Economy Light / Classic / Delight

What happens now if you already have an economy ticket booked?
We have a booking for 9 pax in December.

New arrangement not coming into play until Spring next year. I would assume your booking is unaffected.

What happens now if you already have an economy ticket booked?
We have a booking for 9 pax in December.

New arrangement not coming into play until Spring next year. I would assume your booking is unaffected.

The press release says spring 2018, this year.

The reference to spring 2019 is for the new A350s to start joining the fleet.

What happens now if you already have an economy ticket booked?
We have a booking for 9 pax in December.

New arrangement not coming into play until Spring next year. I would assume your booking is unaffected.

The press release says spring 2018, this year.

The reference to spring 2019 is for the new A350s to start joining the fleet.

Oh I see! My apologies. I'm sure I read 2019 on another site. Either way I would still expect existing bookings to be honoured as they always are.

Interesting - so unbundling Y fares just days after BA announced the same. Norwegian really has got BA & VS running scared.

It's a concept that's been running for some time on short-haul routes and let's be honest, it was only going to be a matter of time before these sort of structures that we've become accustomed to on short-haul/LCC's was also offered on long-haul routes and by "legacy" carriers. It was probably a case of Norwegian taking the plunge to be the "first mover" and others are now following suit. Whatever happens to Norwegian, this sort of split pricing/offerings for Y is here to stay so we'll have to get used to it, particularly those who wouldn't be seen dead on a LCC.

At least VS don't seem to be attempting to fit 9-abreast in Y on their A330's similar to what BA is doing by fitting 10-abreast Y cabins to their LGW-based 777's on the claim that their seat mile costs will be lower than Norwegian's.

As to whether it will lead to the cheapest fares being cheaper, I'm personally not convinced but time will tell! Given that fares can be so dynamic, it'll be interesting to see if Delight fares aren't that far off PE fares or more expensive on occasions.

Out of interest, will you be able to buy elements such as checked luggage on top of the Light fare like you can with LCC's on short-haul routes, or is it strictly Classic or Delight only?

By the looks of things, thankfully this isn't going to have any effect on any current V Hols bookings. I was fearing the worst with my Vegas booking as we have a 3 leg trip on the way out (worked out £600 cheaper this way so was able to upgrade on the 2 US domestic DL flights and the return flight from Vegas to Manchester) and the first of those flights is MAN to SFO in Economy. Was worrying about us being bumped down to Economy Light as the flight is obviously part of a package and when we booked it included check in luggage, but I've been happily informed our booking wont be affected. Might be something to consider for future V Hols booking though as I've heard some package holidays when booked have not included any luggage at all, seemingly as their flights in the package are automatically booked in the lowest fare bucket for economy.

[mitchja]

According to VS on Twitter, anyone with an existing economy booking will be in Economy Classic, however, you will still have to pay for advanced seat assignments (unlike the new Economy Classic fares which include seat assignment once those fares go on sale).

I’m not sure about anyone who has already paid for extra leg room seats though?

According to VS on Twitter, anyone with an existing economy booking will be in Economy Classic, however, you will still have to pay for advanced seat assignments (unlike the new Economy Classic fares which include seat assignment once those fares go on sale).

I’m not sure about anyone who has already paid for extra leg room seats though?

I've got ELR seats booked for November via a VHols Package. Just tweeted VS, will update as and when they reply

UPDATE: Nothing changes on existing bookings, so I won't get Premium Security, which is a shame. Will have to add that onto Valet Parking at LGW

A useful grid of the various changes based on your Flying Club level:

Economy Matrix.pdf

Interesting, looks like for Golds the age of free Extra Legroom seats is over. Disappointing for me personally at 6'4" where the regular seat pitch is not enough.

I am curious to know if VS intend to adopt a Delta-style upgrade list whereby Golds can be comped up to ELR/Delight seats within X hours of departure.

I just booked Economy Classic for mid April. As a lifetime Gold holder, I would normally be able to pick ELR seats today, not any more. Either all the Economy Delight seats are already sold, or I am blocked. I HAVE been able to select Exit row seating though (which is my pref) so not all is lost for AU.

So does this mean that we can perhaps get a decent price for an upgradable ticket?

That used to be the way I used my points, but they put up all the upgradable economy tickets to be like £1100 to East coast and £1300 to West...

Someone on another thread did a dummy booking for an LHR-JFK flight and found the difference between Light and Classic was £60 (£449 vs £509). Don’t know if that’s one way or return.

So for that flight £60 gets you a checked bag, seat selection, double the miles you’d get with Light and an upgradeable ticket.

Someone on another thread did a dummy booking for an LHR-JFK flight and found the difference between Light and Classic was £60 (£449 vs £509). Don’t know if that’s one way or return.

So for that flight £60 gets you a checked bag, seat selection, double the miles you’d get with Light and an upgradeable ticket.

That doesn't make Light seem worthwhile. One would probably have to pay £65 for a checked bag and £20(?) for seat selection.

Another little update for those with V Hols bookings. As already stated bookings before the launch are classed as Economy Classic, however before the launch I was able to log into my booking, look at the seat map, and either pay £30 to reserve a normal economy seat as expected and £50 for an extra legroom seat. Now, having logged back in to the booking today, the option to reserve a normal seat is still there at £30, per seat, yet there is no option any more for me to go for the extra legroom seats... The question really is whether or not if had I paid earlier for extra legroom, would this still be honoured or not... Seems that although both V Hols and VA have stated there should be no change at all to the booking (I.E. even though in classic still no option to reserve seats for free as it was booked in Feb) when going in now, further restrictions have been imposed, which I assume can only be for profit related purposes?

Another little update for those with V Hols bookings. As already stated bookings before the launch are classed as Economy Classic, however before the launch I was able to log into my booking, look at the seat map, and either pay £30 to reserve a normal economy seat as expected and £50 for an extra legroom seat. Now, having logged back in to the booking today, the option to reserve a normal seat is still there at £30, per seat, yet there is no option any more for me to go for the extra legroom seats... The question really is whether or not if had I paid earlier for extra legroom, would this still be honoured or not... Seems that although both V Hols and VA have stated there should be no change at all to the booking (I.E. even though in classic still no option to reserve seats for free as it was booked in Feb) when going in now, further restrictions have been imposed, which I assume can only be for profit related purposes?

I have a reward flight booked for September to ATL where I paid for extra leg room. The Booking is now showing as ‘Economy Classic Extra Leg Room’. So it seems I still have extra leg room (34H&34K on the A346) but am on Classic not Delight.

I have a reward flight booked for September to ATL where I paid for extra leg room. The Booking is now showing as ‘Economy Classic Extra Leg Room’. So it seems I still have extra leg room (34H&34K on the A346) but am on Classic not Delight.

Ahhhh, well for us we hadn't decided yet whether or not to go for the extra legroom seats, looks like it may be too late to go through with it now though. If we do decide to, I'll obviosuly ask the question through V Hols/VA first to see if its possible and update here when I can!

Does anyone use corporate travel agents for their corporate travel? My company does and the only economy fares it'll do for Virgin are Economy Light which really sucks, especially as Gold. Our company policy dictates we have to choose the cheapest economy fare who ever we travel with so, and don't mean to sound dramatic, it leaves me rethinking my relationship with Virgin as I go to the UK often for business. Interested to hear if others are affected by this.

FWIW, the Economy Light fares are not actually a cheaper alternative they just made the previous lowest fares Economy Light so now it's actually more expensive to fly economy because you get less. I wish they just increased the fare and kept it the same, personally.

the only economy fares it'll do for Virgin are Economy Light which really sucks, especially as Gold. Our company policy dictates we have to choose the cheapest economy fare who ever we travel with

So what will happen if you need to take checked luggage, as presumably it would be cheaper to buy Classic upfront than pay for Light plus the checked baggage fee?

As for rethinking your relationship with VS, understandable - but remember BA are doing the same thing in case that influences your decision.

Do you think it would be worth asking for a refund for the seat selection I paid when the flight now includes free seat selection if you book the same flight now? If I booked the flight now I'd be £140 richer.

Do you think it would be worth asking for a refund for the seat selection I paid when the flight now includes free seat selection if you book the same flight now? If I booked the flight now I'd be £140 richer.

Highly doubt that would work unfortunately, as the booking was done before the new product was rolled out. With my V Hols booking, I haven't as of yet paid for seat selection for the one leg of our trip that I'd need to. If I wanted to do so anytime before 72 hours before the flight, even though it shows as a 'Economy Classic' booking, because the holiday was booked before the roll out I'd still have to pay per seat to request seat selection at £30 a pop. The only thing different on mine now when I log in, is that I am no longer able to select extra legroom seats as these are all blocked out, whereas before they were showing as selectable but for £50 for those instead of £30 for a standard economy seat.

Anyone know what fare codes these new fares use for ITA?

Another little update for those with V Hols bookings. As already stated bookings before the launch are classed as Economy Classic, however before the launch I was able to log into my booking, look at the seat map, and either pay £30 to reserve a normal economy seat as expected and £50 for an extra legroom seat. Now, having logged back in to the booking today, the option to reserve a normal seat is still there at £30, per seat, yet there is no option any more for me to go for the extra legroom seats... The question really is whether or not if had I paid earlier for extra legroom, would this still be honoured or not... Seems that although both V Hols and VA have stated there should be no change at all to the booking (I.E. even though in classic still no option to reserve seats for free as it was booked in Feb) when going in now, further restrictions have been imposed, which I assume can only be for profit related purposes?

I have a reward flight booked for September to ATL where I paid for extra leg room. The Booking is now showing as ‘Economy Classic Extra Leg Room’. So it seems I still have extra leg room (34H&34K on the A346) but am on Classic not Delight.

That's strange, friend at work upgraded to xtra legroom a few weeks ago for a flight to New York in June, and his are showing as Delight.... I saw his booking with my own eyes, do not hearsay.

Do you think it would be worth asking for a refund for the seat selection I paid when the flight now includes free seat selection if you book the same flight now? If I booked the flight now I'd be £140 richer.

Highly doubt that would work unfortunately, as the booking was done before the new product was rolled out. With my V Hols booking, I haven't as of yet paid for seat selection for the one leg of our trip that I'd need to. If I wanted to do so anytime before 72 hours before the flight, even though it shows as a 'Economy Classic' booking, because the holiday was booked before the roll out I'd still have to pay per seat to request seat selection at £30 a pop. The only thing different on mine now when I log in, is that I am no longer able to select extra legroom seats as these are all blocked out, whereas before they were showing as selectable but for £50 for those instead of £30 for a standard economy seat.

That's rubbish. Seems kind of unfair that I have paid for a service that is now free.

On the seat plan, every single seat is blocked out other than the ones I have already booked. How come? I was finding it useful to see how the capacity was shaping up but now I can't tell!

What happens now if you already have an economy ticket booked?
We have a booking for 9 pax in December.

I'm previously booked to SFO in Economy this coming Aug, back from LAX, and at the time of booking paid the extra £50pp/ew to have 3 x XLR seats in Row 47 on the 787 both ways. I've noticed today that logging onto my booking via the website, it shows my reservation as 'Economy Delight' so it looks like it is giving me the additional benefits now of Premium Check-In & Priority Boarding, which I wasn't expecting when paying for the XLR.

It might be worth you checking your booking on the airline website, and see what Economy type (Light/Classic/Delight) which should show on the far right hand column

What happens now if you already have an economy ticket booked?
We have a booking for 9 pax in December.

I'm previously booked to SFO in Economy this coming Aug, back from LAX, and at the time of booking paid the extra £50pp/ew to have 3 x XLR seats in Row 47 on the 787 both ways. I've noticed today that logging onto my booking via the website, it shows my reservation as 'Economy Delight' so it looks like it is giving me the additional benefits now of Premium Check-In & Priority Boarding, which I wasn't expecting when paying for the XLR.

It might be worth you checking your booking on the airline website, and see what Economy type (Light/Classic/Delight) which should show on the far right hand column

Thanks for the info. I have just tried that but still just says 'economy'
It seems so unfair that to pay for nine of us to sit together would cost £540 (rtn)
If I booked the holiday today, it would be free.
£540 is a huge amount to pay out after already spending £13500 on the package.

Anyone know what fare codes these new fares use for ITA?

Some experimentation got me the same prices between the Virgin Website and ITA Matrix between Classic and X, Light and T, and Delight in V.

That said I'm not sure if fare code alone will determine being in the right section - if someone more familiar knows, I'd be keen to hear.

Similarly I'm sure it's not just these three ticket classes though, so it may be a case of finding some fuller flights and some emptier ones to find any others

[mitchja]

The new VS Economy fares are as follows:

Economy Light - T

Economy Classic - Y, B, R, L, U, M, E, Q, X, N, O

Economy Delight - V