booking mix of economy light & classic

[Hula Doola]

Am looking for ways to reduce the cost of our flights for May 2020, and wondered whether it would be worth booking a mix of Economy light and economy classic (Virgin) for our family of 2a and 2c. We could easily manage with just 2 checked in suitcases and carry on. If we book the 2a at economy classic and choose our seats as the middle two of a four across the centre and book the 2c (9 and 11yrs) as economy light they should be then allocated the two seats either side of us as they have to be sat close by us. The worst I think that might happen is that they end up in a seat one in front/behind or across the aisle from us. In which case we can just seat in whichever of the four seats we end up with suits us best in terms of configuration. Anyone tried doing this? We're relatively novice flyers so interested to know if you can see any flaws with this plan? Other option is to book 4 x economy light and add two extra cases but then we don't get any advance seat allocation.

[Dianemc2000]

Originally Posted by Hula Doola

Am looking for ways to reduce the cost of our flights for May 2020, and wondered whether it would be worth booking a mix of Economy light and economy classic (Virgin) for our family of 2a and 2c. We could easily manage with just 2 checked in suitcases and carry on. If we book the 2a at economy classic and choose our seats as the middle two of a four across the centre and book the 2c (9 and 11yrs) as economy light they should be then allocated the two seats either side of us as they have to be sat close by us. The worst I think that might happen is that they end up in a seat one in front/behind or across the aisle from us. In which case we can just seat in whichever of the four seats we end up with suits us best in terms of configuration. Anyone tried doing this? We're relatively novice flyers so interested to know if you can see any flaws with this plan? Other option is to book 4 x economy light and add two extra cases but then we don't get any advance seat allocation.

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Your kids would actually be on a separate reservation so therefore airline has no obligation to sit them anywhere near you as they don’t know you are a party of 4, I would suggest you either book 4 Economy classic & choose all your seats together or take the risk at being allocated at check in & all book Economy light

[Guest]

You would have to do two separate bookings so I don't think you could book the two children as the two economy lights on one booking. The airline would not need to sit them with you as they would be unconnected to you in the booking system.

You would need to book one adult and one child as economy light and the other adult and child as economy. The four of you probably would not be together but you would have each child with an adult.

[thatdavieguy]

Haven't looked into it but can you pay to reserve seats on economy light?

If so, you could pay to select your seats for the EL bookings but i'd imagine that in the grand scheme of things you would end up paying as much as the EC fare overall so any saving wiped out.

[Hula Doola]

Thanks for your replies - of course the flaw in the plan is that they would be two separate bookings so not then seated together - felt there was something I was missing, and this was the right place to ask!
Was trying to be proactive but will go back to keeping my fingers crossed for a Sept sale and flights coming down a little bit for half term!

[Hula Doola]

Originally Posted by thatdavieguy

Haven't looked into it but can you pay to reserve seats on economy light?

If so, you could pay to select your seats for the EL bookings but i'd imagine that in the grand scheme of things you would end up paying as much as the EC fare overall so any saving wiped out.

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I agree with your thinking on this - thanks though always helpful to have other people's thoughts on the possibilities for keeping costs down and the practicalities of these.

[lizzie145]

have you looked at other airlines as some quote the price and then you add the bags required

what is the difference in price for light and classic?
what are your dates and where from

[Hula Doola]

I have been looking daily for flights since they opened up and am keen to stick with virgin or BA (only prefer virgin as you get the free seat allocation). We're flying either 16th-30th May or 17th-31st May, probably the latter as its likely to be cheaper. Direct from LGW-MCO. Currently Classic is just over £2000 and light is just over £1500. Am hoping for closer to £1500 for classic but may be being unrealistic? And of course am aware that the longer I hold out the fewer seats are available and so the prices may go up - it seems that buying DIY flights is a test of nerves!

[lizzie145]

there seems to be limited availabilty - perhaps you could ask on "the is my flight full thread"

you can book seats on light for a cost so perhaps this is an option to consider

use the refine search button as this will show prices, it may be better going a day earlier or for 13 nights.

do a dummy booking for seat availability

[muzland]

Couple of options here for you.

1) Book 4 economy light and then add 2 cases onto the booking.
2) Call them and explain what you want to do with the online prices. They are usually very helpful.

Both of the options above would get you all on the same booking and sitting together.