline but you do have my sympathy OP.

somewhere in london-
probably won't make you feel any better but the Virgin cots are tiny anyway- i had to cram my 8 month old in and was worried he'd fall out all the time. (Were useful to put stuff in though..)
In contrast we flew malaysian airlines when he was 12 months old and the cots were much much bigger, safer and more comfortable.
Just to let you know in case you have to fly again soon.
Found the whole thing v stressful wondering if we would get the one we'd booked etc. Sorry you had a stressful flight.

We loved Virgin to Sydney and to Antigua. I thought it was well known that skycots weren't guaranteed? They would have made that clear on booking tbh, it's always the case, and is with all airlines - they can't guarantee any booking tbh, someone with a higher priority (or a better loyalty card..) might book after you.

Agree with Patricia, you can never be guaranteed a skycot, its requested but only guaranteed on check in so always a gamble.

I agree also that BA skycots are much better than any others, however, at least with Virgin you know you will get there !
We regularly go to Florida and the last few times have flown BA but this time we've booked Virgin so we didn't have all the stress of the strikes which we've had twice now. We may not get a skycot for DC4 but at least we'll get our butts on seats and be guaranteed to get there!

I wasn't aware it was not guaranteed but definitely know that now and yes it is often more useful for putting htings in or having little one sitting and watching everyone, rather than sleeping.

Not sure when the next trip will be, but not put off by any means