Next week I'm flying Virgin Blue and am wanting to know the best seats on their aircraft. What I'm looking for is a window seat with an unobstructed view.  I definitely don't want to sit next to a wall.

I've googled for virgin blue seat maps, but can't find anything. What I did find however is this site, which gives tips on the best rows to sit in on both the 700 and 800. Is this guide correct? (obviously the mention of the DJ A320 is a bit off the mark)

Alternatively does anyone have any suggestions?

I can have a look at some seating plans for you tonight, I believe we may have a PDF file sitting around for both the 737-700 and 737-800s.

1A always the best!

I've had a look at the plans and it reflects pretty much pretty much what that seat site said. 1A is also a good bet ... plus you get heaps of legroom (try not to trip over the Cabin Crew Supervisors though.

Thanks for the help guys. 1A sounds good to me. I suppose that means I'll have to check in extra early...

1A is business, even in the one-class only VirginBlue configuration.  The first few rows seem to get the free OJ and special attention.

Personally for the duration of a domestic of flight I'm not too bothered by seat allocation but acknowledge that some people have special needs to be considered.

Hey there,

from about row 16 and back you will have the wing in your view, also this part of the craft and back, tend's to be noisier as you have the engine noise to tend with.

CHeers

Thanks Gwiwer, I did wonder about that, having never flown Virgin Blue, I'm not really sure how the aircraft are configured. Normally when I fly I end up in the centre of the row in the economy section of a Qantas 767   (but it's been a few years).

mickelaar , I'm not too worried about noise just an unobstructed view as I thought I'd try some in-flight photography. In fact, I like noisy aircraft...

Absolutely   .  From personal experience, from a recent Melbourne trip, it was the closest thing to being in on the flight deck, it gave a fantastic view of Melbourne Airport after taking off and provided a nice quick exit back into Brisbane Airport upon arrival, and ooooer at the leg room !

To get the seat, you need to get there very early.  I arrived about 2 hours before the flight was due to take off.

Guess what seat I'll be asking for next flight   .

Cheers

I always as for an Exit Row window seat. I fly in my own time so the view isn't all that important to me.

Structurally speaking, the centre wingbox is the strongest part of the plane, and if something does go wrong, when we get on the ground I am going to be the first one out that exit, closely followed by the missus. I'm buggered if I am going to stick around waiting for someone else to open the window then get their fat ar$e out.

Not sure about that Business Class thing, as I've ridden in Row 1 plenty of times without getting any extras. Its a one-class jet, you will most probably find anyone past Row 16 is a mix of general passengers and Virgin Blue employees flying on their staff travel or for business.

You can do your own seat allocation within 24 hours of departure. Go to the Virgin Blue web site. You'll need your booking reference.

But bear in mind you can not allocate yourself an exit-row seat. That has to be done at the check-in counter as the airline needs to physically see you and ask you some questions...

I've only had ross 1 & 2 when on connecting flights. Also when doing web checkin for a single person, nothing in front of row 9 exists.

Hmm interesting that coz the only time I have flown with virgin I checked in online each time and for my flight out of Melb I got the last row and on my way home I got seat 2A

I'm pretty sure it depends on what fare you get. The cheaper ones are up the back, and the more expensive ones get the pick out of the front. I checked in like 4 hours early, and it was only letting me view Row 16 and back, where as another time I checked in only 40 minutes early and had Rows 2-15 to pick from I think. The 2-15 pick was a more expensive fare and the Row 16 and back was a sale fare.

I remember 1A, B and C all used to be for those paying an extra $30 along with one row on the emergency exit, then they changed it to first 11 rows are for Blue plus passengers and those travelling on higher fares and the rear for everyone else depending on how full the flight was. Do not know the situation now.

Last time I flew was on a Qantas 737-800 in seat 16A, which is located just over the trailing edge of the wing. It is a good spot, but If you don't mind the noise id even suggest taking a seat a little further back (perhaps 19A-20A) as you will get a better view with less wing in the way but still be able to have the wing in your photographs (which I believe is a good thing as you can take pics with the flaps/spoilers in action).

This is assuming that Virgin's 737-800 has the same seating configuration as Qantas. Also, you could be on the -700 series which has a few less seats (so 16A could be a little bit more over the wing). Im not sure whether Virgin show which aircraft is designated for each flight, I couldn't find it the last time I looked.

Well, I'm not sure. I always use the cheapest available ticket and I've sat in row 1 a couple of times. Plus last time we did a web checkin the whole of the aircraft was viewable from row 1 to 24. We used row 24 for fast ingress/egress via the rear door.

Not just VirginBlue...

http://www.seatguru.com/

I was on Qantas cityflier today, and I can tell you, if you are going to travel on 767-338 type, do NOT book for seat 24A, and 24K as they will be similar to those Xploder seat next to exhaust pipe, no window, just seat against wall