Do Velocity platinums get a shadow seat when flying economy?

[ferntree]

I always found that one of the best benefits of being platinum with Qantas was getting a shadow seat next to you ,\... ie, one blocked out from other passengers when booking.

As far as I can tell, it seems that Virgin doesn't do this. Can anyone confirm?

Thanks.

 

[twinaisle]

I always found that one of the best benefits of being platinum with Qantas was getting a shadow seat next to you ,\... ie, one blocked out from other passengers when booking.

As far as I can tell, it seems that Virgin doesn't do this. Can anyone confirm?

Thanks.

Nope.

 

[ferntree]

Thanks. And boo (but not to you!)

 

[twinaisle]

Thanks. And boo (but not to you!)

Sometimes if the flight isn't full and you're in economy X then you may find you'll have a free seat or even row but it's harder when most flights are full!

 

[ferntree]

Sometimes if the flight isn't full and you're in economy X then you may find you'll have a free seat or even row but it's harder when most flights are full!

Thanks again.

The shadow seat is the only thing I miss from Qantas since taking Virgin's status mtach challenge in Dec 20/Jan 21. In every other aspect that matters to me Virgin wins hands down.

 

[flyingfan]

I've had quite a few flights recently where it's been announced as a "full," "very full" or "completely full" flight, and the Economy X seat next to me is one of or the only vacant one I can see.

So I treat this as a potential but of course not guaranteed benefit.

I thought there'd be many other plats on board given I usually fly the golden triangle - guessing people without status don't want to stump up for Economy X.

 

[SYD]

Sometimes if the flight isn't full and you're in economy X then you may find you'll have a free seat or even row but it's harder when most flights are full!

The faux PE (middle seat vacant in Econ X) was good when it arrived. But there was never a guaranteed shadow

If it’s any consolation, I’ve been invisible (casting no shadow) on recent QF whY flights….

 

[ferntree]

I wonder if this was a while back?

I've been thinking about Economy X more as an option lately, but sneaking looks back from the bourgeois land of J on recent flights they've looked pretty busy.

 

[SYD]

I wonder if this was a while back?

I've been thinking about Economy X more as an option lately, but sneaking looks back from the bourgeois land of J on recent flights they've looked pretty busy.

Everything is pretty busy at the mo. Even Rex.

 

[sudoer]

Everything is pretty busy at the mo. Even Rex.

Echoing this. Shadows are only a thing when flights aren't 100% full.

The 8 triangle flights I've done in the past month (mixture of VA/QF at different times of the day) have all been completely filled.

 

[Stealthflyer]

I seem to get an empty seat next to me quite frequently when the flights aren’t chockers. However it could be a coincidence. I’m usually happy if I get row 3 because its spacious and the solid barriers mean that the person beside me can’t man spread. The complimentary economy X seating is a major benefit of platinum IMHO.

 

[oz_mark]

They sort of do, but doesn't seem to work as well as Qantas. But they do document it

Seat selection

We will always show you the best available seats and if you choose your seat when you book, you will have the most amount of choice available.

www.virginaustralia.com

• Time of booking – we reserve specific zones that are only available for selection for members within the relevant Velocity tiers.
• 48hrs to departure – we release most of the unused seats in the preferred zones for others members and guests.
• 12hrs to departure - we release all unused seats in the preferred zones and, where we can, endeavour to provide a spare seat beside our Platinum Velocity members*.

 

[ferntree]

Thank you ... I missed this when searching the web site! I find it generally strange to navigate.

 

[SYD]

They sort of do, but doesn't seem to work as well as Qantas. But they do document it

Seat selection

We will always show you the best available seats and if you choose your seat when you book, you will have the most amount of choice available.

www.virginaustralia.com

Unfortunately I’ve been on plenty of flights where some nob has plonked themselves in 3B but there was plenty of entire rows empty behind…

 

[oz_ally]

Unfortunately I’ve been on plenty of flights where some nob has plonked themselves in 3B but there was plenty of entire rows empty behind…

Not laughing AT you just the way you said it. But I totally agree - I think "what the frick frack is that about - just spread yourself out like you're supposed to; don't you know the unwritten rules of seat choice?" In the end though - on the flights I'm on all seats are usually full by flight time anyway - but it's the principle.