Virgin Australia rolls out Economy X 'extra legroom' seats

Virgin Australia's new Economy X 'extra legroom' seats are now flying across the airline's entire fleet – from its domestic workhorse Boeing 737s and long-range Boeing 777-300ER jets to the Airbus A330s, Embraer E190s and even the nimble Fokkers and ATR turboprops used on regional routes.

In each of those aircraft anywhere from one row to five rows of the economy cabin now boast a minimum of 3 inches (7.62cm) of extra pitch or legroom.

Other components of the Economy X package include reserved overhead locker space, to which you also have dibs due to priority boarding...

... and on international flights there's premium check-in, a 'guaranteed first meal choice' and the same noise-cancelling headset as handed out to business class travellers.

Virgin Australia group executive John Thomas says there's been "incredible demand" since the rollout of Economy X began last month.

Economy X legroom in pictures

So how does that extra legroom translate in the real world?

Here's the view at row 4 on Virgin Australia's Boeing 737, where Economy X delivers a 34 inch pitch (we measured 15 inches from the front of the cushion to the rear of the seat ahead).

For comparison's sake, this is the legroom at a standard economy seat: a much tighter fit at the knees, with the 31 inch pitch translating into 11.5 inches from the front of your seat cushion to the rear of the seat in front.

Those extra three inches of Economy X make quite a difference in comfort.

Of course, row 3 (located directly behind the bulkhead wall of the business class cabin rows) remains the prize pick with a stretch-friendly 30 inches of legroom.

How much does Economy X cost?

The price for that inflight comfort plus other conveniences begins at $29 on short domestic flights such as Sydney-Melbourne and Sydney-Brisbane, with the cost increasing as flights become longer.

Trans-Tasman flights as well as Melbourne-Perth will cost $49, with Sydney-Perth and Brisbane-Perth at $59, topping out at $149 between Australia and Los Angeles.

Note that Velocity Platinum frequent flyers will be able to pre-select Economy X seats free of charge on domestic and trans-Tasman flights – although not on international routes – when making their booking or any time before check-in, along with any companions travelling on the same booking.

However, Platinums will no longer enjoy exclusive access to the prized row 3 on the Boeing 737s – that row is also be available to any passenger regardless of status, provided they pay the Economy X surcharge and know to select a seat in row 3.

Here's the full breakdown of Economy X seating across the Virgin fleet.

Reader comments on Economy X are encouraged below, however comments regarding Virgin's overall business model and financials should be made in this discussion in our Community section: Virgin Australia is still not making money