Virgin Atlantic to charge for seat selection
Virgin Atlantic is to start charging economy passengers to pre-select seats from next year.
The airline said the charges, £50 ($82) for a round-trip flight, will be introduced from April 1 on Gatwick-Las Vegas flights.
The charges will apply on other UK-US routes from June 1, and other worldwide routes out of the UK from May 1.
The exception is UK-Tokyo, which will remain exempt from the charge.
Seat selection can be made on most routes 336 days in advance to passengers prepared to pay the fee; those who wait until check-in opens will be able to choose from the seats that are left, which might mean parents travelling with young children risk being separated on a long-haul flight.
However, a statement on the Virgin Atlantic website says: "Don’t worry, if you’re flying with children, we always make sure they sit next to a parent or adult guardian. We’ll also always make sure you get a seat most suitable for your needs if you’re a disabled passenger.
A spokeswoman said all passengers will still be able to reserve a seat free of charge when online check-in opens 24 hours before departure, but if they want to select a specific seat any earlier they will have to pay.
The charges will only apply to Virgin’s long-haul services; seat selection on Little Red domestic flights will remain free.
A note on Virgin’s website says frequent flyers won’t be able to pay for seat selection using Miles or Miles Plus money, but the airline hopes to be able to offer this facility shortly.
Rival British Airways already charges a £25 per flight (£50 return) if passengers want to select their seats on long-haul flights.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season