I was recently flying a trans-continental flight from the east-coast to the west-coast on Virgin Australia. I had booked the ticket with seat selection months in advance to get a window seat.
At the last minute when I scanned my ticket at the gate, I was told there was a seat change as there were families on board that wanted to sit together so I got moved to a middle seat without being offered any compensation.
I personally think that poor planning on someone else’s part shouldn’t constitute an emergency or loss on mine as this was an almost 5hr flight. If they wanted to change me it should have been to an equivalent (such as another window) or better seat. Otherwise, some other form of compensation should have been offered.
My question is, has this happened to anyone else and what happened when it did?
EDIT: I would also like to add that the family that was in my seat was all well in their mid-20s at least and did not have young children which definitely added to my frustration.
Updates:
01/11/2024 - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/874444#comment-15873272
02/11/2024 - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/874444#comment-15876083
04/11/2024 - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/874444?page=1#comment-1588…
07/11/2024 - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/874444?page=2#comment-1589…
11/11/2024 - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/874444?page=2#comment-1590… (Final Update and Resolution)
Did you pay extra line item for that seat specifically? If so, definitely entitled to compensation or refund.
If not, and it’s just a normal advance seat booking as part of overall ticke, then most airlines claim there’s no guarantee to them and they may change you for operational reasons. It sucks, but what to do.