Let's talk about Economy X

[kamchatsky]

I am also a fan of YX. I have been getting YX seats most of the time as a WP, and also have seat empty next to me.

 

[Lemon_Party]

Call me crazy, but I’ve found an affinity for row 14 on trans-con. I fly east-west a lot and normally at short notice. Last couple of flights only seats in 3-5 have been middle so I’ve gone to exit rows. 13 & 14 have more room than 3-5 and 13 doesn’t recline too. Does take a while to deplane though...
Nevertheless I'm a fan of YX as a WP perk.

 

[SYD]

People travelling in parties of >1

Not when the window and aisle seats are already taken!

 

[dec540]

Not when the window and aisle seats are already taken!

I’ve had people seated in middle YX seats next to me when the seatmap was showing me in 3A and another pax in 3C at T-48 on non full flights a number of times.

 

[Happy Dude]

Platinum and Gold status really scores when you fly internationally. The opportunity to upgrade with points = huge benefit. Plus the 2 comp upgrades each year aren't too shabby....

Can I ask if you mean the 4 comp upgrades from a freedom fare?

 

[Muppet501st]

Count me in as new fan of YX as a VA WP. Having avoided 737s on the SYD-PER for months, I had no choice recently but then realised that Row 3-5 has turned into Euro style business class. Window / Aisle and empty middle seat.

I don’t know if they’re shadows or just common sense. Who’s going to pay $69 to select a middle Seat?

Not many, but if the rest of the plane is sold out, randoms will be allocated those middle YX seats

 

[GSP]

I

SG still get Row 6-10 at booking and only opens during Check in so you haven't been moved to the back of the plane, just a couple of rows back.

Gold members get Rows 7+ ab booking. Row 6 opens up at T-48 - well technically more than 48, e.g I'm on an 8.05 flight on Monday and looked improve my position an hour or so ago (6.30am) and check in was open as well as Row 6. Not sure what time that kicked over.

 

[docjames]

Loved receiving the system email from Virgin to purchase YX on my upcoming flight.

Not happy when I logged in and YX “unavailable” (no doubt related to the 737-700 operating the flight). Not even the exit rows.

 

[Dan_]

Free YX selection is the main reason I wanted to get WP. I hate row 3 though, the narrow seats kill me.

 

[dajop]

Very happy to get a YX on recent AKL-MEL flight at check-in and also an exit row for ADL-MEL earlier this year, again at check-in.

No direct status with VA, but I do have "partner gold" status by virtue of Krisflyer so it seems to count for something at check-in if Virgin's own members haven't grabbed the seats.

 

[NZflygirl]

I love economy X. Prefer it to QFs 737 economy. I don't like fixed arm rests and putting tray tables away. I just like to be able to pull these down easily from the seat in front. If no one else in the row I can put the arm rests up and snooze! Great on a red eye. I like seat storage row 4. Better leg room. Even if I lose status I'll probably still pay for it so I'm all good! I will avoid QF 737s TT as best I can. I'm over it!! I can handle them short haul domestic east coast but I'll probably be angling for more VA I think. Will see.

 

[clipped_wings]

Can I ask if you mean the 4 comp upgrades from a freedom fare?

Yarp.

 

[Happy Dude]

Yarp.

Whew! I though I was missing out.

 

[mikenz]

I'm hitting around a 50% strike rate for a shadow in row three at the moment.
I'm travelling peak times (7am and 6pm) SYD-MEL over the last 2 months.

Love the free YX.

 

[PAZ]

I think YX is a good innovaton. Domestic experience only, but paying for X in either window or aisle and expecting the middle to be empty hasn't happened. Is it because WP get upgrade for Y? When that happens, I don't think it's a good vale proposition.

I have been flying Jetstar :-( , paying for bundles for Seat1F and found it an ok experience and better value.

 

[sometime_flyer]

I see YX as a real plus for VA. Makes sense as a significant additional revenue stream and a new onboard product that the opposition cant easily copy.
WP benefits are not materially degraded as they get access to more seats with extra legroom if you count rows 4-5 and the Emer Exit rows. Only downside is that WPs may have to sit beside a non WP who paid extra to be there.
FOC access to YX seats as a differentiator from SG, is both a perceived and real benefit. And, who wouldn't want that bit of extra legroom on Short Haul international flight!?

 

[Pleb Status]

And, who wouldn't want that bit of extra legroom on Short Haul international flight!?

QF WP would appear not to want extra legroom for free....

 

[Wozza]

I had the worst YX experience on my flight back from MEL to SYD yesterday afternoon.

I was given the middle seat in row 4 and unfortunately sat next to a very broad shouldered guy whose right arm and shoulder were well and truly in my seat space. He spent the whole flight nudging me, stretching and huffing and puffing like I was invading his space. He was clearly aggitated and feeling entitled to a shadow seat. What's worse, I am recovering from an accident and it made my neck and back injuries more painful as I had to spend the flight leaning to one side with my shoulders squashed together.

I contemplated standing up the whole flight but thought better of it given the constant trolley service on such a short flight. I looked back, and unfortunately the flight was full.

Abad night's sleep followed.

Super unlucky.

Oh well. I guess I often do get a window or aisle seat with a spare seat in the middle. Hopefully it doesn't happen again. And I hope I never have to sit next to that guy again!

 

[jsm2090]

This sounds pretty bad. So..... did you confront him about it?

I had the worst YX experience on my flight back from MEL to SYD yesterday afternoon.

I was given the middle seat in row 4 and unfortunately sat next to a very broad shouldered guy whose right arm and shoulder were well and truly in my seat space. He spent the whole flight nudging me, stretching and huffing and puffing like I was invading his space. He was clearly aggitated and feeling entitled to a shadow seat. What's worse, I am recovering from an accident and it made my neck and back injuries more painful as I had to spend the flight leaning to one side with my shoulders squashed together.

I contemplated standing up the whole flight but thought better of it given the constant trolley service on such a short flight. I looked back, and unfortunately the flight was full.

Abad night's sleep followed.

Super unlucky.

Oh well. I guess I often do get a window or aisle seat with a spare seat in the middle. Hopefully it doesn't happen again. And I hope I never have to sit next to that guy again!

 

[Wozza]

No I didn't. It's not in my nature, and he was clearly agitated. It would have ended badly. As you say, hopefully I never have to sit next to him again!