Virgin Australia adds “Neighbour-Free Seating”
Neighbour-Free Seating. PC: Virgin Australia
From today, Virgin Australia Economy travellers on selected routes can pay to keep the seat beside them empty — more elbow room, less armrest wrestling. You can either bid after booking in the VA app, or on some flights buy it instantly within 48 hours of departure. Successful bids are confirmed no later than two hours before take-off.
How it works
Bid in the app after booking. You’ll see a strength gauge and set your price. If your bid doesn’t clear, you aren’t charged.
Instant purchase on some flights. Inside T-48 hours, an outright buy option may appear instead of bidding.
Operational changes = refund. If the seat is needed, the neighbour-free fee is automatically refunded.
Where it’s available
Rolling out across Boeing 737 domestic and short-haul international flights, with early routes including MEL–ADL, MEL–SYD, BNE–SYD, BNE–CNS, MEL–PER, SYD–PER, BNE–Samoa, MEL–Bali and more.
Who can use it
Eligible Economy bookings with 1–2 passengers can reserve one extra seat per booking.
Not available in Business or Economy X rows.
If you bid for neighbour-free and also request a Business upgrade, the Business upgrade wins; the neighbour-free fee is refunded.
What you do and don’t get
Do get: more space - the adjacent seat stays empty.
Don’t get: extra baggage or the right to store items on the empty seat (personal items still go under the seat in front).
Price guide
Pricing varies by route and timing; public guidance suggests bids start from around A$30.
When it’s worth it
Trans-cons & longer hops (e.g., PER sectors, East-coast to Bali/Samoa): extra shoulder and laptop space is gold.
Tall travellers who want comfort without jumping cabins.
Pairs who want a “2-by-block” setup for a quieter row.
Work trips where typing room matters — cheaper than a cabin change, comfier than a tight 3-across.
Tips to maximise your chances
Place a bid early and adjust if the gauge looks weak closer to departure.
Watch the time gates: bids confirm by T-2 hours; instant purchase sometimes appears inside T-48 hours.
Have a plan B: assume you’ll fly standard 3-across in case a late sell-out overrides your block (you’ll be refunded if so).
Bottom line: If you want Business-lite comfort without the Business price, this is a sharp new lever — especially on 3-3 Economy cabins where that middle seat makes or breaks your personal space.
How to try it: Manage your booking in the Virgin Australia app or website, check if your flight is eligible, and place a bid (or look for the instant purchase option) before departure. Terms, routes and pricing vary.
FAQ
Q: What is Neighbour-Free Seating?
A: A paid option in Economy on selected Virgin Australia flights to keep the seat beside you empty.
Q: How do I get it?
A: Bid after booking in the VA app, or on some flights buy it outright within 48 hours of departure. Confirmations land by around T-2 hours.
Q: Who is eligible?
A: Economy bookings (usually 1–2 passengers) on selected routes. Not available in Business or Economy X rows.
Q: Does it include extra baggage or perks?
A: No—just the extra space. Standard baggage rules apply.
Q: What happens if the seat is needed?
A: If operations need the seat, Virgin typically refunds the fee.
