Introduction
Virgin Australia has introduced an innovative “Neighbour-Free Seating” program, allowing economy passengers to bid for an empty adjacent seat on select domestic and short-haul international flights. This initiative aims to enhance passenger comfort and provide more space during flights.
What Is Neighbour-Free Seating?
Neighbour-Free Seating is a new offering from Virgin Australia that enables eligible economy passengers to bid for the seat next to them to remain empty. This option is available on select flights operated by Virgin Australia with tickets that contain a “VA” flight number and are issued on Virgin Australia ticket stock. Virgin Australia
Key Features
- Bidding Process: After booking their flight, eligible passengers can submit a bid through the Virgin Australia app to reserve an empty seat beside them. Virgin Australia
- Pricing: Bids start from as low as $30, depending on factors such as flight route, date, and time. Virgin Australia
- Notification: Successful bids are confirmed no later than two hours prior to the scheduled departure time of the flight. Virgin Australia
- Refund Policy: If the seat is later needed for operational reasons, refunds are automatically processed. News.com.au
How to Participate
To participate in the Neighbour-Free Seating program:
- Book an Eligible Flight: Ensure your flight is operated by Virgin Australia and has a “VA” flight number.
- Check Eligibility: Visit the Virgin Australia Neighbour-Free Seating website and enter your booking reference and surname to check if your flight is eligible. Virgin Australia
- Submit a Bid: After booking, submit a bid through the Virgin Australia app to reserve the adjacent seat.
- Wait for Confirmation: You will be notified via email if your bid is successful no later than two hours before departure. Virgin Australia
Benefits of Neighbour-Free Seating
- Enhanced Comfort: Enjoy more space and privacy during your flight.
- Affordable Option: Bid for an empty seat at a fraction of the cost of upgrading to a higher class.
- Flexible Choice: Choose to bid for an empty seat or purchase it outright within 48 hours before departure. News.com.au
- Peace of Mind: If the seat is needed for operational reasons, refunds are automatically processed. News.com.au
Limitations and Considerations
- Eligibility: Neighbour-Free Seating is available only on select flights operated by Virgin Australia. Virgin Australia
- Booking Restrictions: Bookings with three or more passengers are not eligible to bid for Neighbour-Free Seating. Virgin Australia
- Seat Availability: The seat next to you cannot be guaranteed as a Neighbour-Free Seat, as seats may need to be changed for operational, safety, or security reasons, even after boarding the aircraft. Virgin Australia
Customer Feedback
A 2023 consumer survey revealed that 42% of passengers would consider paying a fee to have the middle seat empty on international flights of more than three hours, and 35% would do the same on a long domestic flight. The Australian
Conclusion
Virgin Australia’s Neighbour-Free Seating program offers economy passengers an affordable way to enjoy extra space and comfort during their flights. By allowing passengers to bid for an empty adjacent seat, Virgin Australia is enhancing the economy travel experience and providing more options for passengers seeking additional comfort.
Ready to experience more comfort on your next flight? Check your eligibility and place a bid for a Neighbour-Free Seat through the Virgin Australia app today.
