charter flights

[smj]

I am booked on Varing Air from Rio to Miami. I am told that this is a charter flight and I will not be able to get a seat assignment ahead. One person told me "It is like a bus. You just get on and find a seat" This seems crazy to me. Why is Oceania using an airline like this? Do they use charters often? I am already paying the $50 air deviation fee!
Steve

[smj]

I am still wondering if anyone else is on Varig. If so have you been able to get seat assignments?
Steve

[shifty]

We are on the 2/2/05 BA to Rio cruise. We paid the $50 pp air deviation charge & selected our own flights - all on American Airlines & of course have seat assignments. The whole purpose of an air deviation (I thought) was to be able to select your own carriers.

Mike S

[raffeer]

Steve - I think the confusion may be traced to the fact that Oceania is using Varig for the charter to/from Manaus (on 3/1). Whoever told you about the "seating arrangments" may have been thinking of that.
Beatrice

[smj]

Mike,
I did ask to fly down early but I did not specify an airline. I just did not know that sometimes seat assingments are not given. I have learned a lesson. I hope to meet you on board. We leave Friday. It should be a great cruise.
Steve

[Bugeye]

I believe that we are all on the chartered Varig Flight on 3/1. Oceania explained that we would receive seat assignments when we check in at Manaus. When I checked to see if there were any flights from that city to Miami, I came up with nothing. That explains the charter flight. It won't take much for the service to be better than on the bankrupt US airlines we frequent.

We will be staying overnight in Miami because of the late arrival. I guess there is no way to avoid it.

We are coming into Rio on AA 0905 from Miami. Do you have the same flight?

Karen and Jim Cove Point, MD. Cabin 8001