Virgin Australia 777 Seat Selection

[LiamR]

Hi All,

I'm venturing over the pacific with Virgin Australia Long Haul later this month in Economy, it's been a while since I've flown on the 777 and can't quiet remember the best seats in Economy. Can any AFF'ers with any recent experience provide any tips?

I'm currently in 20H, which seems alight, but I think this is where the might also sit small children? Is this true? I like the idea of the small mini cabin at the front.

Should I try and talk my way into an exit row at checkin? Would that be better or should I just stick with the front row of Y.

http://www.seatguru.com/en_US/img/2...stralia/Virgin_Australia_Boeing_777-300ER.gif

 

[rsellens]

Row 20 has restricted leg room, the tray tables are in the armrests making them immovable and the seats a bit narrower. There is no room for floor luggage. It is also a bassinet row. This info is on seatguru. You are WP so try to change online or ring them. Also, you could be moved anyway if VA wants the seat for a family with a baby.

 

[MadFairlane]

I had 20a/b on the way over and they were fine... 20c had more llegroom as no bulkhead immediately in front.

25 was ok too I thought as it was a row of 2. But close to the loo.

Most of the smaller front section is pretty good

 

[drewbles]

Row 20 has restricted leg room, the tray tables are in the armrests making them immovable and the seats a bit narrower. There is no room for floor luggage. It is also a bassinet row. This info is on seatguru. You are WP so try to change online or ring them. Also, you could be moved anyway if VA wants the seat for a family with a baby.

I tend to actively disregard a lot of info that is placed on 'recommended' seats on seat guru these days. Airlines tend to swap things around so often, they're often out of date. In addition, they often list bulkheads as 'recommended' seats, and being over 6', bulkheads are often not good for leg room at all.

I would opt for exit row Liam, or any aisle. I did MEL-LAX the other week in second row Y Aisle on VA, and it was ok (but I couldn't cope on the return and upgraded to Y+ which is just a better level of affordable comfort)

 

[MandM]

20H is a pretty good seat, the bulkhead is not an issue, plus it is nice to not have to wait to get off the plane after 16 hours, and also gives you a chance to get a jump on the other Y travellers at customs and immigration.
If you do opt for exit row go for the window seat as it is a little more secluded and you don't have the trolley running over your toes, or those stretching their legs/waiting for the loos standing in your space.
The only issue with those two options is that the seat is a little narrower as the tables are in the arm rests. If you don't have long legs one of the middle block aisle seats with a blocked seat next to you can be a good option. My last two flights (Mel-lax-Mel) I have been upgraded to Y+ one way and the other offered exit row or blocked seat next to me. I hope your plat status offers you the same fortune (or more) as my gold status did!

 

[LiamR]

Checkin staff told me there is an infant two seats across and asked if I'd like to move to an exit row. Moved to 26C with 26B blocked off. No upgrade but I'm happy with the result.

 

[Jamesl]

I've booked 14a on the way over and 14k on the way back

 

[pythonisman]

26C isn't a bad seat. I had 26D LAX-SYD a couple of weeks ago, and there was plenty of room even with the bulkhead, but C has nothing in front.
On the plane I had 26A had no recline though, and I think the bloke in that seat got bumped up to another class as he was nowhere to be seen a few hours in.

I didn't find the proximity to the toilets to be bothersome at all, especially with a nice set of noise cancelling headphones... Also had an outstanding FA, definitely made it a memorable flight!

 

[LiamR]

The look on my face when I got beeped at the gate was priceless.

 

[smit0847]

I've actually sat in 20H on VA before. Its a bassinet row so there were children all around me.

I personally think there are huge drawbacks for both bulkhead rows and exit rows on aircraft like a 777. On a bulkhead row you are likely to have babies around you which will be restless and may cry for periods of time meaning you won't sleep. You also cant stretch your legs out under the seat in front as there is a wall there instead.

With exit rows yes you get a lot more leg room but they are usually next to the toilets. This means people will congregate around your feet waiting for the bathroom and you will get the lovely sound similar to a jet engine every 3 or so minutes when the toilet is flushed, not to mention a lovely whiff of what was just deposited everytime the door opens. I'm 6"1 and found the legroom perfectly fine on the VA 777. If you can't sleep sitting upright it doesn't matter how much legroom you have or how wide your seat is - all the Y seats will be very similar.

That being said, for day-time flights (i.e. to the US) I choose an aisle seat around rows 30 - 35. This is far away from babies and toilets to escape the sounds and smells but close enough to the front to usually get your choice of meal options. Being in an aisle also allows you to get up and stretch your legs as much as you want. Overnight (i.e. on the way back) I choose a window seat (same rows) so I can sleep without anyone clambering over me.

My experience with VA is that loads to the US are usually fuller than loads on the return.

 

[DSFlyer]

Nice work Liam

 

[robd]

The look on my face when I got beeped at the gate was priceless.

How was row 10? I'm aiming for it in a couple of months (currently blocked for bassinets & status pax, I gather). Would you select it over rows 11 -14?

Congratulations.

 

[MandM]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I was about to start one with the same title!
Does anyone have a view on which is the best J seat on the VA 777? After about 10 flights in the last year sitting at the back of the 777 between Mel/SYD and LAX it is time to put all those points to good use for a J reward seat. I'll be traveling solo, and prob just the SYD-LAX leg (back to the back of the plane to return home). First trip ever in J.

 

[robd]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I was about to start one with the same title!
Does anyone have a view on which is the best J seat on the VA 777? After about 10 flights in the last year sitting at the back of the 777 between Mel/SYD and LAX it is time to put all those points to good use for a J reward seat. I'll be traveling solo, and prob just the SYD-LAX leg (back to the back of the plane to return home). First trip ever in J.

Try this -
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-australia-velocity/va-777-j-seats-39279.html

 

[MandM]

Try this -
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-australia-velocity/va-777-j-seats-39279.html

Hmmm, seems my searching abilities leave a lot to be desired Thank you.

 

[LiamR]

How was row 10? I'm aiming for it in a couple of months (currently blocked for bassinets & status pax, I gather). Would you select it over rows 11 -14?

Congratulations.

I liked it, there seemed to be a little more legroom and nobody to recline in your face. The TV was in the armrest which meant it wasn't gate to gate. I didn't find the proximity of bathrooms or bar annoying at all. I'd take it over and further rows any day.

 

[robd]

I liked it, there seemed to be a little more legroom and nobody to recline in your face. The TV was in the armrest which meant it wasn't gate to gate. I didn't find the proximity of bathrooms or bar annoying at all. I'd take it over and further rows any day.

Thanks Liam. Yes, I think that fact that no-one can recline into you is a great plus.

Fingers crossed.

 

[gwilli1]

The look on my face when I got beeped at the gate was priceless.

Hi Liam , what Economy Fare ( Promo / Deal/ Saver or Flexi) were you travelling on ?

I am looking to head to the LAX with VA in Jan '13 and considering if the fare as well as status ( Im Gold )is a factor that comes into consideration when opportunities for a bump up are looked at.

 

[onezero]

Hi Liam , what Economy Fare ( Promo / Deal/ Saver or Flexi) were you travelling on ?

I am looking to head to the LAX with VA in Jan '13 and considering if the fare as well as status ( Im Gold )is a factor that comes into consideration when opportunities for a bump up are looked at.

Sorry to hijack but thought I could help. I flew BNE-LAX-BNE on a Promo (actually a cheaper version of the promo that I got through an agent) and got bumped to Premium BNE-LAX and Business LAX-BNE! Travelling by myself as Plat.

 

[Jamesl]

According to my contacts at Toll dnata, it's based on status then fare type.