Requesting Seats with Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic are making some improvements to their seat assignment process, which means they're restricting the number of seats that can be allocated in advance, throughout the period of development. Virgin Atlantic will only be able to offer advanced seat selection for flights departing before 01 November 2012 in every cabin. They'll add any updates on progress to their website: www.virgin-atlantic.com and when the system changes have been completed, they will once again open up seat assignment to 336 days before each flight.
Please don't forget that seats will be available to select on every flight, when check-in opens (this is at -24 hours for mobile and on-line check in). In exceptional circumstances some seat allocations may be moved due to operational requirements.
ESTA - Electronic System for Travel Authorization
It is mandatory for anyone travelling to or transferring through the US under the Visa Waiver Program, to obtain approval to travel no later than 72 hours prior to travel by completing an online process ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) scheme. The cost of an ESTA is currently approx $14 per person and can be obtained by visiting https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov or the Visit USA Website at www.visitusa.org.uk where further information on the scheme and up to date fee can also be found. Once completed & approved, the ESTA application is valid for two years and allows multiple visits without the need to reapply. Travellers can apply for an ESTA even if they have no firm plans to travel to the US.
Failure to obtain an ESTA could result in the passenger being denied boarding by the airline.
The ESTA is very similar to the automated visa that you purchase to enter Australia and is completely paperless.
Secure Flight details - US travel
We've been advised of a new initiative being introduced by the American Government that all customers travelling to the USA are now required to provide certain information about all passengers prior to departure, this programme is called Secure Flight.
This means that the airline(s) needs to have the following information for all passengers on their system before departure:
- Full names with titles as they appear on your passports
- Dates of birth
- Gender
Please note: If you are travelling on more than one airline, you will need to provide Secure Flight Information to each airline.
If you are travelling with Virgin Atlantic these details have automatically been provided, however any other airline you are travelling with will need this information.
Please note: This is an additional requirement to the ESTA information.
This information is mandatory and needs to be provided by you, direct to the airline at least 72 hours prior to your departure, although we advise to do this as soon as possible. Failure to provide this Secured Flight information may result in you and your party being denied boarding.
To complete this information you will need to go directly onto your airlines website and complete the information. To do this you will need your Flight booking locator.
To ensure you have all the correct documentation for access in to the USA its imperative you and any member of your party complete the secure information at least 72 hours before your scheduled departure date - you'll need to complete this even if you're only transiting through the USA.
For further information please read our FAQs section here.