Virgin Atlantic: Which Version of Boeing 747

Ms_Chocaholic

Hi

I'm travelling from LGW in October with Virgin on a Boeing 747-400 and was looking at the Seat Guru website to familiarise myself with the seating plan etc for when I do online check in.

I've hit a problem though ... on the Seat Guru website there's a list of aircraft operated by Virgin and there are several versions of the 747-400. How do I know which version I'll be on?

Can anyone help?

Thanks

Ms C xx

TankEngine

You'll be on a version 3. They are used for all Gatwick and Manchester flights. Have a nice hol.

Ms_Chocaholic

Many thanks, that was quick.

sturll

See https://www.v-flyer.com

trets77

also good luck with surviving the flight..if it is any thing like the 747 that virgin flies to Vegas then be prepared for a uncomfortable time.

i will never get back on a Virgin 747 , after last time. awful, simply awful.

LB1985

Virgin's Gatwick B747-400 fleet is rather cramped. I would definitely recommend trying for an exit row!

bagand96

In economy, you get the same amount of space if you are on a Heathrow 747, A340 or a Gatwick 747, or for that matter a British Airways 747 or 777. The difference in configuration between Virgin's 747 fleets is to do with different configurations, Heathrow fleet tend to have a lot more Upper Class and Premium Economy seats that the Gatwick fleet.

zico_2

Hi don't bank on getting the seats you selected online on your return flight unless you have time, opportunity and inclination to go online 48 hours before your return flight to confirm the seats! We flew back from Vegas in June, and before departure, I picked seats for both flights. Got the seats chosen on way out, but on return, at check in given different seats and when queried, was told you had to confirm 48 hours before hand. Did not remember seeing this on the web site during selection of seats. No option but to take what was given. What is the point of allowing you to book seats if you have to confirm for return flight. On holiday I don't want to be logging on!! If we had chosen special seats at bulkhead or emergency exit I could understand need to move, but had chosen one of the 2 seat configuration at rear of plane to avoid being disturbed on overnight flight. However, had such a fab time in Vegas was not going to allow Virgin to spoil it!

bagand96

Virgin's website states, as does any airline that lets you select your seat in advance, that seat preferences can never be guaranteed due to operational reasons on the day. It mentions nothing about 48 hours though; never heard of anything like that. That may be something the staff at Vegas just told you or are perhaps getting confused? (Staff there would not have been Virgin Atlantic, would be a 3rd party handling agent). That's the trouble with handling agents...

You can guarantee a seat selection by doing on-line check in, once you've checked in they are your seats (maybe that's what the Vegas staff were referring to, although again that's not 48 hours either). Also as stated not everyone can, or wants to log on while on holiday.

Just bear in mind that selecting a seat on an airline website is just a preference and never a guarantee, anything can happen on the day.

disney_cjd

the Virgin gatwick fleet has yet to be uprgraded to the purple PE cabins so they are rather old and dated imho.

Also those planes are canned and often go tech. Where are you flying too? Hopefully not MCO as I think that is the least punctual route they run

All being said the food and hosties are far better than BA

photome

Just another comment on how BAD the Gatwick fleet is, cramped and uncomfortable, the seats are way past their sell by date, a park bench springs to mind. I would recomend taking a cushion for extra padding.