Virgin Australia Neighbour-Free Seating

[Mattg]

Virgin is rolling out the same Neighbour-Free Seating concept that Qantas introduced a couple of years ago. Basically, you can bid to have the seat next to you kept empty.

You can bid for Neighbour-Free in the same way you bid for an upgrade to business class. Or, within 48 hours of departure VA might offer Neighbour-Free for a fixed price. I've seen other airlines offer this recently when checking in online, such as Kenya Airways (of all airlines). Prices start from $30, according to VA.

It's not available in Economy X or J.

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/travel-info/onboard-experience/neighbour-free-seating/

Initially this product is available on the following routes:

• Melbourne-Adelaide
• Melbourne-Sydney
• Brisbane-Sydney
• Brisbane-Cairns
• Melbourne-Perth
• Sydney-Perth
• Brisbane-Samoa
• Melbourne-Bali

 

[kerfuffle]

I'd rather the seat behind me be free so that my bottom isn't assaulted by someone rifling in the seat pocket every 30 seconds when sitting in Y

Edit: Just had a look for my upcoming SYD-MEL return flight early October while looking at my Upgrade bids. Minimum bid is $30, max bid (at the moment) is $40

 

[ols]

Only really handy for Gold or below or no status.
It would be rare for platinum and above not to be Economy X or J

 

[aspro2]

But the same problem as always exists with this: Where you are in a row of 3+ seats, it will be hard to comfortably and practically "protect" the spare seat from encroachment by the adjacent passenger.

 

[justinbrett]

I’d rather Y with a NFS than YX and a neighbour.

But the same problem as always exists with this: Where you are in a row of 3+ seats, it will be hard to comfortably and practically "protect" the spare seat from encroachment by the adjacent passenger.

QF is quite clear that it is not your seat. They specifically say you can’t use it to store hand luggage etc. All you get is the absence of a neighbour. My mindset is the space is shared 50/50 with the other pax like when this happens by luck.

However, if someone physically sits in the sit or otherwise monopolies the space you’re within your rights to show your boarding pass where it states you booked the NFS.