GENERAL SEATING INFORMATION

Here at Virgin Atlantic, we understand that most families and travelling groups want to sit together. You can either pre-assign your seats through your local reservations office at the time of making your booking, or if you have made your booking online please log into the 'Manage Your Flights' section of our website - all you need is your booking reference/e-ticket number.

As it is not always possible to pre-allocate seats, you might find it useful to read our FAQs to find out more about this.

We will try to accommodate your requests for seating in accordance with your needs and in line with applicable regulatory requirements.

Please note - seat numbers cannot be guaranteed due to operational, safety or security requirements.

Seats with moveable armrests can be found on all Virgin Atlantic aircraft in the Economy cabin. These seats permit a side to side transfer so are recommended for passengers who will use an onboard wheelchair.

On our 747-400 fleet, 5 aircraft primarily operating our Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow routes have moveable armrest seats in rows 26C-27C / 29C-37C / 30H-37H and 31DG-37DG only.

Armrests are fixed at the bulkhead and exit rows in the Economy cabin as both the tray table and entertainment systems are built into the armrests. In Premium Economy the tray table is built into the armrests and in our Upper Class Suite seat there are fixed panels between each seat.

In accordance with Civil Aviation Authority safety requirements, seats in the emergency exit rows cannot be pre-allocated and assigned to passengers:

• who are not reasonably fit and able bodied.
  
• whose mobility is reduced by reason of physical or intellectual disability, including passengers whose hearing or sight is impaired.
  
• who are unable to move quickly and may obstruct the exits, impede the crew in their duties, obstruct access to emergency equipment or hinder the evacuation of the aircraft.

Bulkhead seat armrests are fixed and therefore do not permit a side to side transfer from the onboard wheelchair to the seat.

Whilst bulkhead seats do give some additional knee room, they do not give additional legroom due to the bulkhead wall in front.

Please visit Economy and Premium Economy, for more information about seating onboard.

We know that our passengers come in all shapes and sizes, and that sometimes, passengers of a larger stature may need an extra seat in order to travel safely and in comfort. It is for this reason that we ask passengers who cannot lower both armrests to book the appropriate number of seats at time of reservation.

For more information about our policy, please see our FAQs below.

I am a person of larger stature, how do I know if I need an extra seat?

If you are unable to sit with the armrests down and/or compromise any part of the adjacent seat, you need to book an extra seat. For further information about the dimensions between armrests, please contact your local reservations office.

I am a larger person and use an extension seatbelt - do I need an extra seat?

The use of an extension seat belt does not necessarily mean that you need to book an extra seat. If you can sit with both armrests lowered without encroaching on adjacent seat space, you do not need an extra seat.

I’m pregnant, do I need an extra seat?

No, there is no need for pregnant passengers to buy an extra seat.

How much will I pay for an extra seat?

The cost of an extra seat will be calculated at the lowest available applicable fare at the time of booking. You will not pay any passenger taxes, fees, charges or surcharges on the extra seat.

I am a larger person but can fit in one seat - will I be asked to buy an extra seat?

No. This policy is not dependent on weight, but on whether you are able to sit in the space between armrests, with the armrests down.

Does your policy discriminate against large passengers?

No, Virgin Atlantic does not discriminate against any of our passengers. As a carrier we are not required to give more than one seat per ticket or to provide accommodation in a class other than the one a passengers holds a ticket for.