There are three main aircraft types in the Virgin Australia fleet; the Boeing 737-800, Airbus A330-200 and Boeing 777-300ER. The Economy and Business class seats on each of these plane types are quite different. For example, Virgin Australia’s Business class seats range from recliners to lie-flat beds. On the Boeing 777-300ER, which is used for flights to and from Los Angeles, Premium Economy seating is also available.
So that you know what to expect, we’ve put together a guide to Virgin Australia aircraft seats. This guide also details which are the best and worst seats on each aircraft type.
The Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800
The Boeing 737 is the backbone of the Virgin Australia domestic and international short-haul fleet. Virgin has 79 Boeing 737-800 aircraft (plus two Boeing 737-700s), so there is a very good chance you’ll be on one of these planes when you fly with Virgin Australia.
There is no seatback in-flight entertainment on Virgin’s Boeing 737s. Instead, you can stream content to your personal handheld device via the Virgin Australia Entertainment App. Virgin is also currently rolling out in-flight wifi across its entire mainline fleet.
Boeing 737 Business seats
There are two rows of Business class on the Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800. The leather recliner seats are laid out in a 2-2 configuration. There is ample legroom in both rows, but there is a bulkhead in front of row one. Many frequent flyers prefer the second row of Business as you can stretch your legs out underneath the seat in front.
These seats are perfectly adequate for short flights, but they are clearly inferior to the fabulous Business product offered on Virgin’s wide-body aircraft. If you have a choice of aircraft types, you may prefer to choose an A330 flight (especially if it’s an overnight service).
Boeing 737 Economy seats
The leather Economy seats on Virgin’s Boeing 737-800s are laid out in a standard 3-3 configuration. The best seats are definitely in row 3. These seats are designated as Economy X seats, as are rows 4, 5, 13 and 14 which also have more legroom. Economy X seats are available for free to Velocity Platinum members and offered for purchase to everyone else. Prices start at around $35 per flight.
Avoid seat 9A as there is no window at this row.
The Virgin Australia Airbus A330-200
Virgin’s six Airbus A330 aircraft are predominantly used on flights to Hong Kong, Tokyo and trans-continental domestic flights between Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. These aircraft are also used occasionally between Sydney and Melbourne, and on weekends to/from Fiji.
Airbus A330 “the business”
Virgin Australia markets its A330 Business class seats as “the business”, and justifiably so. Laid out in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration, direct aisle access is available from each of these fully lie-flat seats. The seats are comfortable and private, and there is a large entertainment screen. “the business” is definitely a stylish way to fly!
Airbus A330 Economy seats
The leather Economy class seats are laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration and there is a seatback entertainment screen at every seat. There is 31 inches of legroom, which is fairly standard. Row 28, the exit row, is designated as Economy X. If you want a view outside, avoid row 39 as the window is partially obscured.
The Virgin Australia Boeing 777-300ER
Virgin has five Boeing 777s which are used on trans-Pacific flights between Australia and Los Angeles. These aircraft all have wifi and seat-back in-flight entertainment, and are configured with Economy, Premium Economy and Business class.
Boeing 777-300ER “the business”
Virgin has also fitted its Boeing 777s with lie-flat “the business” seats in the pointy end.
These seats are similar to the excellent Business product on the A330, except that there is also a Business class bar on board! This is located in the galley area between rows 7 and 8.
Boeing 777-300ER Premium Economy seats
There are three rows of Premium Economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout. These cloth-covered recliner seats are wider and have substantially more legroom than Economy, with 41 inches of seat pitch. (That’s 3 inches more space than Qantas Premium Economy.)
Boeing 777-300ER Economy seats
Economy is configured in a relatively comfortable 3-3-3 layout (compared to 3-4-3 on many other airlines, including Air New Zealand and Emirates!). The best seats are the Economy X seats in the mini-cabin from rows 20-24, as well as the exit row seats. Beware that the exit row seats are missing a window. If you’re travelling as a couple, there are a couple of seat pairs at the rear of the aircraft – but these are right beside the toilets.
