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Would you pay to not have to sit next to a stranger on your Virgin Atlantic flight to Florida? For UK visitors heading to Florida in the near-future it looks like this could be a very real option. Virgin Atlantic have added something called Neighbour Free seating to the upgrades and extras section of their website.
Reading the terms and conditions this is going to be offered to those passengers in Economy Classic, giving fliers with the least space the chance to have more room without the hefty price jump to Upper Class or Premium Economy. It’s an interesting proposition, that’s not yet happening on the Florida route, but is already part of Virgin Australia’s upgrade options and being trialled on flights from the UK. However at the time of writing, Virgin Atlantic have not released an official statement about this option, so we’re expecting further updates.
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What is Virgin Atlantic's Neighbour-Free Seating?
Hiding in the fine print of Virgin Atlantic's Online Upgrade Auction Terms and Conditions, the airline is rolling out a system that allows passengers to place a cash bid to keep the seat next to them empty for the duration of the flight. Rather than paying a fixed fee, the system operates as a blind auction like the seat auctions. You decide how much that extra space is worth to your family, submit your offer, and Virgin Atlantic decides whether to accept it based on flight capacity and demand.
If you win the bid, you get the seat. And because no one is sitting in it, there is no APD to pay. This means you’ll have extra space to spread out, and won’t feel awkward asking people to move when you want to get in and out.
Who Qualifies for the Empty Seat Auction?
Virgin Atlantic are only offering this to passengers flying in Economy Classic, and there are some strict rules as to exactly will be eligible, which mean this option may not be of benefit to UK families:
Passenger / Fare Type | Eligible to Bid? |
|---|---|
Economy Classic | Yes |
Economy Light | No |
Reward Flights (Booked with Virgin Points) | No |
Solo Travellers & Parties of Two in Economy Classic | Yes |
Groups of 3+ or Travelling with an Infant on Lap in Economy Classic | No |
How the Bidding Process Works
If your booking fits the eligibility criteria, you can bid, and the auction works as follows:
Submit a bid via the "My Booking" portal on the Virgin Atlantic website or through a secure link provided in pre-flight emails
You can modify or cancel your bid up to 60 hours before departure, giving you a decent window to change your mind or budget.
You will find out if your bid was successful at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure.
If accepted, your card is charged automatically, and the fee becomes non-refundable.
It is worth keeping in mind that the empty seat is exactly that: an empty seat. You cannot use it to store cabin baggage during the flight, and winning a bid does not grant you any extra checked luggage allowance or another in-flight meal.
Will This Be Available for Orlando Flights?
While the terms and conditions are officially live, Virgin Atlantic has confirmed to Head for Points, who broke the story today, that the option is only being trialled on UK flights to Seattle.
"Virgin Atlantic has told us that ‘Neighbour-Free Seating’ is currently being trialled on flights from Heathrow to Seattle, for travel from July onewards. You can bid now if you have a booking!"
There is no date or confirmation of when this will be available on Orlando, Florida flights.
Is It Worth Considering For Flights To Florida
The flight to Florida is around 9 hours from the UK and for many couples, who this upgrade is really targeting, it will be an appealing option to get more space without paying more for Premium or Upper Class. Depending on the cost, it will definitely appeal to those passengers who are taller and struggle with the up to 31” pitch of the seats, as well as those who prefer to avoid sitting with a stranger.
Currently, the Neighbour-Free Seating option is rolling out gradually, and there is no concrete confirmation on when or how frequently it will appear on the direct London Heathrow (LHR) or Manchester (MAN) routes to Orlando International Airport (MCO). Florida flights are incredibly busy, especially during UK school holidays-meaning the airline may frequently have zero empty seats available to auction off. However, if you are travelling during the off-peak season (such as late January or September) on an Economy Classic ticket, keeping an eye on your Virgin Atlantic app in the weeks leading up to your departure might be worth it. Just remember not to bid more than you are happy paying, and remember a bid does not guarantee success.
Magic In A Minute
Virgin Atlantic are brining out a new upgrade for passengers in Economy Classic called Neighbour-Free Seating which gives the chance to bid on an empty seat so you don’t have to sit next to a stranger. Currently being tested, the upgrade has yet to be confirmed as an upgrade option across the entire fleet.