VA launches seat only tix

VirGin Australia has restructured its Economy ecosystem by creating three new fare types - Economy Lite, Economy Choice & Economy Flex.

The trio of new categories will each offer different booking options for flyers but will all include staples such as in-flight entertainment and carry-on bags of up to 7kg.

Among the key changes of the overhaul is the cheapest Lite category which doesn’t offer customers checked baggage or seat selection (unless purchased at an extra cost) and is only available to purchase on the airline’s site directly.

The new seat only Economy option was driven by an internal review at VA which found nearly one in three customers don’t bring a checked bag with them when they travel.

Lite will also come with a higher degree of booking risk, with travellers incurring an $80 fee plus any fare difference for date changes made before their flight, and the loss of the fare altogether for changes made on the date of departure.

The move sees VA steer towards budget airline territory, an accusation owners Bain Capital were forced to fend off vigorously (TD 14 Oct 2020) when it acquired the airline last year.

Meanwhile Choice and Flex categories will offer up to 23kg of checked-in luggage, bonus Velocity Frequent Flyer points and status credits, as well as booking flexibility for changes made up to 14 days prior to departure without paying a fee, with the major difference between the fares being zero fees paid for any flight changes for customers who elect the Flex option.

The airfares were opened for sale yesterday for any travel dates, except for Economy Lite which will take off on 20 Sep.