- Virgin Australiahasoverhauledits Economy airfarestointroduce three new fare types-Economy Lite, Economy Choice and Economy Flex- which allow customers to choose the option which best suitsthem.
- The new faresputchoice in the hands of customers, enabling them to fly withVirgin Australia, their way.
- The move adds to Virgin Australia's unique offer as the only Australian airline to offer Economy,Economy X and Business Class seat choices plus making it possible to buy a seat-only Economy fare in addition to the choice of a great value all inclusive fare.
- The new fares are based on the airline's ongoing product and pricing review which found nearlyonein everythreecustomers don'tbring acheckedbag when they travel[1].
- The new fares will reducethelowest lead-in fare (the seat-only Economy Lite) to just $59[2],a 33 per cent reduction compared to September 2019 prices.
- Irrespectiveof fare type,guests will be able to earn Velocity Frequent Flyer Pointsand Status Credits with every booking.
Thursday19August:FlyingwithVirgin Australiais evenmore affordableandpassenger-friendlythan ever before,following the introduction of a new range of Economy airfaresgiving Aussie travellersand businessesgreater choice andmoreoptions.
From today, VirginAustraliaisintroducingbrand newEconomy faresincluding Economy Choice, Economy Flex and Economy Lite, each of which will offer different booking options.
Travellers will continue to receive 23 kilograms of checked baggageand seat selection when they book an Economy ChoiceorEconomy Flex fare.Economy Choice will also offer bonus Velocity Frequent Flyer Points and Status Credits and bookingflexibilityforchanges up to 14 days prior to departure without paying a fee.
Following areview of fares, pricing andbookings, which found thatan average of30 per cent of customers did not use their checked baggage allowance, the airlineisalsointroducingan Economy Lite seat-only fare,giving travellers the option toremovethe unwanted cost of checked baggagefromtheir ticket price.
The move positionsVirgin Australia as the only Australian airline to offer Economy, EconomyX, seat-only Economy fares and Business Class, givingcustomersthe most diversifiedrangeofairfareoptions in thedomesticmarket.It will also bringVirgin Australia in line with most major US and European carriers.
The new fares will reduce Virgin Australia's lowest lead-in Economy fare to just $59, which is a 33 per cent reduction when compared to September 2019 prices.
A Virgin Australia Group spokesperson said the new fares follow an extensive review of the airline's fare pricing and structure.
"We discovered that nearlyonein everythreeVirgin Australia customers don'tbringacheckedbag when they travel, despitea bagallowance builtintotheir airfare. On flights between Melbourne, Sydneyand Brisbane, that number is even higher.
"Today we're puttingthe power back in the hands of our customersbyleaving it up tothemto choosewhatthey want.If they don't want acheckedbagor seat selection, they won't have to pay forit- it's that simple.If they prefer to keep the extras, thereare great value inclusive fareoptionsavailable.
"Every customer is unique and has different needs and budgets, andwe want to welcome all of them onboardtoexperience our award-winning service, in the way that best suits them," they said.
Today's announcement will see Virgin Australiacustomers, regardless of the fare type they purchase,continue to enjoy the Virgin Australia experience they've come to know and love -on-time performance, award-winning cabin crew service, complimentary tea,coffeeand water onallflights, and Velocity Frequent Flyer Pointsand Status Credits earn with every booking.
Equally, Virgin Australia Club members, eligible Velocity Frequent Flyer and Lounge members will continue to be welcomedto enjoy the airline'spremium and domestic lounges, irrespective of the ticket they buy.
The introduction of the new Economy fares follows the announcement earlier this week that Virgin Australia will retain its premium loyalty program and premium lounges (formerly known as The Club) in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
More information on Virgin Australia's new Economy airfarescan be foundhere.
MORE INFORMATION
- Major US, Pacific and European airlineswho offer similar domestic airfare optionality, includeDelta Air Lines, American Airlines, JetBlue, Air New Zealand and Lufthansa.
- The new Economy airfares will go on sale today, with travel from select dates as follows:
- Economy Choice and Flex from today (19 August 2021)
- Economy Litefrom 20 September 2021(following a systemenhancement)
- Economy Lite will only be available to book directly at www.virginaustralia.com with the fare subject to availability on selectedtravel dates and destinations
- For bookings made from 19 August 2021,Velocitymembers will earn an increased number of Status Credits when flying onaChoiceorFlexfareonselected routes, making it easier for members to reach their Status goals.
- Virgin Australia continuesto offer unlimited booking flexibility on all airfares for travel up to 28 February 2022.The flexibility offered within the Economy Flex fare will be permanent.
[1] based on average customer checked baggage data from CY19 to CY21YTD
[2] 2 Economy Lite fares are available for purchase from 19 August 2021, for travel from 20 September 2021. Available on selected routes and for certain travel dates. 33% reduction in lead-in fares are compared to Getaway fares on the same route in September 2019. $59 price point based on a one-way Economy Lite fare from Sydney to Ballina-Byron booked at virginaustralia.com. Subject to availability. Payment surcharge may apply. Seat selection and checked baggage are not included in Economy Lite fares. Full T&Cs at www.virginaustralia.com
