A well-known airline has launched a new scheme which allows travellers place a bid to keep the seat next to them free on both domestic and international short-haul flights
Great news if you hate being bunched up next to strangers while flying – a major airline is now allowing passengers to bid to keep the seat next to them empty.
This handy new scheme, launched by Virgin Australia, will allow flight passengers to have two seats instead of one. The ‘Neighbour-Free Seating’ option will be available for travellers heading on either domestic and short-haul international flights.
If they select the new option, economy passengers can place a bid through the airline’s app to reserve an additional seat next to them – with the auction starting for as little as £14 but rising upon demand.
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Successful passengers will be informed two hours before their flight departure if they have their seat free, reports The Sun. Of course, there is a possibility that someone may book the empty seat. In this case, the winning passenger will be refunded.
It’s also important to note that while Neighbour-Free Seating provides extra personal space next to the assigned seat, it does not include any additional baggage allowance.
According to Virgin Australia, the new option means passengers will have “a more spacious Economy experience at great value”. The new feature comes after a 2023 survey which found that 42 per cent of Virgin Australia passengers said they would consider paying a fee to have the middle seat empty on international flights longer than three hours.
Additionally, 35 per cent of passengers also said they would do the same for domestic flights more than three hours.
Virgin Australia executive, Libby Minogue said: “Our priority is to give Virgin Australia guests even more value and choice when they choose to fly with us.”
She added: “Neighbour-Free Seating is a clever add-on for Economy travellers who want the certainty of extra space without the price tag. After booking their flight, passengers can bid for the additional seat via the Virgin Australia app.”
A similar feature is offered by other airlines like Qantas and Air France.
Those flying with Air France have the option to pay for the ‘Empty Seat Option – My Extra Space’, when they check-in online or through the airline’s app, allowing them to reserve up to three empty seats next to their own for greater comfort, space and privacy.