Virgin to charge for Seat Selection - WP/SG Exempt

[HS-TQE]

The day has come. Further adds to the confusion around what this airline actually is and stands for.

Rows 6-9 $14 (LH Dom $17) ($22 SHI)
Rows 10-12 $9 (LH Dom $12) ($17 SHI)
Rear- Free (woohoo!)
Tokyo $25/$20

Gold/Plat apparently free. If someone can dummy test and let us know, I let my Gold lapse.

Well VA 2.0 were on record stating that they are a 'Value Carrier' upon their birth (exit from administration)

Let's compare VA to Two other 'Value Carriers'

Batik Air (Malaysia and Indo):
Extra Legroom (Economy X equivalent) inc Exit Rows: $30 (AUD)
Standard: $15 (AUD)

JetBlue
Even More Space: $160USD (including Priority Boarding ahead of Core)
Core (Main Cabin): $15 to $20 USD (More than 24 hours); Free (less than 24 hours)

 

[RooFlyer]

Well, that's cough. Wont affect me but I'm surprised theyve done it now.

What they really should be doing is charging for priority overhead bin selection and usage

 

[luckypierre]

Not surprised. This is basically unlocking the status based zones in 737s anyway in exchange for $, so I actually don't see the issue. Obviously a negative as a status pax might find it a bit more difficult to get seats up the front if they've been paid for but I doubt that will be a significant issue tbh

For leisure travellers like ourselves who generally plan/book well in advance, won’t be a problem. But for short notice trips it might be a problem for status fliers ?

 

[HS-TQE]

I think VA risks losing business travellers here. Hear me out.

I think many corporate travel requires BFOD but excludes LCC like J*, Bonza, Rex, Tiger (when they were around). If VA are determined to be a LCC, then all those corporate travellers will only have one choice.

I think VA really need to be careful about that scenario.

This may not be a problem on Short Haul International routes, where VA are competing with LCCs and Value Carriers with J recliners.

But I do agree domestic-wise, personally I can't see VA getting rid of J anytime soon, but the gap between the base-Y fare (which is basically LCC with the Seat + Carry On + Water) and the J class fare is very huge.

Some 'Value Carriers' around the world (inc VA 2.0) are considered 'glorified' LCCs with a J recliner cabin and a FF program with limited lounge services.

 

[glasszon]

I think VA risks losing business travellers here. Hear me out.

I think many corporate travel requires BFOD but excludes LCC like J*, Bonza, Rex, Tiger (when they were around). If VA are determined to be a LCC, then all those corporate travellers will only have one choice.

I think VA really need to be careful about that scenario.

I doubt many corporates would drop VA, otherwise they would only have QF (and Rex) and their travel budget would explode. Have you checked how much a last minute ticket on QF can cost?

 

[kerfuffle]

Looks like the preferred seating is free for reward seats though, as a Silver at least. Was even able to move up to Row 6 now, which i usually don't get access to until 72 hours out or so. Though the taxes for reward seats just went up recently too so i guess it's all relative... At least the back half is still free for now.

Can also move to row 6 too (as a Gold member)

 

[Thibault]

https://www.virginaustralia.com/content/dam/vaa/docs/agency-hub/Preferred_Seating_September_27.pdf

Free seating for Velocity Gold / Platinum and companions included in the PNR.

The system also charges elite partner holders.
I tried with my QR Plat and EY Plat FF numbers.

https://www.virginaustralia.com/content/dam/vaa/docs/agency-hub/Preferred Seating Trade FAQ.pdf - FAQ mentions that remaining preferred seats will be available for Choice/Flex fare holders after Plat/Gold at check-in.

 

[TMP]

9A in Zone 1! #iykyk

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I think VA risks losing business travellers here. Hear me out.

I think many corporate travel requires BFOD but excludes LCC like J*, Bonza, Rex, Tiger (when they were around). If VA are determined to be a LCC, then all those corporate travellers will only have one choice.

I think VA really need to be careful about that scenario.

Am just waiting to see what Rex will do next.

 

[kamchatsky]

I am not surprised that they are going to this model. All the US legacy carriers do it. SQ does it for Economy tickets. I recently flew A3, and they already did it as well.

 

[Ausbt]

If it makes anyone feel better: my boss is extremely wealthy, like well into the BRW Top 200. We were flying somewhere for a sporting event, bunch of people and he was taking his wife and kids. I dutifully sat in 3A because ...well that's where I sit and my colleague was on my booking ref as well so I seated him 3C (he was status NB). But when the boss and fam walked onboard they headed down the aisle, waaaaaay down the back. I turned to the colleague and queried "geeze, Mr Boss is not flying J?" "nah, he's just more comfortable down the back, as far back as you can go". Well admittedly, it was going to be a tarmac rear-stairs egress so there was that at at least

 

[Ade]

VA charging for seats - not a good move, in the right direction, IMHO. I'd say, if VA needs to be considered a serious contender/competitor for any full service airline. Agree that the $ charge is only for non-status pax (SG and above), but still, those less than SG status will feel bad that they have to shell out $.

Some in VA might have thought that charging SG and less for seats will *motivate* pax to fly more and become SG or above, but some pax might find it off putting, especially the other airline doesn't charge for seats (at least domestically. QF charges seat fee for international for non-status and SG and less pax).

Someone in VA might have thought that enforcing pax to pay for seats would look like "select your seat and don't miss out on the comfort of extra leg room or board/de-board first and those puppies need to breathe etc etc", but ultimately it is a money making scheme and makes one wonder if this is a cheap tactic.

Agree that VA has mentioned that they are a "value airline" after coming out of administration, but this self proclamation is only makes the other remaining airline in AU, full service, which, as @Daver6 mentioned might bring the narrative that QF is the only full service airline and let us all buy from QF

From personal experience - having had status for the past few years or flying Flex on multiple airlines - I was used to selecting seats for free. However, in the past few weeks, I had been helping a few colleagues and mates book tickets and all those seats were payable on selection. I was taken aback - MH charges at least US$6 per seat selection, SQ charges, who-woulda-thought-QF charges approx $40/seat on international routes (SYD-BLR QF67, in this case). This comes as a shock to me, however, that is the reality of the world we live in. I usually travel solo, so I either select seats for free as a consequence of my status or I let it go, rock up to check in counter and ask for a seat with shadow please

he's just more comfortable down the back, as far back as you can go".

I can vouch for that - there is something nice about sitting in the back of the plane - especially when the back seats are empty. Was moved from my usual MEL-SYD QF service to a different one and all the forward seats were taken, so I was given something like 25C or something at the back and I have to say - I was the only pax in the 5 or 6 rows. Literally no one next to me or in the rows before and after me. FAs stop by for a chat etc.

 

[Harrison_133]

Agree that the $ charge is only for non-status pax (SG and above), but still, those less than SG status will feel bad that they have to shell out $.

Playing devils advocate here, they can still select Rows 15-30 for free.

This just gives <SG pax the option to pay to access seats ahead of time that they were previously blocked from. Or, as was the case before, they can wait until check-in opens for seats in the forward section to become available for free:

For leisure travellers like ourselves who generally plan/book well in advance, won’t be a problem. But for short notice trips it might be a problem for status fliers ?

Good point. I hadn’t considered this. Realistically though, how many people are likely to fork out an extra $9-14, when they can select the rear section for free?

 

[luckypierre]

Good point. I hadn’t considered this. Realistically though, how many people are likely to fork out an extra $9-14, when they can select the rear section for free?

I probably wouldn’t. Previously prior to attaining status were vey happy near the rear, handy for quick disembarkation via rear stairs. Perhaps there may be a perceived status for some passengers by paying the extra $$ for forward seating?

 

[ols]

I can vouch for that - there is something nice about sitting in the back of the plane - especially when the back seats are empty. Was moved from my usual MEL-SYD QF service to a different one and all the forward seats were taken, so I was given something like 25C or something at the back and I have to say - I was the only pax in the 5 or 6 rows. Literally no one next to me or in the rows before and after me. FAs stop by for a chat etc.

Yep.
If not right up the front then right up the back.
Plenty of space, easy access to toilet, first off with rear exit.
I call it the "economy suite"

 

[PERLHR]

Funny how on X and Facebook the Virgin propaganda machine is not in force like it is with its gimmicks in this one though!

I see little advantage although it depends on the ticket price. However I think it's just give more business to QF. At least you get a bit of food, a few drinkies and seat selection included in the ticket as well.as your baggage. Bad time to introduce this VA I think and free advertising for QF.

 

[PERLHR]

Yep.
If not right up the front then right up the back.
Plenty of space, easy access to toilet, first off with rear exit.
I call it the "economy suite"

Until there is Qs for the bathroom(s) and people standing possibly in your space, strange odours wafting, and hopeless when "exit only from front doors".

 

[twinaisle]

Qantas charge for the same seat selection so VA has pretty much aligned itself with the same thing no?

 

[PERLHR]

Is it not only the silly Row 9 (why is it preferred anyway) and emergency exit seats only QF charge?

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Is it not only the silly Row 9 (why is it preferred anyway) and emergency exit seats only QF charge?

On the 737, QF holds back the forward rows (I believe usually ahead of row 10?) exclusively for status holders until check-in/T-80. AFAIK, those forward seats can't be assigned even with a charge to bronze (if not also silver).

Everything behind row 10 (bar exit rows and manual blocks) is fair game.