Virgin Atlantic will soon make economy passengers pay for preferred seats
Virgin Atlantic is further aligning itself with Delta Air Lines, as well as its joint-venture partners Air France and KLM. Effective later this month, the airline will relabel some of its economy seats as Preferred Seats, requiring that passengers pay an added amount to select them.
More specifically, the more Preferred Seats in the economy cabin will include the same as those seen with Delta and other partners. They will be seats near the front of the cabin, exit row seats and duo seats (two seats with no middle seat.).
Sign up to receive the daily TPG newsletter for more airline and industry news!
Preferred seats will cost about $42 for those passengers traveling on full-fare economy tickets. Those traveling in Economy Light, which is Virgin's basic economy fare, will have to pay about $56 for a Preferred Seat.
The change goes into effect March 15, with the first flights in the new price and seating structure to take off from July 5. The airline will notify passengers with existing economy bookings as of Wednesday, giving them a 12-day window to lock in seat selection for free. After March 15, Preferred Seating will be an option for all bookings and they must be purchased.
Like Delta, Air France and KLM's preferred seating options, elites will be entitled to Preferred Seats free of charge. More specifically, Gold members, which is the highest level of status in the Flying Club program, will be able to select a Preferred Seat without any additional cost. Additionally, Delta Platinum and Diamond members will be able to select a Preferred Seat for free. Silver and Red Flying Club members will have to pay.
"The introduction of preferred seating provides our Economy Light and Economy Classic customers more choice and control so they can choose a location in the cabin that suits them," a Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said in a statement. "That could be seats near the front of the aircraft to aid a speedy flight connection, an exit seat to stretch out in, or 'duo' seats for couples. Preferred seating also provides a consistent customer experience with our Joint Venture partners, Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM."
Customers who have already selected a Preferred Seat on a booking will not be charged retroactively. However, if they wish to move to a different Preferred Seat, they will be charged.
In total, Virgin Atlantic says that about 30% of its aircraft economy cabins will be made up of Preferred Seats. The other, non-Preferereed Seats in the economy cabin will still be available to reserve free of charge for economy passengers. However, Economy Light passengers will still be charged to reserve any seat.
This is the latest change from Virgin Atlantic that aligns the carrier with Delta Air Lines. Delta owns 49% of Virgin Atlantic.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.