Virgin extra leg room

martinsmoneysaver1984

If anyone could help, I would be most grateful:)

I am due to fly to NY with Virgin on Tuesday:j with my partner who is 6'4. I have researched extra leg room options and understand it is possible to pay extra for this which we are more than happy to do so he flys comfortably! However, we have booked via Thomas Cook and on the Virgin website it says you can only book extra leg room in advance if you booked directly with them . So my question is, has anyone booked at the airport on the day or is it all going to be sold out before we get there?

Once again, I would be most grateful for any advice. Thank you

delwynshd

Have you booked flight only with Thomas Cook or is it a Virgin Holidays package?

Thanks
Del

bearacus

In my experience , it seems Only people who have booked directly with virgin Atlantic can book the extra legroom in advance.
We are booked with virgin cruise and have the same problem as my husband is 6 8 . We tried several calls to virgin but they were unable to do anything. We ended up paying premium economy just in case we couldn't get it at the airport ( I'm a worrier though, so this made me feel better)

Apparently seats are held back and can be purchased at the airport but I didn't want to take the chance.

Bearacus x

martinsmoneysaver1984

Thank you for your replies. I have booked with Thomas Cook Signature. We did request Virgin flights but I dont think the package is with Virgin themselves.

I too am a worrier and am now considering upgrading to PE.

Once again, thanks for your replies. I will let you know how I get on once I am back.

delwynshd

Yeah as Bearacus says only flights booked direct with Virgin Atlantic would this then be possible

Even us here at Virgin Holidays are unable to book extra legroom seats for customers and it must be done at the airport

Thanks
Del

silvercar

So my question is, has anyone booked at the airport on the day or is it all going to be sold out before we get there?

I've been offered it at check-in and again at the gate. So it does happen, but no guarantees.

ferf1223

silvercar wrote: »

I've been offered it at check-in and again at the gate. So it does happen, but no guarantees.

Us too sometimes at check-in, though never at the gate...I assume the times we haven't is because there was no availability...I would get to check in as early as possible to have any chance.

On some Virgin flights there are 2 types of extra legroom - some at the back of the plane which have seats in front of them, just more room than most, and the exit row and bulkhead seats with no seats in front...in our experience the exit row seats are the more expensive of the two options, but sometimes (not sure if it is always) they don't charge for the window seat as part of the aircraft comes out in front of that seat and it takes away some of the benefit...but if you are short and he is tall, may be an option for you to take the window and him to take the middle if it's offered.

stoneman

But it is only a 7 hour flight, it will fly by (see what I did there). I assume you do not have access to the online checkin facility with Virgin, because you can book exit row seats up to 3 days in advance now, (used to be only available at counter checkin). I don't know how much PE is to NY but you can bet it won't be cheap to book through an agent. To Vegas it is an extra cost of £250 each one way at the ticket counter if there is spare. IMO if it were that price to NY I would give it a miss. Oh and don't pay for bulkhead seats, there is very little extra legroom, unlike exit row or the legroom seats at the back where you can at least stretch your legs out under the seat in front

martinsmoneysaver1984

I do have access to online check in, however, in the faq:

"Q Can I select an exit row seat?
A Exit row seats are held for assignment at airport check in only, as passengers wishing to sit in these seats must be physically capable of carrying out the associated responsibilities. We must be able to see a passenger’s physical condition before assigning them an exit row seat. On most routes, these seats can be purchased for a fee on arrival at the airport."

but it also says:

"Our Extra Leg Room or Exit Row Seats can be purchased when you check in at the airport on the day you travel. Alternatively, if you have booked through the Virgin Atlantic website or our contact centre, you can now also book these seats by simply calling us on 0844 209 7310 up to 2 days before you travel. All our Extra Leg Room and Exit Row seats are offered on a first come first serve basis and subject to availability."

Which is why I wondered what other people's experiences have been. Fingers crossed as we will be aiming to get to the airport as early as poss we might have a chance of getting one. As you say it is only 7 hours and it is not going to ruin the holiday if we dont get one. Thank you so much for all of your replies .:)

ferf1223

stoneman wrote: »

Oh and don't pay for bulkhead seats, there is very little extra legroom, unlike exit row or the legroom seats at the back where you can at least stretch your legs out under the seat in front

Agree in principle, but we would still take the bulkhead seats over regular economy seats just because you have no one in front of you to recline all the way back and crush your knees for 7 hours.