Virgin's 737s SYD->PER

[Mania]

Hi all,

I'm not sure if this is general knowledge or not, but it seems Virgin's running 737s on VA 565 SYD->PER at the moment. I'm currently booked on the completely sold out flight 3rd March flight, with the last seats going for $1200+ a ticket when I checked earlier today.

I'm rather disappointed with that - I would have much rather flown on the A330 leaving 2.5hrs later (VA569) and would have booked it had I known, with tickets on that flight currently $397 - but of course Virgin's website doesn't list the aircraft when booking, so I knew no better. Have since canceled an UpgradeMe Bid, on realising, seeing as it doesn't seem worth it for 737 business.

So anyway, it seems to me that Virgin and I would both mutually benefit from moving my two tickets to VA569. They free up two seats on a completely booked aircraft (with seat prices to match), we get a flight on a plane we'd prefer, with us being indifferent on time. Problem is, the one person I've spoken to on the phone can't offer us anything other than a $230 change fee.

I realise I'm probably dreaming, but considering Virgin would make some $2000 reselling these tickets I thought I'd just see if anyone has any suggestions/ever had any luck getting a more reasonable deal in a similar situation before? It's just frustrating me that we can both benefit from the fare swap, but it's not going to happen at this point. Any thoughts?

tldr; On completely sold out 737 transcon, would prefer cheaper A330 tickets, Virgin want $230 to swap, am whinging online about it.

 

[jneufeld]

I'm rather disappointed with that - I would have much rather flown on the A330 leaving 2.5hrs later (VA569) and would have booked it had I known, with tickets on that flight currently $397 - but of course Virgin's website doesn't list the aircraft when booking, so I knew no better.

Certainly does show aircraft type at time of booking. Also seat map would have shown as 3-3 not 2-4-2.

 

[Mania]

I was just thinking about the seat map (thanks for pointing out flight details), I'm surprised I didn't notice that the seat layout wasn't 2-4-2, particularly as the outgoing would have been. We booked these seats 6 months ago, is it possible that they've changed the aircraft since then? We're also apparently seated apart from each other which surprises me if I selected seats, but I cannot find the original email to see if that's changed since I booked it.

 

[jneufeld]

I was just thinking about the seat map (thanks for pointing out flight details), I'm surprised I didn't notice that the seat layout wasn't 2-4-2, particularly as the outgoing would have been. We booked these seats 6 months ago, is it possible that they've changed the aircraft since then? We're also apparently seated apart from each other which surprises me if I selected seats, but I cannot find the original email to see if that's changed since I booked it.

It is most likely that they have changed equipment on you since your date of booking and thus explaining why you have been split up. Do you hold any status with VA? If so I would be pleading my case with them that you are not being provided with what you originally purchased and try and get them to swap flights for no charge.

 

[Mania]

This flight will get me to Silver, so hardly any status.

I'll try my luck on the phone tomorrow, my mic dropped out last time with the lady asking me to call back. I won't hold my breath though.

EDIT: We have been moved by VA, we have different seats to what I'd messaged my friend at booking time. So maybe I do have a leg to stand on.

 

[Bagpuss]

I'm not sure if this is general knowledge or not, but it seems Virgin's running 737s on VA 565 SYD->PER at the moment. I'm currently booked on the completely sold out flight 3rd March flight, with the last seats going for $1200+ a ticket when I checked earlier today.

Hi, I'm on this flight on this date. I booked on 10th July 2013 and yes at this stage it was already a B737. I expected it to have been upgraded to an A330 by now as Virgin used to keep saying Syd> Per would be all A330 by end of 2013. Obviously it didn't happen.

It being a long weekend in Perth and Sydney Mardi Gras would make this a popular date I'm sure if this was one of days to make the service A330 I'm sure they would have.

 

[markis10]

Hi, I'm on this flight on this date. I booked on 10th July 2013 and yes at this stage it was already a B737. I expected it to have been upgraded to an A330 by now as Virgin used to keep saying Syd> Per would be all A330 by end of 2013. Obviously it didn't happen.

It being a long weekend in Perth and Sydney Mardi Gras would make this a popular date I'm sure if this was one of days to make the service A330 I'm sure they would have.

Virgin have said all A330 weekdays, being a long weekend it's. It a weekday as such, hence the 737 as there is no business traffic driving the need.

 

[Mania]

markis10, whilst that would make sense, the 737 is flying VA565 every single day through to the 17th of March. I'd link flightmapper, but the forum won't yet let me. Also the fact that every single seat had sold a week out from departure would indicate to me that Virgin's misjudged the demand, at least a bit .

bagpuss, darn - that means it must have been a 737 when I booked. Can't believe I overlooked that.. and still no idea how I ended up separated in the cabin from my partner :/.

 

[markis10]

markis10, whilst that would make sense, the 737 is flying VA565 every single day through to the 17th of March. I'd link flightmapper, but the forum won't yet let me. Also the fact that every single seat had sold a week out from departure would indicate to me that Virgin's misjudged the demand, at least a bit .

Fair enough, they must not be able to supply an A332 to cover it, they are going through heavy Maint at present.

 

[Mania]

Makes sense, that was my guess.

Anyway, as expected no luck changing for < $230 odd. To me, a bit of a missed opportunity there for Virgin - if you have a sold out plane, it makes sense to me to offer minimal ($35 admin) or zero charge changes to same fare class on same day flights, freeing up another couple of last seats for Virgin to sell at > $1000 each. That is, when the current ticket price of the current flight exceeds the ticket price of the desired price by some huge amount, why not use that figure in their calcs instead of purchase ticket price of current flight vs current ticket price of desired flight?

It is what it is I guess though, just annoying in that it seems non-optimal to me.

 

[ywwol]

There are no guarantees that they can sell the seat. Perhaps if you can find a buyer for them.
Terms and conditions exist so that people don't say that person got treatment x and I got treatment Y and it was inequitable.
I heard that plane downgrades have been occurring because loads are all over the place. Some days all flights are full, some days they struggle to sell 100 seats.

 

[PlutekPlutek]

At what point during the booking process do you get to see the seat maps?

 

[a330j]

Before you pay I think

 

[Bagpuss]

To me, a bit of a missed opportunity there for Virgin - if you have a sold out plane

Well I dunno about you as I said I'm on the same flight on the same day and received confirmation that our Upgrade bid was successful!

That has freed up two seats (next to each other) in economy.

FYI we booked this flight when it was on special and got our upgrade for under $400. So each it's worked out at about $520 each in business .... Whilst naturally we don't get the points I think it's a total bargain!!

This is the second time ee've used and been successful with Upgrade bidding.

 

[PlutekPlutek]

Well I dunno about you as I said I'm on the same flight on the same day and received confirmation that our Upgrade bid was successful!

That has freed up two seats (next to each other) in economy.

FYI we booked this flight when it was on special and got our upgrade for under $400. So each it's worked out at about $520 each in business .... Whilst naturally we don't get the points I think it's a total bargain!!

This is the second time ee've used and been successful with Upgrade bidding.

$400 to upgrade one way from Saver to Business or from Flexi to Business?

 

[markis10]

At what point during the booking process do you get to see the seat maps?

Clicking on the flight number will show the aircraft

 

[Bagpuss]

$400 to upgrade one way from Saver to Business or from Flexi to Business?

Under $400 and it was a saver fare which was also in a heavily discounted sale.

 

[PlutekPlutek]

Clicking on the flight number will show the aircraft

I think It will tell you if it is a 737 or an A330 but not if it's the XFA or XFB.

 

[markis10]

I think It will tell you if it is a 737 or an A330 but not if it's the XFA or XFB.

Seat map won't help unless its a week or so out.

 

[Bagpuss]

I think It will tell you if it is a 737 or an A330 but not if it's the XFA or XFB.

Selected our business class seats ... It's not scheduled to be XFA or B. Wahoo

Though you never know which a330 until you start boarding (as it can even change prior to boarding).