Virgin Atlantic has just announced some changes to their economy experience. Essentially Virgin Atlantic is aligning their products with Delta, given that Delta owns a stake in Virgin Atlantic and also has a transatlantic joint venture with them. Delta introduced basic economy fares on select transatlantic flights last December, so it's only logical that Virgin…
Continue reading: Virgin Atlantic Introducing Basic Economy & Bundled Extra Legroom Economy
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Imho not clever to use both light and delight. Might lead to a lot of confusion for non-native speakers, especially in loud airport environments with unclear announcements.
All these names will be confusing for even frequent flyers (if they frequently flyer other airlines but not VS).
Personally, I don't think Economy Delight offers much except maybe 2" of legroom, which is worth something but not that much.
Hand baggage only is do-able except not just a personal item only. Of course, I might start wearing worn clothes that are thrown away on the trip to create space for shopping.
In twenty years of flying, I never found a reason to fly VS - and certainly won't find one going forward either.
Bundling premium check in and prioritity boarding with extra legroom could potentially cannibalize their premium economy offer that is often available for a small up charge.
Max - Under what circumstances will there be airport announcements talking about Economy Light and Delight? Just about the only time will be when calling them for boarding - in which case they can very easily just not use the phrase delight but "all passengers with priority boarding can board now".
I’m guessing they don’t want or expect to sell many HBO fares. It just means their name appears at the top of the list when search engines look for flights and, as a default, rank the cheapest first. Sooner or later almost every airline will have this type of fare.
You mention a few times it doesn't lead to lower air fare, it may be true for the most part stateside but Aer Lingus have consistently had flights at €320 return from Dublin to the East Coast and €450 to the West Coast which is incredible. Admittedly that is also influenced by Norwegian but we'd never seen fares that low with EI before, it can now be cheaper to go to the US than Europe from Dublin.
Anyone else find it funny that the picture associated with the 'Light' fare, AKA hand bag only is a lady putting a large roller bag in the overhead bin?
I think the statement "basic economy is not leading to lower fares" is missing the point, even if correct:
The legacy had to match the fares of LCC on transatlantic flights already - and are probably loosing money on it.
Now, they/some are adjusting the product to make those low fares sustainable, and maybe loose less money...
I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop: a Basic Economy hard product with 29in pitch, slimline, no padding seats and no recline...
LCC in Asia already have that on long-haul flights, very uncomfortable...
Many travelers just want the lowest fare - be careful what you wish for...
What about customers who have already paid for an allocated seat on a Virgin Classic fare, prior to this change? It's cost me an extra £120 . Will I be refunded?
SEE POST BY CHANDLER IS HAND BAGGAGE WITH REGARD TO THE ECONOMY LIGHT FARE THE SAME THING AS
CARRY ON ONLY I.E. ANYTHING THAT WILL FIT IN AN OVERHEAD BIN