Economy X pricing

[henrus]

I haven't flown VA for a while but on a few upcoming flights the first thing that has jumped out is the pricing of Economy X.

Just last year the pricing on short flights like SYD-OOL was $29 something that is now $69 (a ~137% increase), this is similar across the network. Are people actually paying these prices which in some cases can almost double the cost of the flight ($89 lite fare and $69 economy X)?

Even compared to their competitors on like for like routes it's expensive with VA charging $58 for SYD-MEL, QF $35 for an exit row, JQ $14 for Row 1 or exit row and ZL $15 for their extra legroom seats.

A Brisbane to Denpasar flight is now $112 oneway which is steep given pre covid SYD-LAX was $199 and oddly more expensive then the longer CNS-HND which is only $90.

 

[Steven of Mysore]

I haven't flown VA for a while but on a few upcoming flights the first thing that has jumped out is the pricing of Economy X.

Just last year the pricing on short flights like SYD-OOL was $29 something that is now $69 (a ~137% increase), this is similar across the network. Are people actually paying these prices which in some cases can almost double the cost of the flight ($89 lite fare and $69 economy X)?

Even compared to their competitors on like for like routes it's expensive with VA charging $58 for SYD-MEL, QF $35 for an exit row, JQ $14 for Row 1 or exit row and ZL $15 for their extra legroom seats.

A Brisbane to Denpasar flight is now $112 oneway which is steep given pre covid SYD-LAX was $199 and oddly more expensive then the longer CNS-HND which is only $90.

I have noticed and very glad my status just changed. I had thought the old pricing was very cheap but all airlines seem to be squeezing the extras for more $. Row 3 is fab coming back from Bali as I do regularly.

 

[Saab34]

Probably trying to pull back some lost revenue with the reduced seat count with the new cabin.

Virgin is heavy with fees across all parts. Change fees are stupidly expensive. I get more flexibility from Jetstar, which is why I’ve moved more travel to Jetstar Flex and Jetstar Fare Credit bucket. I wants the flexibility without handing over hundreds.

 

[AIRwin]

There's a 15% offer on now for Economy X upgrades available for bookings made from 20 May 2024 until 24 May 2024 for selected flights to and from Brisbane to Apia – Samoa, Bali – Denpasar, Fiji – Nadi and Vanuatu – Port Vila; to and from Bali – Denpasar to Melbourne, Gold Coast and Sydney; to and from Melbourne to Fiji – Nadi; to and from Sydney to Fiji – Nadi on selected travel dates from 20 May 2024 until 20 June 2024; from 23 July 2024 until 12 September 2024; from 9 October 2024 until 12 December 2024 and from 9 January 2025 until 11 April 2025; to and from Queenstown to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney on selected travel dates from 20 May 2024 until 20 June 2024; from 15 October 2024 until 12 December 2024 and from 9 January 2025 until 26 March 2025 (blackout periods apply).

 

[eastwest101]

Seems that the ancillary revenue has dropped off a cliff lately and someone in VA has noticed it. Screenshot from a recent survey out today which should be titled "Dude - where has my ancillary revenue gone?"

Their preferred seating fees for rows 6-11 are just taking the p*$$ and obviously, no-one is paying them, and they are having to allocate these seats at check-in for weight and balance purposes. Economy X prices on short flights are a bit silly as well.

 

[mickismick]

It feels like rows 6 to 11 are only premium seats because they need to make it seem like Gold Tier Velocity members are getting some sort of benefit for their status.

EconX is definitely overpriced. I just spent a year on Gold after being Platinum for 6 years and was shocked by the pricing. Thought maybe it was a bias after being Platinum for so long, but seems the sentiment is shared. At those prices, I'm sure it's almost exclusively platinums sitting in rows 3 to 5.

 

[SCM]

I think it's just ridiculous, I wouldn't even pay $5 for a 1-2 hour flight for those seats. Longer flights across the pond, I can understand paying $20 - $30 but not $100 - VA are kidding themselves.

 

[eastwest101]

I think it's just ridiculous, I wouldn't even pay $5 for a 1-2 hour flight for those seats. Longer flights across the pond, I can understand paying $20 - $30 but not $100 - VA are kidding themselves.

The other interesting thing about the survey was using two examples of a short flight with the first example being for work purposes and the second being leisure (both examples short flights like SYD-BNE or MEL-SYD), a pretty transparent attempt to quiz people about spending their own money vs using other peoples money as to how much they are prepared to pay for Economy X and "Preferred Seating".

Needless to say - whether it's my own money or employers - my message was pretty clear that "Preferred Seating" is valued at $0 as far as I am concerned, but Economy X is fine if it is priced sensibly and/or is a longer transcontinental or trans-Tasman flight.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

I got that same survey and basically said that at $1 it's getting too expensive for "preferred seating" and at about $15 it's getting too expensive for Economy X.

Tell them the numbers that you're prepared to pay and hopefully the survey results send someone in Revenue Management a message.

 

[Must...Fly!]

"Preferred seating" doesn't really work - what are you really getting? Most VA flights board front and rear. You're not out any sooner, and since the main cabin toilets are in the rear, it's not like you're paying for that convenience either, really.

 

[mickismick]

"Preferred seating" doesn't really work - what are you really getting? Most VA flights board front and rear. You're not out any sooner, and since the main cabin toilets are in the rear, it's not like you're paying for that convenience either, really.

Maybe adding front of plane toilet access to seats 3 to 5 might make X more worthwhile.

Most VA planes board at the rear too. So rear of plane can be more desirable than rows 6 to 11. Certainly more desirable than paying a premium for the seats.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Most VA planes board at the rear too. So rear of plane can be more desirable than rows 6 to 11. Certainly more desirable than paying a premium for the seats.

Rear of the plane is a PITA when it's announced on arrival that we're only disembarking from the forward doors today/tonight though. Much prefer to be forward half than back half if given the choice.

 

[twinaisle]

Maybe adding front of plane toilet access to seats 3 to 5 might make X more worthwhile.

Other benefits that come with eco X are fine. Don't want the legroom then no need to purchase.

 

[Stealthflyer]

It feels like rows 6 to 11 are only premium seats because they need to make it seem like Gold Tier Velocity members are getting some sort of benefit for their status.

EconX is definitely overpriced. I just spent a year on Gold after being Platinum for 6 years and was shocked by the pricing. Thought maybe it was a bias after being Platinum for so long, but seems the sentiment is shared. At those prices, I'm sure it's almost exclusively platinums sitting in rows 3 to 5.

It’s probably my favourite platinum perk. In row three, I’m usually sitting next to a fellow WP, a footballer or a cashed up retiree.

 

[Gold Member]

Virgin Marketing claim that “Wonderful is extra legroom that won’t cost you an arm and a leg”. Sure doesn’t feel that way.