Virgin has begun the roll out of “Neighbour-Free Seating” – an option that lets you bid to keep the seat next to you free. This could be a useful if you want extra width, say for more elbow room!
This will initially be offered on a small number of routes from September 2025. Over time, it will progressively rollout across domestic and short-haul international flight operated by Boeing 737.
Neighbour Free Seating
Virgin Australia will be offering two mechanisms that may enable you to get an empty seat next to you.
- You will be able to make a bid for an empty seat next to you, after you have made your booking. Basically, you will be able to submit an offer, enter your payment details then wait for a result. If you are successful, you will receive an email no later that two hours prior to the flight.
- In some case, you will be able to instantly purchase a neighbour free seat within 48 hours of departure. This will be immediately confirmed.
The ability to bid for Neighbour Free seating is only available in the Economy cabin, and excludes Economy X.
Conditions
All that said, Virgin Australia says that Neighbour-Free Seating will still be subject to operational needs. So, it is possible that, even after confirmation, you may lose your empty seat. For example, if the flight becomes full for some reason, you could lose it. In these situations, you will be notified and automatically refunded.
Being in Economy, you could bid for both a Neighbour-Free seat and an Upgrade to Business. The Business Upgrade will take priority if both happen to be successful.
Routes
Initially, Neighbor Free seating will be available on the following routes:
- Brisbane-Samoa
- Sydney-Melbourne
- Sydney-Brisbane
- Sydney-Perth
- Melbourne-Adelaide
- Melbourne-Perth
- Melbourne-Bali
- Brisbane-Cairns
Final Words
If this sounds like something you’ve heard before, you’d be right. Qantas have had something similar in place for a while. While it offers an additional option for customers, it will also provide an additional revenue stream to the airline.
I like the idea of a neighbour-free seat. In my case, I find I long for more width in a seat that legroom. So, perhaps I’ll give it a go!
Further details are available at Virgin Australia
