Virgin Trains advance booking questions

[sn1975]

Hi,

I have a couple of questions regarding advance booking with Virgin Trains.

Firstly, what is the deadline for advance booking?

Secondly, I would like to book one of the single seats around a table in first class ( are they called 1+1 seating? ).
Is it possible to choose one of these seats in the booking process and how likely is it that I will have to share the table with another passenger?

Many thanks.

 

[30907]

Hi,

I have a couple of questions regarding advance booking with Virgin Trains.

Secondly, I would like to book one of the single seats around a table in first class ( are they called 1+1 seating? ).
Is it possible to choose one of these seats in the booking process and how likely is it that I will have to share the table with another passenger?

Many thanks.

Sorry, Virgin don't allow you to choose your exact seat, unlike East Coast; the only way is to make a series of bookings until you get one that suits you, then delete all the others in your basket before you pay. Unfortunately doing that on advance tickets may exhaust the fares at that price level and therefore cost more.

As to having the second seat free, you can't generalise, but IIRC Pendolinos have one or two one - seat tables. There's a seating plan on the Virgin website, as well as, I hope, an answer to your other question.

 

[horizonflame]

I know from experience you can book your chosen seat at Virgin ticket offices - you can look up your advance tickets details online and then book at the ticket office though you may need to be quick!

 

[table38]

One trick to get a single seat in First Class is to book an Aisle Seat with a Power Socket

 

[455driver]

Dont forget to book the other seat as well so you can put your bags/coat there, just to make sure nobody else sits there!

You are in luck if you ever travel on FGW because their refurbished 1st class HST carriages are airline style on the single side so you wont have to suffer the indignation of somebody sitting opposite you.

 

[Squaddie]

Sorry, Virgin don't allow you to choose your exact seat, unlike East Coast; the only way is to make a series of bookings until you get one that suits you, then delete all the others in your basket before you pay. Unfortunately doing that on advance tickets may exhaust the fares at that price level and therefore cost more.

I tried this a couple of days ago, when attempting to book a return ticket from London to Glasgow, but without much success. Time after time, Virgin assigned me seats with no view, seats with limited view or seats opposite the service area. Eventually I had the maximum ten tickets in my basket but still no decent seats so I abandoned the idea.

You are in luck if you ever travel on FGW because their refurbished 1st class HST carriages are airline style on the single side so you wont have to suffer the indignation of somebody sitting opposite you.

I experienced FGW's new first class refurbishment yesterday. It looks very smart indeed, although I don't like the fact that almost all the single seats are airline-style because that makes it very difficult for two to travel comfortably together: the facing single seats were perfect for couples.

All in all, though, it's a long-overdue update to the current blue and grey FGW interior livery, which is now looking very tired and dated. The seats were comfortable and, due to the extended journey times, late running and lack of ticket checks, I managed to grab a long snooze between London and Swansea.

 

[455driver]

due to the extended journey times, late running and lack of ticket checks, I managed to grab a long snooze between London and Swansea.

Got to get your digs in havent you! :roll:

What service were you on, I will look up the reason for the delay!

 

[Squaddie]

Got to get your digs in havent you! :roll:

I'd prefer to think of it as a straightforward observation and even a smiley to show that I wasn't being entirely serious...

 

[455driver]

I have had a quick look at Paddington to Swansea trains for Saturday and apart from one they were all within 10 minutes of time, so bearing in mind your 'delay', which service were you on!

Edit-
Soif we put asmillie on the end we can say whatever we want about anything or anybody then!