Virgin goes budget with ‘economy light’ flights

VIRGIN Atlantic is to launch a new ‘economy light’ class designed to compete with rivals offering cheaper fares.

The airline is offering its first hand baggage only ticket as part of a major overhaul of its economy service.

The move is aimed at fending off the growing challenge from budget airlines in the long haul sector, which has been spearheaded by Norwegian Air.

Virgin plans three types of economy ticket. Economy light is intended for ‘millennials and customers jetting off on city breaks’ and will only allow passengers to take hand luggage on board. However, Norwegian, British Airways and Wowair offer a similar fare.

At the other end of the spectrum will be the ‘economy delight’ fare, which will offer more legroom, priority boarding, checked luggage and seat selection at any time.

A third ‘economy classic’ grade will not offer priority boarding or extra legroom.

The new fares are expected to be introduced in the Spring.

Craig Kreeger, Virgin Atlantic’s chief executive, said it was ‘the biggest change to our economy cabin in over a decade’.

The plans come days after British Airways revealed cheap hand baggage only fares from April on transatlantic flights.

But it has been criticised for reducing legroom to squeeze more seats on to the plane.