Economy X [Domestic free for Platinum] - May 2017

[Jet L]

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

Thank god, I was concerned that a bunch of YX NR and PS would be in the priority check-in queue

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Thank god, I was concerned that a bunch of YX NR and PS would be in the priority check-in queue

Perish the thought.
And hope they provide copious amounts of hand sanitiser.

 

[Jet L]

Perish the thought.
And hope they provide copious amounts of hand sanitiser.

Just pointing out the wait times if there were 30 people for every VA flight with priority check-in, Generally less than 30 Gold/Plat/Club per flight

 

[bullerdude]

Overall I think its a fairly decent move, and very positive that they are providing the benefits the Plats for free.

Would be nice if I could book the YX seat though on the site as a Plat without the $39 charge! Guess there systems are still catching up.

 

[kevrosmith]

It's not going to stop them filling up the front rows with non-status non-Paid-for-YX pax when the aircraft is full, especially on leisure routes like SYD-CNS. In these situations, I feel most for Golds and Silvers who get blocked from the better seats earlier and then get usurped at the latest minute by NBs.

 

[Pleb Status]

I note that YX for PER-BNE v.v. has risen to $59 ow for flights in October. Space+ used to be $35 rising to $50 as the departure date approached.

This is very good news for WP as the increased demand for the YX seats should be minimal but our selection has increased.

For my VA flight tomorrow evening, the flight is looking quite full but not one Space+/YX seat has currently been taken.

 

[malmacdowall]

Virgin, the modern day Robin Hood. Taking row 3 from platinums and giving it to all..

Today on Ausbt the story of Virgins new Economy X seating .... the first 3 rows will be converted to economy X with extra leg room and available to all starting at just $29 extra. Don't worry platinums, you will still get to choose these seats for free if they are not already booked.... http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-launches-economy-x-extra-legroom-seats
BTW ... I flew from Brisbane to Melbourne on Wednesday in row 4 and they are already spaced with extra leg room..... yep, that's right, Virgin really just rebranding what's already installed and selling it to all ..... well done Virgin on your RobinHood move and once again taking from your most valued Platinum members .... FAIL...

 

[opusman]

Re: Virgin, the modern day Robin Hood. Taking row 3 from platinums and giving it to a

Revenue trumps loyalty.

 

[Pleb Status]

Re: Virgin, the modern day Robin Hood. Taking row 3 from platinums and giving it to a

Today on Ausbt the story of Virgins new Economy X seating .... the first 3 rows will be converted to economy X with extra leg room and available to all starting at just $29 extra. Don't worry platinums, you will still get to choose these seats for free if they are not already booked.... http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-launches-economy-x-extra-legroom-seats
BTW ... I flew from Brisbane to Melbourne on Wednesday in row 4 and they are already spaced with extra leg room..... yep, that's right, Virgin really just rebranding what's already installed and selling it to all ..... well done Virgin on your RobinHood move and once again taking from your most valued Platinum members .... FAIL...

Previously, WP only had access to one row (row 3) with extra leg room for free.

Now WP will have access to three rows with very good legroom (row 3 and the two exit rows) and an additional two rows (row 4 and 5) with good legroom for free. This is FIVE times as many rows for free...

There will now be some non-WP competition for these seats but looking at the initial pricing (PER-BNE at $59ow), I think the extra seats now available for free will be far greater than the number of extra people competing for them.

The only valid whinge here is VA stealing seat pitch from the 'poor' (non-WP) and giving to the 'rich' (WP). A 'reverse' Robin Hood maybe....

 

[toowongman]

Re: Virgin, the modern day Robin Hood. Taking row 3 from platinums and giving it to a

VA needs cash. Cold hard cash from passengers. I wonder what their next revenue-raising idea will be?

 

[Denali]

Re: Virgin, the modern day Robin Hood. Taking row 3 from platinums and giving it to a

Meh. People in Y want more leg room and now you can have it for $29, unless you are WP and then you can have it for free. If I wasnt WP, I would happily pay the $29.

What exactly are they "taking" from WP? We had access to row 3 and still have access to row 3 and now there are a few more rows with extra leg room that you can select for free.

 

[malmacdowall]

Re: Virgin, the modern day Robin Hood. Taking row 3 from platinums and giving it to a

Previously, WP only had access to one row (row 3) with extra leg room for free.

Now WP will have access to three rows with very good legroom (row 3 and the two exit rows) and an additional two rows (row 4 and 5) with good legroom for free. This is FIVE times as many rows for free...

There will now be some non-WP competition for these seats but looking at the initial pricing (PER-BNE at $59ow), I think the extra seats now available for free will be far greater than the number of extra people competing for them.

The only valid whinge here is VA stealing seat pitch from the 'poor' (non-WP) and giving to the 'rich' (WP). A 'reverse' Robin Hood maybe....

The old Reverse Malachi ..... Whist i agree "officially" Row 3 was WP, generally the unpublished benefits seemed to be that the more forward rows 4 and 5 weren't available for selection by all and most times allocated to Gold and Platinum. Many times the Virgin angels would block the seat between so you would share 3 seats between 2 pax...

 

[malmacdowall]

Re: Virgin, the modern day Robin Hood. Taking row 3 from platinums and giving it to a

Meh. People in Y want more leg room and now you can have it for $29, unless you are WP and then you can have it for free. If I wasnt WP, I would happily pay the $29.

What exactly are they "taking" from WP? We had access to row 3 and still have access to row 3 and now there are a few more rows with extra leg room that you can select for free.

It will be interesting to see if the general availability of ROW 3 to platinums is decreased due to the Economy x offering. As you say for $29 on a trip to Brisbane, many people would happily pay it....

 

[malmacdowall]

Re: Virgin, the modern day Robin Hood. Taking row 3 from platinums and giving it to a

Interested to know , Did anyone else notice that the spacing of Row 4 and 5 is ALL READY wider?

 

[Pleb Status]

Re: Virgin, the modern day Robin Hood. Taking row 3 from platinums and giving it to a

Interested to know , Did anyone else notice that the spacing of Row 4 and 5 is ALL READY wider?

There was already a thread on this announcement -

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ty/economy-x-free-platinum-members-82025.html

 

[grubbidok]

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.

My concern is that given many of my flights are with my wife - who is SG not WP like me - that we will basically lose access to the first 3 rows unless we cough up extra cash. It's a "hard benefit" now, so I'm assuming discretion will no longer be allowed (like how other unofficial policies when made hard removed discretionary allowance of benefits like fly-ahead on cheaper tickets).

Before when we made the booking we were usually allocated seating in Row 3 together - so this is potentially a massive devaluation for me.

 

[andyhui01]

My concern is that given many of my flights are with my wife - who is SG not WP like me - that we will basically lose access to the first 3 rows unless we cough up extra cash. It's a "hard benefit" now, so I'm assuming discretion will no longer be allowed (like how other unofficial policies when made hard removed discretionary allowance of benefits like fly-ahead on cheaper tickets).

Before when we made the booking we were usually allocated seating in Row 3 together - so this is potentially a massive devaluation for me.

It is in the T&C. You can take your wife and your 7 mistresses.

 

[clarkkent]

Before when we made the booking we were usually allocated seating in Row 3 together - so this is potentially a massive devaluation for me.

See earlier:

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

So it seems you're fine.

Perhaps separate bookings will require some discretion, but this is already the case for allocating non-platinums to row 3 before check-in.

 

[grubbidok]

It is in the T&C. You can take your wife and your 7 mistresses.

Thanks andyhui01, that's good to know. Had been looking for proper T&C. Sounds like they really are cutting and pasting the DL model (sans DL's 'premium' food and beverage options for Comfort Plus).

 

[Pleb Status]

Looks like the system has updated overnight and WP can now select YX seats for free (It was trying to charge me $59 at ~00:30 AEDT last night).



Too bad that the seat selection system has a separate 'fault' so I cannot complete the change to the A330 exit row.

Now the seat selection system can tell your status, I wonder if the Getaway seat selection charges that were put on hold will now be implemented in the near future?