Economy X [Domestic free for Platinum] - May 2017

[andyhui01]

I cant rotate on my mobile. i don't fly row 3 enough to work out if they have less legroom or the rest of the plane has less because of economy x

 

[Spacetravel]

While this is a great benefit to differentiate VA plat to gold domestically, its a shame they couldn't at least offer a discount for plat on long haul flights. I probably do almost an equal amount of long haul flights to domestic and where I'd love this benefit most, doesn't exist. It feels silly paying for something you get 50% of already just for being plat. Prior to space x plat good seat at the front of the cabin, giving first choice meal and already have priority check in and boarding. The only extra things are the leg room and NC headsets (which I bring my own anyway).

I do hope this does allow VA to raise more cash to keep them going and maybe one day purchase more long haul aircraft to open more destinations.

 

[grubbidok]

I'm in the same boat as you banana0692. I booked a flight back in September on VA to LAX and am now being asked to fork out $149 each way to get something I used to get for free or sit way down the back (at least based on the seat selection I had for July flights).

Now going to exclusively book via Delta, where as a VA WP I was able to select those front seats on VA codeshares (on VA metal) for no charge. Pretty p*ss poor effort by VA IMHO

 

[serfty]

...
Now going to exclusively book via Delta, where as a VA WP I was able to select those front seats on VA codeshares (on VA metal) for no charge. Pretty p*ss poor effort by VA IMHO

I think you will find that has changed (Seats selectable they no longer confirm).

 

[grubbidok]

I think you will find that has changed (Seats selectable they no longer confirm).

Good to know, you're right. I could select them but they still only show as 'requested'.

TBH I've been toying with changing my Trans-Pacs to DL anyway. We are only ever allowed to fly in Y, and IMO I have found DL have really upped their game and recognise status far more than VA on that route whereas the VA experience as a WP in Y has declined considerably in the last 2 years. Economy X kind of removes any advantage flying on VA metal. Who would have ever thought that a US legacy would start to be a more attractive option than an Australian airline?

 

[Muppet501st]

row 4 yesterday, and definitely a lot more room at the expense of row 3. Im guessing row 4 and 5 will be more favourable than row 3, because of being able to stow your bag in front of you. And not having to board early if in row 3, to claim bin space.
I flew Tran-pac last week with Air NZ. It was a lot cheaper to select an exit row seat on the way over, then what VA charge ( regardless of status) Upgraded to Y+ Space seat on the way home and love it.

 

[clipped_wings]

While this is a great benefit to differentiate VA plat to gold domestically, its a shame they couldn't at least offer a discount for plat on long haul flights. I probably do almost an equal amount of long haul flights to domestic and where I'd love this benefit most, doesn't exist. It feels silly paying for something you get 50% of already just for being plat. Prior to space x plat good seat at the front of the cabin, giving first choice meal and already have priority check in and boarding. The only extra things are the leg room and NC headsets (which I bring my own anyway).

I do hope this does allow VA to raise more cash to keep them going and maybe one day purchase more long haul aircraft to open more destinations.

Husband is WP and the closest row to the front in Y for our advance booking on a B777 is Row 26. It would cost another $1200 return for us to get any further forward in YX, but I am seriously thinking of it, as DH is over 6' tall and his poor knees are gonna cop it.

 

[bwhouse]

row 4 yesterday, and definitely a lot more room at the expense of row 3. Im guessing row 4 and 5 will be more favourable than row 3, because of being able to stow your bag in front of you. And not having to board early if in row 3, to claim bin space.
I flew Tran-pac last week with Air NZ. It was a lot cheaper to select an exit row seat on the way over, then what VA charge ( regardless of status) Upgraded to Y+ Space seat on the way home and love it.

Yup agree with this, was in row 4 today and there was noticeably more room. It did look like the room in 3 had gone down a little but I suspect they may have shuffled everything just a bit.

 

[kamchatsky]

I still find that I can ask for Exit rows and get it even if I check in late at the counter ..... So no need Row 3/4/5 .... yet.

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Flew row 3 twice on the weekend for about 6 hours in total... yes, it's got slightly reduced legroom compared to previously, but not by that much as far as I can tell (and I'm a bit under 6') -- still the best!

Does anyone have a photo of the windows from row 3 for comparison? I have the impression it's moved forward a little, but perhaps the bulkhead in front has gone forward too. There's now about 2.75 windows in row 3.

Rows 4 and 5 are definitely more attractive now, especially with a bit less of a fight for overhead storage space. Having said that, row 3 seats still provides the advantage of uh, containing larger passengers in their own seats.

 

[Pleb Status]

Flew row 3 twice on the weekend for about 6 hours in total... yes, it's got slightly reduced legroom compared to previously, but not by that much as far as I can tell (and I'm a bit under 6') -- still the best!

Does anyone have a photo of the windows from row 3 for comparison? I have the impression it's moved forward a little, but perhaps the bulkhead in front has gone forward too. There's now about 2.75 windows in row 3.

Rows 4 and 5 are definitely more attractive now, especially with a bit less of a fight for overhead storage space. Having said that, row 3 seats still provides the advantage of uh, containing larger passengers in their own seats.

It has been reported by David Flynn that the bulkhead has been moved forward by a small amount.

I have five hours in row 3 tomorrow to see if the difference is noticeable....

Edit: Flight is almost full so no middle shadow unfortunately.

 

[Cryptarcadian]

It has been reported by David Flynn that the bulkhead has been moved forward by a small amount.

Yeah I know, that's what I was going off... I actually meant it didn't look like it compared to my memory of how the windows previously lined up, but my memory can't hold a candle to photo evidence!

 

[Pleb Status]

After five hours of 'measurement', it 'feels' like the bulkhead may now be slightly closer in row 3 of the 738. However, the legroom is still excellent IMHO.

For those in the know, now the 738 exit rows are free for WP, are these a better option overall when compared to the new row 3? As I travel HLO, the delay in getting off would be a slight negative for the exit rows.

 

[Dee#]

In the past I've found that if i sit in the exit rows, very large people are often there too. As an average sized female I don't like getting fat swamped. So no more exit rows. Once it happened and it was so bad, I only had 2/3 of my seat on the aisle and could not sit down without sitting on him or get the arm rest down (it was up for him to get in and was resting on the fat) and I would have got off (of course they have to get your bags off too-so won't like it) if they hadn't found me another seat, playing sardines in the middle with normal sized people.
At least row 3 solid arm rests will in theory stop them flowing onto your seat, but the shoulder fat is still a problem.
With old row 3 when the centre seat was occupied you seemed to get normal sized people.
I'm platinum and I am very concerned now that big people are going to be able to pay the extra for the platinum row 3 we are going to get more of them and it is always going to be full and the spare seats are going to be further bacK.
For my next 2 flights in 2 weeks I have points and comp upgraded to Business so I can get a look at what is going on. (not the intercity flash business, just the ordinary one with 2x2 across and bigger seats.)

 

[MH_fan]

Bulkhead in row 3 definitely looks a little closer but still plenty of room for me. Legroom in rows 4 and 5 definitely look bigger. I would still personally pick row 3, as no one's reclining into you and it's easier to get out of my seat.

 

[samas]

As many of my flights are booked for me by work travel agent I manage my booking after it's received to select seats. (travel coordinator too hopeless to understand my seat preferences, admittedly I am picky depending on aircraft).

Currently it's not possible to change to economy X online as a WP. Velocity have acknowledged the issue and can allocate seats by calling up.

I noticed that when I go back into manage my booking after the call centre have allocated me economy x seats it now says "This booking can only be changed by calling our Guest Contact Centre because Travel Extras have been purchased."


edit: interestingly only my corporate booking is affected, personal funded bookings I didn't have this issue 2 weeks ago.

 

[Dee#]

Well well. Is this related to Economy X? and more money saving. Are Virgin in trouble.?
Just took business (FF upgrade)Perth to Darwin yesterday 3hr 40min. No tablets for viewing inflight entertainment anymore.
(I can't be bothered to have to get out and use my personal one so didnt bring it. only required in economy).
Hostie advised gone on May 8. Noteable also I was the only one in 8 seat business.
So for this intercity flight, Virgin didn't bother telling their business platinum passengers then. What do we get now for so much more money? a bigger seat (this isn't the 330) a breakfast and probably some booze on the afternoon flight. Only worth it on a points upgrade from Flex now.
This is very very inconvenient.
Did notice the economy X though. Row 3 seemed spacious and they seemed to have actually left a vacant seat in the middle on 3,4 & 5. But plane wasn't full.

 

[Jurahn]

Well well. Is this related to Economy X? and more money saving. Are Virgin in trouble.?
Just took business (FF upgrade)Perth to Darwin yesterday 3hr 40min. No tablets for viewing inflight entertainment anymore.
(I can't be bothered to have to get out and use my personal one so didnt bring it. only required in economy).
Hostie advised gone on May 8. Noteable also I was the only one in 8 seat business.
So for this intercity flight, Virgin didn't bother telling their business platinum passengers then. What do we get now for so much more money? a bigger seat (this isn't the 330) a breakfast and probably some booze on the afternoon flight. Only worth it on a points upgrade from Flex now.
This is very very inconvenient.
Did notice the economy X though. Row 3 seemed spacious and they seemed to have actually left a vacant seat in the middle on 3,4 & 5. But plane wasn't full.

Sorry to go OT, but that's going to be a PITA if so. We usually try to upgrade for our transcon flights, but there's always - ALWAYS - the possibility these days of the A330 being swapped out for a 737 (and usually no prior notification of such). On the occasions I have ended up on the 737, same as you I find it more convenient to just use the provided tablet for a bit of entertainment to pass the time rather than get my iPad out, but looks like I'll have to in future - and make sure it's fully charged beforehand just in case. Seems others find it more convenient as well - on a recently "swapped out" PER-SYD flight, 7 of the 8 pax in J were using the provided tablets. Reading's not an option for me (causes travel sickness, even with taking meds!) and staring out the window for anything up to 5 hours on a transcon flight doesn't really appeal LOL.

There's absolutely no comparison to "The Business in any case, but by effectively "degrading" the J offering on the 737 even more, how on earth can VA continue to justify charging the same amount of $ and/or points for J fares and upgrades on the 737?

ETA: If this is a permanent change, VA haven't updated the website which still states tablets are provided to J pax.

 

[Lemon_Party]

There's absolutely no comparison to "The Business in any case, but by effectively "degrading" the J offering on the 737 even more, how on earth can VA continue to justify charging the same amount of $ and/or points for J fares and upgrades on the 737?

This is sliding well off topic, but its staggering to me that VA can charge over $1,800 as a one way base J fare from PER-BNE effectively in a 737 premium economy recliner.

 

[Pleb Status]

This is sliding well off topic, but its staggering to me that VA can charge over $1,800 as a one way base J fare from PER-BNE effectively in a 737 premium economy recliner.

The 'opposition' are currently charging up to $2160 ow for a similar 737 J product on the same sector.... So your point is/was?