- Virgin Australia has today launched Neighbour-Free Seating, a new way for eligible Economy guests to unlock extra comfort for their journey.
- Eligible Economy guests can now submit a bid to reserve an empty seat beside them on select flights, unlocking extra comfort and privacy during their flight.
- The innovative new service is available on select Virgin Australia operated domestic and short-haul international services from 24 September 2025.
Wednesday 24 September 2025: From today, eligible guests on select Virgin Australia operated domestic and short haul international services can bid to keep the seat next to them free, creating a more spacious Economy experience at great value.
The innovative new product, dubbed Neighbour-Free Seating, is set to transform the way Australians travel by letting guests enjoy more space when they fly, at an accessible price point.
A 2023 consumer survey conducted by Velocity Frequent Flyer revealed that 42 per cent of Virgin Australia guests would consider paying a fee to have the middle seat empty on international flights more than three hours, while over a third (35 per cent) would do the same on a domestic flight more than three hours.
Virgin Australia Executive, Libby Minogue said the airline’s latest offering reflects its commitment to customer comfort.
“Our priority is to give Virgin Australia guests even more value and choice when they choose to fly with us. Neighbour-Free Seating is a clever add-on for Economy travellers who want the certainty of extra space without the price tag,” said Ms Minogue.
“We actively listen to guest feedback, and this initiative is a direct response to what our customers have told us they want. It is a step forward in enhancing the onboard experience and a game changer for those who want more comfort and space during their flight,” she said.
How it works
- After booking their flight, eligible Economy guests can submit a bid on the Virgin Australia app to reserve an empty seat next to them.
- Bids start from as low as $30. More information on pricing is available at virginaustralia.com.
- A successful bid will be confirmed no later than two hours prior to the scheduled departure time of the flight.
- Velocity Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus and Forever Gold members (Platinum Plus and Forever Gold launch on 1 October 2025), who have pre-selected their seats and do not bid for Neighbour-Free Seating will not be impacted when Neighbour-Free Seating requests are fulfilled.
The launch of Virgin Australia Neighbour-Free Seating follows the airline’s continued investment in customer innovation at a time of strong growth. The airline recently went on sale with its first Pets in Cabin flights ahead of the launch next month.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT
Virgin Australia Group Corporate Affairs: corporateaffairs@virginaustralia.com or 1800 142 467.
NOTES TO EDITOR
- Neighbour-Free Seating will launch on select routes before a wider rollout: (valid in both directions):
- Melbourne <> Adelaide
- Melbourne <> Sydney
- Brisbane <> Sydney
- Brisbane <> Cairns
- Melbourne <> Perth
- Sydney <> Perth
- Brisbane <> Samoa
- Melbourne <> Bali
- Eligible guests can reserve up to one seat per flight per booking. Only bookings with one or two passengers are eligible.
- Guests seated in Economy X and Business Class are not eligible to bid for or purchase Neighbour-Free Seating.
- Neighbour-Free Seating provides extra personal space next to the assigned seat, but it does not include any additional baggage allowance.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Neighbour-Free Seating availability may change, due to the purchase of Economy Class fares within the Bidding Window. This may impact the availability of Neighbour-Free Seats on the flight. In the event a Neighbour-Free Seating is unable to be provided on the service, a refund will be provided.
Capitalised terms have the same meaning as the defined terms in the Neighbour-Free Seating Terms of Service.
An Offer, when submitted by a Guest, entitles the person or persons named on the Offer to be considered for a Neighbour-Free Seat. If there are multiple Guests in the Original Booking, the Eligible Guest can only submit one Offer for one Neighbour-Free Seat. Successful Offers will be selected by Virgin Australia in its sole and absolute discretion. The amount of an Offer is not determinative of a successful offer. For full terms and conditions including selection criteria refer to the Neighbour-Free Seating Terms of Service. Virgin Australia reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to decide whether or not an Offer is successful, and makes no representation that any Guest will receive a Neighbour-Free Seat, regardless of whether or not seats are available for which an Offer is made.
Eligible flights may have a range or set price from which you can select the value you want to submit as your Offer. The strength indicator appearing on the bidding page is there to help you determine how strong your Offer is. The gauge is to be used as a guide, not confirmation that your Offer will be successful. An AUD$2 authorisation hold will be placed on the payment card account used to submit the Offer (Account) in order to verify the Account is active. This is not a charge and this authorisation hold amount will be removed from the Account when an Offer is either selected as being successful or unsuccessful.
Eligible Guests are only permitted to submit an Offer from the date on which Virgin Australia begins accepting the submission of Neighbour-Free Seat Offers until 2 hours before the scheduled departure of the flight to which an Offer relates (Bidding Window). Eligible Guests may modify or cancel an Offer at any time until the earlier of a) the Eligible Guest’s Offer being selected as successful, or b) 2 hours prior to the schedule departure time of the flight (Cancellation Window). Eligible Guests may submit, modify, or cancel an Offer through the link in the email or by accessing the Offer from the Virgin Australia Neighbour-Free Seat Website, prior to the closure of the Bidding or Cancellation Window (as applicable), and provided the Guest has not been charged for the successful Offer.
Read the full terms and conditions.
