Virgin America seat selection

[eLiu]

Hey guys,
I'm trying to book a flight on Virgin America. They're letting me select a regular 'coach' fare but then the only seats available are main cabin select. If I choose one of those, they want to bill me an extra $500.

It also leaves me the option of moving forward without selecting a seat.

Will I get screwed if I just don't pick a seat? i.e., will I just end up in whatever empty seat when I check in or will they refuse to let me check in unless I pay extra for cabin select?

TIA!

 

[AmdEmAll]

If there are no seats available they are taken... you can get on standby for someones seat if they don't show up. Don't pay the extra for the little bigger seat.

 

[Garet Jax]

If there are no seats available they are taken... you can get on standby for someones seat if they don't show up. Don't pay the extra for the little bigger seat.

Not quite true. Airlines will hold back certain seats for certain reasons (special seats with extra room for handicapped people or exit rows for their frequent flyers). What you know is that the flight is very close to being sold out or is already sold out. If you buy a ticket with no seat assignment, then you are almost guaranteed to be able to take that flight. In an oversell situation, the airline will make progressively more attractive offers to have someone give up their seat. Once enough people give thier seats up, you will be given whatever is left which will almost certainly be a middle seat between two 320+ pound offensive linemen right at the back.

I would still not pay extra for the more expensive seats. If they aren't sold, then they will be given away to the frequent flyers whose seats will now go to the people with tickets, but no assigned seats.

 

[The Stigenator]

youre fine, they will assign you a seat if you arent picky.. as long as you have a valid ticket.

 

[eLiu]

Ok, thanks guys! Yeah there's no way I'm paying an extra $500... that's more than double the cost of the ticket!