Economy X [Domestic free for Platinum] - May 2017

[clarkkent]

Now the seat selection system can tell your status

It's been able to detect status for a long time, as evidenced by differences in seat availability between status levels. But yes hopefully the seat charges do not materialise...

 

[Pleb Status]

It's been able to detect status for a long time, as evidenced by differences in seat availability between status levels. But yes hopefully the seat charges do not materialise...

Obviously the system could obtain your status details for seat assignment purposes. However, it could not charge a different cost based on your status (probably two different systems). That was the reason provided for delaying the introduction of seat selection charges.

Now it can charge a different cost based on your status.

 

[Dannyism]

Tell me again how these are the actions of a full service carrier not penny pinching? At least their Platinum members are safe... for now! What a joke

I see they note that on a 737 the first 3 rows will gain a minimum 3 extra inches of legroom... where will this be taken from?

They run a hybrid model, not a full service model.

The hybrid model is a very popular business model for airlines that aims to offer a service at a range of price points that bridge between an LCC and a full service offering.

 

[777]

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

I'm a VA plat who actually prefers row 4 because i can stick my bag under the seat in front.

It's great news for me!

 

[Plutonus]

Is the 'preferred overhead locker' the same as the J overhead lockers, which say for business class passengers only, and the FAs watch on as economy drops their bags off and then walks down to their row?

 

[Pleb Status]

Is the 'preferred overhead locker' the same as the J overhead lockers, which say for business class passengers only, and the FAs watch on as economy drops their bags off and then walks down to their row?

What would be nice is if the FAs would not put their bags in the overhead lockers above row 3. They are getting better but it still happens on some occasions.

 

[pblackie]

What would be nice is if the FAs would not put their bags in the overhead lockers above row 3. They are getting better but it still happens on some occasions.

Likewise Row 10 on the 330

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

They run a hybrid model, not a full service model.

The hybrid model is a very popular business model for airlines that aims to offer a service at a range of price points that bridge between an LCC and a full service offering.

However does the Hybrid model really work for VA?

Looking at past VA financial results, I suggest not.

The Hybrid model has been adopted and reduced the downward spiral in earnings from a number of European carriers such as Aer Lingus and Air Berlin, but hasn't improved profitability to much degree.

The problem for VA is that European business models might just work in a marketplace like Europe, however in Australia, consumers are fickle and are seeking more than just a quasi full service carrier from VA. The product offering struggles to meet many consumers expectations, particularly the Economy product offering that has been marketed with much hype, but fails to deliver.

 

[Pleb Status]

However does the Hybrid model really work for VA?

Looking at past VA financial results, I suggest not.

The Hybrid model has been adopted and reduced the downward spiral in earnings from a number of European carriers such as Aer Lingus and Air Berlin, but hasn't improved profitability to much degree.

The problem for VA is that European business models might just work in a marketplace like Europe, however in Australia, consumers are fickle and are seeking more than just a quasi full service carrier from VA. The product offering struggles to meet many consumers expectations, particularly the Economy product offering that has been marketed with much hype, but fails to deliver.

This is getting very OT but have you even looked at the VA financial results?

The domestic airline is making a reasonable profit and has done so for the last couple of years (EBIT $160M last year). Velocity also makes alot of money (about the same again).

It is the large debt and arguably mismanagement of resources (buying and selling E170/E190, ATR72 etc) which is causing the real problems and why they are losing money overall.

If VA could get rid of the debt and focus a little at what they are actually doing, the core airline is actually doing a pretty good job with the model they have in place.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

This is getting very OT but have you even looked at the VA financial results?

Yes, as a "Mum & Dad" shareholder for over 14 years, I can't say I have obtained much enjoyment from reading the company's Financial reports over the years . The lack of return on investment is very disheartening IMO.

Back on topic, it will be interesting to see how the extra rows of Paid legroom goes in turn of growing ancillary revenue, which all airlines, including VA will persue to increase yield.

 

[deva22]

As an SG, I'd happily pay $29 more each way for extra leg room (bne<>syd or bne<>mel).

Wonder if you'd be eligible for a refund if using fly ahead and the YX option isn't available on the earlier flight?

 

[Jet L]

As an SG, I'd happily pay $29 more each way for extra leg room (bne<>syd or bne<>mel).

Wonder if you'd be eligible for a refund if using fly ahead and the YX option isn't available on the earlier flight?

There were no refunds for exit rows so I doubt it

 

[gwilli1]

Scored an Economy X seat tonight to ADL on an a/c already configured. Extra leg room was ok . I normally just touch the back of the seat in front of me in the standard VA Y seat. This was Row 4

 

[bullerdude]

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.

Ideally the system would be able to move Golds and then Silver members into the 'X' rows when the plane is full. Otherwise, those who didn't select seats online will end up in the 'X' rows for free. And we know VA's track record with IT...

 

[samas]

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.

How was the YX seating in the end for your flight?

 

[hydrabyss]

Ideally the system would be able to move Golds and then Silver members into the 'X' rows when the plane is full. Otherwise, those who didn't select seats online will end up in the 'X' rows for free. And we know VA's track record with IT...

This is my concern that I will be sitting in row 6 behind alot of passengers who do not fly mutch, saying "oh how these seats are more roomy" due to how the system works.

I had a choice between Virgin Plat. or Hilton Diamond status a few years back and after a conversation with a Hotel manager decided to go with Hilton. Although it can be flawed at times with Hilton, if an upgrade is to be given I will be ahead of any non status customers which is why they have me as a regular customer.

 

[PDog]

Row 3 isn't exclusive to WP. I see no status pax in the middle all the time. (dead giveaway when they don't put their laptop/handbags in the overhead and the FA has to do it for them)

O/T: so not a dead giveaway! I've been WP for 4 years & do this every trip cause I want my handbag to be the last thing that goes in there so it doesn't get squashed...

 

[Lemon_Party]

This could work out nicely - depends on the uptake of the paid seats. A couple of years ago I always had row 3 or 4 with a shadow, but with all seats available at t-12 the front rows now always seem to be full now. No idea when that changed...

If the vast majority are chasing low fares, there could well be some space free up the front now for WP. If the plane fills up you'd hope SG would be automatically moved to YX next, but perhaps that's a little too complex for VA's IT systems...

 

[Pleb Status]

How was the YX seating in the end for your flight?

Did not see back past row 2....

 

[scheps]

O/T: so not a dead giveaway! I've been WP for 4 years & do this every trip cause I want my handbag to be the last thing that goes in there so it doesn't get squashed...

I agree, i never put my laptop up the top, as it fits into the little slot with the magazines