Changing seat assignment on Virgin codeshare flight

jenny-wren

The OH and I are booked on a Virgin Atlantic flight in 6 weeks time which is a codeshare operated by South African Airways. We booked through Expedia and have been assigned 2 separate seats in the middle of a row one behind each other. Obviously we'd like to sit together so we want to change the seat assignment.

I have a feeling that if we phone Expedia we'll be told we have to phone Virgin, if we phone Virgin we'll be told we have to phone South African Airways ... and we'll go round in circles. I've tried using the booking reference to log in on the Virgin website but it only gives me the option of changing the outbound flight which is a Virgin flight and not a codeshare. I assumed that it would be like other Virgin flights where it would just be a matter of changing it online through Virgin. If I'd realised that we couldn't I'd have chosen a Virgin operated flight instead. Expedia really don't make it clear on their website before you've clicked the 'book' button.

Anyone got any ideas about who I should contact to save having to be passed from 'pillar to post'?

Thanks.

mogadon

Ring Virgin and ask them, I've had to phone them a few times over seating, and they've always been really helpful (although they couldn't always give me the seats we wanted). But you'll get further with Virgin than you will with Expedia, and if you do have to contact South African Airways Virgin should be able to give you a anumber.

However, be aware that people travelling on the same booking are usually automatically allocated seats together if it's possible. So it may be that there aren't any pairs of seats available at the moment, though that might change nearer the flight date.

pompeii

I had a similar problem when we booked with Continental travelling on a Virgin flight booked with Airmiles. I telephoned Continental gave them my booking ref; they gave me a code that enabled me to change my booking on line via the Virgin website.

jenny-wren

Thanks. I'll get the OH to call Virgin ... after all, the booking is in his name!!

sgm6670

Having worked for an airline, the best bet is not to worry. Airlines block a huge number of seats and only release them 24 hours before departure. The main reasoning behind this is to do with the weight and balance of the aircraft (too complicated!!). Also, several companies, like Expedia, get a certain seat allocation (which they can sell at whatever price they like) and no doubt, you have been given the last of their seat allocation on the plane...hence being middle seats and not together. Check in on line 24 hours before departure and you will get seats together. It is very rare that families are split up on long haul flights, the staff will do their best to help you.

Have a lovely time in South Africa, it is my favourite place in the world!!!

jenny-wren

Thanks. I'll try phoning Virgin first but failing that I'll try to find somewhere with internet access so we can check in online the day before we come home.

I have to say I'm so excited about the trip ... and the fact that it'll be warm and hopefully sunny!

:j

sgm6670

South Africa is at it's best this time of year. The flora and fauna is simply stunning and the temperatures are gorgeous, so I wouldn't have any concerns there. I got married in the month of October and it was beautiful. You are so lucky!!

dzug1

In a similar circumstance (but different airline) I e-mailed expedia and they changed the seats (or asked the airline to do so ), no problem

springclean

don't want to be negative, but don't just assume you will be seated together. we booked 4 premium economy flights to LA last year, 11 months in advance and £4300 in total, and booked 4 seats together (2 x 2). our booking had been in 2 parts though (1 + 3) as we had virgin points for discounts for 3 of us. fast forward to 6 weeks before our holiday, and a quick check of our booking showed us being moved to 3 in the middle row, and 1 out of sight.

Virgin were rubbish from start to finish - on the phone, to asking for help at check in, and every point there on. i eventually spent 11 hours in between 2 total strangers behind my kids and partner - and only because some other passengers helped out. The way back was the same, with thoughtful passengers helping so we could sit 2 together, although not in sight of each other.

i had been a big Virgin fan prior, but no more. i no longer have any Virgin service, and i had the lot.

good luck though. let's hope they have resolved their service issues.