VA Launch Economy Space + on 777 routes

[Standby]

Sounds pretty good but sort of downtrades the value of PY with the addons

Virgin Australia Launch Economy Space plus | Virgin Australia

 

[Ausbt]

So 40 extra pax in the premium check-in line then?

 

[clipped_wings]

So 40 extra pax in the premium check-in line then?

With J upsizing to 37 pax and PY downsizing to 20, I think the differential will be about 23 extras. Perhaps there'll be a dedicated counter, or Y+ and PY sharing one, while J remains exclusive. Our holiday will be over before this takes place anyway, so it won't concern us. I do wonder though, where will a WP sit in Y now? Over the wing soon.....

 

[razors_girl23]

I have purchased similar on my flight with Hawaiian next month, but they don't have PE. I'm not sure I understand the point of offering the extra perks. Charge for the extra leg room and leave it at that. If you want special treatment, pay for PE or J.

If my husband read this by the way, it'd probably reiterate his opinion that I've become a flying snob

 

[eastwest101]

Sorry not really clear but is this actually anything to do with a reconfiguration of the front 5 rows of VA B777-300s main Y cabin or is it just a case of charging extra for something that was previously free? If they are trying to monetise the front rows of the main Y class cabin I can see some interesting issues with bassinet seats and pax with babies. So the new B777 aircraft config will have 1-2-1 lay flat J class, 2-4-2 abreast with 41" pitch Premium Economy, 3-3-3 abreast 34" pitch Economy Space + and just normal 3-3-3 with say 32" pitch Economy class - I think that's correct?

Not very clear at all what the product actually is? Maybe I am cynical but possibly this is no accident? Just found the new B777 seatmap on the VA site - so when you boil it down they are trying to charge an extra $135-$165 each way for 2" of legroom and better headphones for normal economy seats....

 

[Bagpuss]

Sorry not really clear but is this actually anything to do with a reconfiguration of the front 5 rows of VA B777-300s main Y cabin or is it just a case of charging extra for something that was previously free? If they are trying to monetise the front rows of the main Y class cabin I can see some interesting issues with bassinet seats and pax with babies. So the new B777 aircraft config will have 1-2-1 lay flat J class, 2-4-2 abreast with 41" pitch Premium Economy, 3-3-3 abreast 34" pitch Economy Space + and just normal 3-3-3 with say 32" pitch Economy class - I think that's correct?

Not very clear at all what the product actually is? Maybe I am cynical but possibly this is no accident? Just found the new B777 seatmap on the VA site - so when you boil it down they are trying to charge an extra $135-$165 each way for 2" of legroom and better headphones for normal economy seats....

Economy Space+ is actually the emergency exit rows in economy. Now with extra perks.

 

[kevrosmith]

Economy Space+ is actually the emergency exit rows in economy. Now with extra perks.

It's also the first 5 rows of the main cabin.

"Located in the first five rows and the exit rows of the main cabin on Virgin Australia’s Boeing 777-300ER fleet, Economy Space + features:"

 

[serfty]

Ouch ... glad I already have row 20 allocated for later this year.

 

[deepblerg]

I do wonder though, where will a WP sit in Y now? Over the wing soon.....

This Economy Space + product sounds just like Delta's Economy Comfort Plus. And like Delta, VA should offer these seats for free to WP's.

I doubt there are many WP's flying Y anyway so they could still earn good revenue from everyone else. This would also be a great addition to the already nice personal welcome from the CSM in flight and first meal delivery...

On 2nd thoughts, I'm sure VA would've crunched the numbers on this as I'm sure this product is driven by their need to increase international revenue. Because there's no mention of WP's in the press release it may be that there are actually a decent amount of WP's who fly Y, which would therefore cancel out any potential revenue earn.

 

[Boof1]

I think this is aimed at those that took advantage of the almost regular discounted W class that VA used to fill the W cabin as most of the perks you can get with status such as priority check in and boarding (which almost gives you a dedicated overhead bin) or you can buy (NC Headsets). They would know that a large percentage of pax wanted the W class perks but were not paying the price advertised and waiting for the Happy Hour or sale fares to come plus the amount of either points or Upgrade bids happening. This is a way of getting that extra revenue over the Y fare that was coming anyway through the discount W fares but having the reduced seat count in the W cabin, which in turn lifts the yield in both cabins despite the seat count changes.

I'm not a fan as I think that there are far more important areas of the VA business that need attention right now. The ridiculous focus and huge expense on the 77W and A330 refit at a time when there are 70 odd single aisle jets running around with a poor excuse for a J class, silly cut backs in catering on all services, and an overall decline in passengers shows how misguided VA have become. The 77W J class looks great, but I doubt it's going to lift revenue so much that the aircraft suddenly becomes profitable, and as for the massive overkill on the transcon A330 J class well the mind boggles.

Economy Space + at between $270 and $330 extra won't make up for the revenue shortfall from the smaller W cabin, and with what is alleged to be significant losses on the long haul product you have to question why the focus on this part of the business when core of the business is also struggling in the domestic market.

 

[travelislife]

Ah the days when 34 inches was standard! I think Thai might still have some of their 747s with 34 inch seating.

 

[docjames]

No doubt the space+ product is designed to squeeze more revenue and to align with Delta's offering.

 

[smatho10]

Just flew VA 1 in row 21ABC the first left hand side row. Now apart from the bassinet row (which he had for miss 6.month old) it has a generous room to the bulkhead which is a toilet. Now this toilet is curtained off but FA told us to skip through. Funny enough it is curtained off to the PE in front as well. Now 21C is a peach as you stare down the walkway back into PE and J on take of and landing.. DEF is set closer to the bulkhead and hence row 20 is designated. Try to avoid that row. Now the rest of the rows are quite generous in the pitch, which I noticed would of been great for premium VFF. I guess not now...

Great if you get the front cabin but at that price you will be up with the "kids"

 

[smit0847]

I'm surprised they didn't go 3-4-3 in Y during the refit. If they're trying to squeeze extra revenue out of Y pax this is an area to do it. I spit the average Joe on an $800 sale fare will care much about the width of the seat.

 

[MarkD]

Sounds pretty much like they are just selling platinum benefits minus lounge access to me. Will see what eventuates, i guess they need to tighten things up a bit or they wont be around much longer. Im not concerned as a platinum, they have pretty much always looked after me. All things considered i have found myself looking at air asiax and scoot biz offerings and they actually seem like a better optiin than being loyal, flying Y and maintaining status

 

[TomVexille]

Ah the days when 34 inches was standard! I think Thai might still have some of their 747s with 34 inch seating.

There are still several airlines with a 34in pitch in Y

 

[travelislife]

There are still several airlines with a 34in pitch in Y

Oh, are you able to provide some names? Am talking standard Y, none of this pay extra or plus stuff.

 

[TomVexille]

Oh, are you able to provide some names? Am talking standard Y, none of this pay extra or plus stuff.

JL has certain aircraft with 34in, and OZ is 34 on most and 33 on the 380s I believe. I feel like there's another but I can't seem to remember off the top of my head.

 

[Bagpuss]

So it seems on domestic flights they are branding the exit row seats as Space+ when booking online.
I wonder if domestic travellers get all the extra perks?

 

[newmarket]

I doubt there are many WP's flying Y.

I do! I'll spring for PE when there is a deal.

since Economy plus doesn't start until August and there aren't any PE deals for travel in the next couple of weeks, what is the recommendation for economy seats in the new config. I always liked row 20 aisle outbound and window inbound on the old l e up.

Is the location of the toilet at the front a problem?

BTW - anyone know of a PE deal for a trip to LA in the next couple of weeks?

thanks,