Virgin Blue Unveils Red Leather ‘premium Economy’ A Seat With A Difference

[Wunala Dreaming]

We're going off thread now but I could have sworn that when I came home from ZQN last year, the AKL-BNE flight was marketed as Y+ on the Air NZ website, rather than in the Business tab. Might be becoming senile though.

No you're not becoming senile.

At one stage (IIRC), Air New Zealand was operating all A320 services ex-BNE with Y and Y+ cabins (like FreedomAir). I believe this move failed and they have now reverted to offering Economy and Business on A320 services ex-BNE.

I had to OLCI for my BNE-CNS-BNE E170 flight, and it took me 2 mins to actually find the link to OLCI as I hadn't OLCI'd on the new website before. It's not even under a logical submenu unless you spend time finding it.

I am under the impression that there has been a link to OLCI on DJ's website for quite some time. As you can see it is currently available next to the "Flights" and "Holidays" tabs just below the Virgin Blue logo. You can see that is has been positioned in that part of the website for quite some time now by looking at older versions of the DJ website - here.

Thanks Crazydave98 for posting pictures and information about the new product. An excellent move. I look forward to trying it in the near future.

Cheers

 

[crazydave98]

I also think the new Y+ will be great for those of us with an inflexible "economy" only policy. So long as the fares are lower than the QF Y fare, it should be great for DJ. So long as I get lounge access and priority check-in (priority boarding would be nice), I'm happy to pay for my drinks and food.

The only downside here is that many of the big companies have substantial private fare discounts on 'Y' inventory with Qantas. I rang our Travel Centre today to enquire about flying DJ but was told they had blocked our access to DJ inventory except for "exceptional circumstances" and that the QF private fares are cheaper than DJ full flex economy fare.

Who blocked your access to our inventory - your own company? Gee that makes a lot of sense. If QF private fare was really lower surely they wouldn't mind you comparing? The problem with some travel managers is that they get paid by Qantas as well as the company whose travel they are supposed to be managing so they don't always have only one company's best interests at heart.
cheers
CrazyDave98

 

[stuartfaz]

I'm curious as to what this will do to DJ's fare structure. Will it be as simple as renaming Corporate Plus fares (which share many of the benefits of the proposed Y+ class, without the Foxtel and, obviously, the red seat) or will there be a 5th fare class?

Surely the Y+ should mean the end of the Corporate Y fare.

Also I've just noticed the 'Flexi Saver' and 'Fully Flexible' fare types have been given the boot, in place of a 'Flexible' option. The 'Blue Saver' type has been split to include a 'Promo Fare' option.

 

[Tooner]

I'm curious as to what this will do to DJ's fare structure. Will it be as simple as renaming Corporate Plus fares (which share many of the benefits of the proposed Y+ class, without the Foxtel and, obviously, the red seat) or will there be a 5th fare class?

Surely the Y+ should mean the end of the Corporate Y fare.

You've pre-empted a question of mine - If the Corporate Plus is Y (Correct?), then will it be retained, or is premium economy Corporate Plus reborn for premium routes?

 

[littl_flier]

Who blocked your access to our inventory - your own company? Gee that makes a lot of sense. If QF private fare was really lower surely they wouldn't mind you comparing? The problem with some travel managers is that they get paid by Qantas as well as the company whose travel they are supposed to be managing so they don't always have only one company's best interests at heart.
cheers
CrazyDave98

Don't worry Dave, I think it's as stupid as you. It is the Travel Manager that blocks the inventory, no doubt determined though by the powers at be though.

 

[stuartfaz]

I'm curious as to what this will do to DJ's fare structure. Will it be as simple as renaming Corporate Plus fares (which share many of the benefits of the proposed Y+ class, without the Foxtel and, obviously, the red seat) or will there be a 5th fare class?

Surely the Y+ should mean the end of the Corporate Y fare.

Also I've just noticed the 'Flexi Saver' and 'Fully Flexible' fare types have been given the boot, in place of a 'Flexible' option. The 'Blue Saver' type has been split to include a 'Promo Fare' option.

And another thing: What's Y+ on the Embraers going to be like? They're already 2x2, 32" legroom and have no live2air installed (to my knowledge). So it is a simple case of red leather and 2 extra inches or am i missing something?

 

[crazydave98]

I'm curious as to what this will do to DJ's fare structure. Will it be as simple as renaming Corporate Plus fares (which share many of the benefits of the proposed Y+ class, without the Foxtel and, obviously, the red seat) or will there be a 5th fare class?

Surely the Y+ should mean the end of the Corporate Y fare.

And another thing: What's Y+ on the Embraers going to be like? They're already 2x2, 32" legroom and have no live2air installed (to my knowledge). So it is a simple case of red leather and 2 extra inches or am i missing something?

We will announce the fare structure at the same time as the official launch of premium economy in February next year once the seats are installed across the fleet. Don't want to give it all away at once on the off chance that Qantas may actually read this forum.

The Embraers will get the increased seat pitch, the bondage seat covers, the ground inclusions and fare conditions as per the B737 product - stay tuned for news on live2air in the Embraers.

cheers

CrazyDave98

 

[flying1977]

The new premium economy seats don't look very comfortable, not much better than the current cramped DJ seats. The premium economy seats should be way cheaper than QFs business product which has better seats and inflight service.

 

[oz_mark]

The new premium economy seats don't look very comfortable, not much better than the current cramped DJ seats. The premium economy seats should be way cheaper than QFs business product which has better seats and inflight service.

Given the statement below, I would expect that it would be cheaper than the QF business product (and at least on some sectors, a good way below the QF business product)

Premium Economy will be competitively priced in the market in line with other airline’s fully flexible economy class tickets.

 

[crazydave98]

The new premium economy seats don't look very comfortable, not much better than the current cramped DJ seats. The premium economy seats should be way cheaper than QFs business product which has better seats and inflight service.

Well, until you have sat in one pretty hard to judge I would think - don't work anywhere near Mascot do you?

I wonder how you figure "not much better than the current cramped DJ seats" since we already have the best seat pitch in the domestic market, and you will get 34" with the premium economy seats and about an extra 3 inches width which will make them substantially wider than any other ecomony seat (and that would be one of our own seats anyway as the standard economy seat in the Embraers is wider than the A320 and B737).

As to pricing, not only will it be much cheaper than Qantas business class, it will be cheaper than their full economy (and did I mention it will have free live2air and The Lounge entry). And it is the full economy market we are after with this product - not business class. That's why it's called "premium economy" and not "discount business".

cheers

CrazyDave98

 

[pauly7]

The new premium economy seats don't look very comfortable, not much better than the current cramped DJ seats. The premium economy seats should be way cheaper than QFs business product which has better seats and inflight service.

The seats are the same as economy just a different colour thats why!
(I think this is right, I got excited for a bit about a new seat... then realised this was the case - I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong)

Hopefully QF will reduce their business to compete so I can fly it more often! And of course this product will be substantially cheaper than QF J and Y since it is no where near a business product.

 

[flying1977]

Yeah, I thought they were the same seats as in economy. . .

I dont think QF need to reduce their business fare as I heard their yeilds up the front are doing very well.

 

[ANstar]

Well, until you have sat in one pretty hard to judge I would think - don't work anywhere near Mascot do you?

LOL... thought I'd have a look at flying1977's orther posts... would certainly indicate an employer in the mascot area lol

As for the seats... I'm happy to try them and think it is quite a clever low risk move by DJ. I mean if they can't sell the Y+ seats it just converts to Y...

If I was flying Fully Flex Y with business and had the choice to save a few $$$, get a better seat (with noone directly next to me), live TV & lounge access, I know which one I would choose.

 

[Yada Yada]

Yeah, I thought they were the same seats as in economy. . .

They are not the same. Go back and read the other posts in this thread.

 

[crazydave98]

The seats are the same as economy just a different colour thats why! (I think this is right, I got excited for a bit about a new seat... then realised this was the case - I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong)

Hopefully QF will reduce their business to compete so I can fly it more often! And of course this product will be substantially cheaper than QF J and Y since it is no where near a business product.

Well, if you call 3 inches wider, 2 inches "longer", no-one sitting next to you and 24 free Foxtel channels the same I guess they are.

If you think this is "nowhere near a business product" why on earth would you expect QF to reduce their business class fares so you can fly more often? Can I give you a lesson in Competition 101 some time? Maybe also a lesson in Literary Interpretation 101 as at least 2 prior posts have made the point that this product is competing against QF full Y (and will be priced significantly lower as you wish) and not against J? It's called "Premium Economy" not "el-cheapo Business" for a very good reason.

cheers

CrazyDave98

 

[pauly7]

Well, if you call 3 inches wider, 2 inches "longer", no-one sitting next to you and 24 free Foxtel channels the same I guess they are.

If you think this is "nowhere near a business product" why on earth would you expect QF to reduce their business class fares so you can fly more often? Can I give you a lesson in Competition 101 some time? Maybe also a lesson in Literary Interpretation 101 as at least 2 prior posts have made the point that this product is competing against QF full Y (and will be priced significantly lower as you wish) and not against J? It's called "Premium Economy" not "el-cheapo Business" for a very good reason.

cheers

CrazyDave98

Thanks for the rude sarcastic reply.

I fly Virgin regularly and have, up until this point had friendly and helpful interactions, so congrats on breaking that great trend set by your staff.

I was only pointing out to the OP that it is the same seat (diff colour, middle seat blocked out and extra room, yes of course which had already been pointed out).

I'm guessing it will be QF alone respnding to consumer demand and not your hunches which will determine any competitive pricing on their J product.

I'm off to study the 'Virgin Blue Guide to sarcasm 101'.

 

[oz_mark]

And it is the full economy market we are after with this product - not business class. That's why it's called "premium economy" and not "discount business".

I would think this is a wise target. As far as I can tell more corporates fly their people on flexible economy tickets than on business class.

(and for what it is worth QF business is more of a premium economy than a true business product)

 

[crazydave98]

I was only pointing out to the OP that it is the same seat (diff colour, middle seat blocked out and extra room, yes of course which had already been pointed out).

I'm off to study the 'Virgin Blue Guide to sarcasm 101'.

It's not the same seat, different manufacturer, fold down tray table and armrests move sideways so their is more hip room. It's also a different construction (i.e. under the covers) with different foams etc. which I think people will find more comfortable when they try it (and I hope you do so despite my unwarranted sarcasm - fair cop).

cheers

HumbleDave98

 

[Yada Yada]

Thanks for the rude sarcastic reply.

I fly Virgin regularly and have, up until this point had friendly and helpful interactions, so congrats on breaking that great trend set by your staff.

I was only pointing out to the OP that it is the same seat (diff colour, middle seat blocked out and extra room, yes of course which had already been pointed out).

I'm guessing it will be QF alone respnding to consumer demand and not your hunches which will determine any competitive pricing on their J product.

I'm off to study the 'Virgin Blue Guide to sarcasm 101'.

I received prior credit in that subject so confess to feeling the same when I read your post. :-|

You did state that "The seats are the same as economy just a different colour..." which was quite obviously incorrect based on the info already posted in this thread.

I recall that you also recently posted about "JQ and DJ's draconian check-in cut-offs" which is also incorrect about DJ (I've never been bumped yet when running late).

So it does kinda feel like you might be slagging off at VB for no reason.

 

[codash1099]

Having completed 60 domestic flights this year, I am now convinced that DJ offer a far better product... the main areas are:
- Lounge, no fight for food/seat and first with free internet (which was actually one of the main reasons I "tried them out". Big screen, friendly staff and many other reasons associate with this one.

I must say I'm a bit surprised that the lack of crowding is always used as an example of how great the DJ Lounges are.

Surely this only indicates that they haven't been taken up in a big way and value is therefore perceived as low?

(I'm not arguing for the crowding at the QC. That's gone too far in the other direction. Let's keep it for Senior Life members only )