Economy X [Domestic free for Platinum] - May 2017

[DavidFlynn]

Does this mean that row 3 can be bought?

Yes (as can rows 4 and 5 on the B737 for example).

 

[DavidFlynn]

I reckon it will be harder to get the Row 3 seat now!

Agreed, you will be up against anybody wishing to buy Yx rather than just other Platinums.

 

[Zerosignal]

Did they shift row 3 forward to get the extra space for row 4 and 5?

 

[serfty]

9" more? with 25 more rows behind, That a realignment of a little over ¹/[sub]3[/sub]" per row.

 

[scwappy]

Did they shift row 3 forward to get the extra space for row 4 and 5?

I think that's what the AUSBT article suggests. It shows a picture of the new row 3, which still has a lot of legroom. Personally I think this is a good move by VA and should provide them with a few extra $$ per flight.

 

[Saab34]

This is the Tiger Airways config in the first 6 rows on the 737 for Tiger Boeings.

Won't take long to implement it can be done on the bay overnight at maintenance bases.

 

[Pleb Status]

9" more? with 25 more rows behind, That a realignment of a little over ¹/[SUB]3[/SUB]" per row.

It is really only six inches more as the legroom in row 3 will remain as is (or even be slightly reduced, hopefully not).

Also, it would appear that the rails in the floor only allow the seats to be adjusted in one inch increments. Therefore the six inches will be removed from six rows or less.

 

[Mr Pumblechook]

That headrest cover is Delta Comfort+ all over!

Unfortunately, they didn't take Delta's lead in their promo pictures and show a vacant seat between two people: https://twitter.com/VirginAustralia/status/847310835391225860/photo/1 demonstrating exactly what I've been saying for years to anybody who'll listen: the seats in 737s, 777s, and 787s are not wide enough to fit adults side-by-side. I'll never pay for extra legroom seats on these aircraft because if I had unlimited legroom but had to lean forward to overlap shoulders with the person next to me, I'm still going to be uncomfortable.

Having said that, I think it's a good idea to gain some revenue and I don't foresee the additional people in the priority lane causing too many issues to WPs - status pax mostly turn up at the last moment while if you've forked out for priority boarding, you'll probably be there from the very moment the flight's called.

 

[DavidFlynn]

I'm told it's a bit of both in the reconfig, including bulkhead behind J nudged forward - apparently the most expensive part of the process was buying new covers to go over the rails (on which the seats are mounted and adjusted for pitch).

 

[Jet L]

Will Economy X be getting priority check-in... I pray they dont because that will just be a nightmare

 

[scwappy]

Will Economy X be getting priority check-in... I pray they dont because that will just be a nightmare

I think they do

 

[Daver6]

I'm surprised at the negativity towards this. I would have though WPs would be really happy with this. More "premium" seats available at no charge to you. So what if someone else can pay for it. You get it for free.

 

[serfty]

Being a WP I reckon it is great ...

 

[davidhes]

To be honest as a WP it doesn't make me overly excited.. I've never had a problem getting row 3 flying out of Darwin, mustn't be as many WP up here. Usually have the seat next to me free as well. Now I'm competing against the whole of economy for row 3. And I've normally been able to have myself and my wife in row 3 if we are flying together.

 

[oz_mark]

When I read this all I can see is that they're probably going to clamp down on people like my wife (SG) and I (WP) sitting together in Row 3 when we're on the same booking.

Previously they've allowed this over the phone - can't see them doing it now there's revenue at stake. If they do it essentially takes away yet another benefit of a whole family trying to be loyal to the same airline.

From the terms and conditions:

Velocity Platinum members and up to 8 additional companions travelling on the same booking may reserve an Economy X seat for free

 

[Mattg]

They may have already started work on this. I was on a VA flight a few weeks back and did think that the amount of legroom seems unusually large!

I also noticed this! I was in row 5 last week and did notice that there was more legroom than usual. Certainly didn't have any Economy X branding on the seat, though.

 

[samh004]

Does this mean that row 3 can be bought? If so it devalues WP in a way as you can have NRs sitting in row 3

I flew to ADL a couple years ago as a Red member and was able to select row 3. Haven't had status with VA since it was DJ!

 

[serfty]

To be honest as a WP it doesn't make me overly excited.. I've never had a problem getting row 3 flying out of Darwin, mustn't be as many WP up here. Usually have the seat next to me free as well. Now I'm competing against the whole of economy for row 3. And I've normally been able to have myself and my wife in row 3 if we are flying together.

I reckon it will get better for you. Not that many will pay thirty bucks extra for a seat and as per the previous post, your wife can be up there with you.

 

[Jet L]

I flew to ADL a couple years ago as a Red member and was able to select row 3. Haven't had status with VA since it was DJ!

Was this at booking or at T-12, Seats open to everyone at T-12 if i'm not mistaken

 

[aaronm]

Will Economy X be getting priority check-in... I pray they dont because that will just be a nightmare

According to VA website this is only available on international flights. They will be directed to premium/silver check-in queue.