When is a window seat not a window seat?

[delt1c]

Answer: When you buy online.
Just went to buy a 1st class return from London on a Pendolino. Found the right train and price and then ticked the box for window seat facing. Couldnt believe it when I saw the seats allocated , Both ways had the only 1st class seats without a window. Just as well i noted it before proceeding to the payment page, would have been well p****d of looking at a solid panel all the way.

 

[yorkie]

A seat is either a 'window' seat or an 'aisle' seat; that doesn't mean that there will be an actual view out of the window when you book a 'window' seat

Maybe there should be a third classification of seat type!

 

[ChrisTheRef]

But all seats in first class have a view on Pendos

 

[delt1c]

Checking the seat plans coach H seats 2 & 8 have limited / view. check link below

http://www.v-flyer.com/pendolino.asp

 

[philjo]

If booking Pendolino seats online there is an additional "view" option that you need to select in your seat preferences in order to actually be able to see out of the window from your seat.

I do find that if booking just one ticket, even if you ask for a window seat on East coast you often get allocated seat 41 on IC225 stock which has a wonderful view of a pillar unless you twist yourself round to face the other way.
Personally I think that it would make it easier if selecting "window" when booking actually meant you could see out of it from your seat.

 

[Lee_Again]

You should be able to select the seat/s you want, in the coach you want, from a 'proper' plan; rather like checking in for flight. Whoever has responsibility for this is clearly a 'can't do' person as opposed to a 'can do' person; just like most of the rail industries senior management.

 

[delt1c]

Well just tried another 2 times, unbelievable, one gave me both journeys backwards despite asking for facing, next time gave the same seat in both directions 12K, now I was unaware of any Pendelinos being turned at the destination so how can that be facing both ways.
Will try Virgins own web site when it is running again, currently cant log in to Virgin trains

 

[Dreadnought]

Its just the same in Std Class when booking on the Virgin website. Ask for a window and always get a pillar even if it is the only seat reserved in the whole carriage :roll:.

I actually used the Contact Us section on the Virgin website to ask about this. The reply basically said that because I was booking cheap advanced tickets these were the first seats allocated!!

As a consequence I rarely ever sit in the seat allocated and instead locate one with a view more akin to the one required whether forward or backward facing.

 

[GodAtum]

You should be able to select the seat/s you want, in the coach you want, from a 'proper' plan; rather like checking in for flight. Whoever has responsibility for this is clearly a 'can't do' person as opposed to a 'can do' person; just like most of the rail industries senior management.

Exactly, surely it's simple to have a system where you can do this!

 

[Helvellyn]

Booking a window seat on an airline doesn't guarantee a window either. Maybe they should use aisle or non-aisle. :roll:

 

[Chris-P]

Booking a window seat on an airline doesn't guarantee a window either. Maybe they should use aisle or non-aisle. :roll:

Virgin now has a "view" option, guaranteeing you get a view out of the window.On my last trip I got a rear facing table seat, next to a window, with a view and power socket just by chosing those options!

 

[GodAtum]

Virgin now has a "view" option, guaranteeing you get a view out of the window.On my last trip I got a rear facing table seat, next to a window, with a view and power socket just by chosing those options!

But why can you only choose using options instead of picking an exact seat from a seat plan?

 

[Chris-P]

But why can you only choose using options instead of picking an exact seat from a seat plan?

I agree it's stupid :P but still, at least having the "view" option is better than nothing!

 

[Olympian]

But why can you only choose using options instead of picking an exact seat from a seat plan?

You can already pick from a seating plan on the Cross Country website, but only for their own trains. Wish other TOCs would follow suit.

 

[Dreadnought]

Virgin now has a "view" option, guaranteeing you get a view out of the window.On my last trip I got a rear facing table seat, next to a window, with a view and power socket just by chosing those options!

When does the "view" option appear as everytime I use the Virgin website the only options I get are for Window or Aisle seat, Quiet coach, power socket and table.

 

[Chris-P]

When does the "view" option appear as everytime I use the Virgin website the only options I get are for Window or Aisle seat, Quiet coach, power socket and table.

It appeared for me on eastcoast, when booking a virgin train, but not when booking other TOC's trains :/, thought it was a virgin thing!

 

[defitzi]

You should be able to select the seat/s you want, in the coach you want, from a 'proper' plan; rather like checking in for flight. Whoever has responsibility for this is clearly a 'can't do' person as opposed to a 'can do' person; just like most of the rail industries senior management.

bravo- management please copy and act!:

 

[Tom B]

You should be able to select the seat/s you want, in the coach you want, from a 'proper' plan; rather like checking in for flight. Whoever has responsibility for this is clearly a 'can't do' person as opposed to a 'can do' person; just like most of the rail industries senior management.

Exactly - when I have booked AP tickets at stations they have been able to select any given seat, so why can't passengers do this?

 

[yorkie]

Exactly - when I have booked AP tickets at stations they have been able to select any given seat, so why can't passengers do this?

Either because Thetrainline/Atos Origin aren't interested in developing such a system, or because ATOC don't want them to.... I really don't know which it is, but I'd guess at the former.

 

[philjo]

You can select the exact seat you want when booking Eurostar tickets via their website (you are shown a seating plan & you then click on an available seat to select it though can't remember if you can first choose which coach you are in).

 

[Magicake]

Crosscountry let you choose your seat from a seating plan when booking on their own website. They let you know if you choose a seat on the window side without a good window view as well.