Virgin Australia launches 'Basic Economy' fare

6 replies

Sparksy

Member since 09 Aug 2015

Total posts 12

Virgin Australia now offers a Basic Economy fare on its long-haul flights to Los Angeles, Sydney-Hong Kong and Brisbane-Tokyo. It's called Economy Light, books into M class. Checked baggage is limited to 1 x 23kg bag, compared to 2 x 23kg on other economy fares. You still get the same catering as other economy fares but of course there's no seat selection.

You only get 0.25 Velocity points per mile, not sure about status credits. And there are NO changes allowed. Can't change the date of your flight, can't change your name on the ticket, and the fare is 100% non-refundable, no credits, no nothing.

So how much do you save? Not a lot. I've compared the Basic Economy 'Economy Light' fare for SYD-LAX and SYD-HKG as of late February 2020 and BNE-HND as of late April 2020.

SYD-LAX Economy Light = $871, Economy Getaway = $920

SYD-HKG Economy Light = $560, Economy Getaway = $599

BNE-HND Economy Light = $418, Economy Getaway = $448


LostInTransit

Member since 11 Sep 2015

Total posts 5

Very interesting but not much of a 'saving'.

planesa380

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 05 Sep 2013

Total posts 77

Virgin's “Light Fare” does not equal economy basic it still has a bag.

It's more a new promo fare bucket to improve yields (think happy hour tickets and other promos). It will create more favourable terms to the airline for people who just want a cheap ticket and are unlikely to purchase other ancillary items.

Looking into a few dates “Light Fare” are not always available (sold out) in peak times/school holidays.

LostInTransit

Member since 11 Sep 2015

Total posts 5

Originally Posted by planesa380

Virgin's “Light Fare” does not equal economy basic it still has a bag.

It's more a new promo fare bucket to improve yields (think happy hour tickets and other promos). It will create more favourable terms to the airline for people who just want a cheap ticket and are unlikely to purchase other ancillary items.

Looking into a few dates “Light Fare” are not always available (sold out) in peak times/school holidays.

Delta has also introduced 'Basic Economy' on its trans-Pacific routes and this includes a bag.

hakkinen5

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 Aug 2014

Total posts 207

Promo fare buckets at this price point do not "improve yield". They actually dilute yield. They do improve load factor however.

djtech

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Sep 2018

Total posts 375

Is this an official change to introduce a lower than regular economy product network wide or is this a sale event? Surprised there isn't a official press release and no reporting whatsoever on this change if it is airline wide.

brinkers

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 16 Jun 2011

Total posts 233

Originally Posted by djtech

Is this an official change to introduce a lower than regular economy product network wide or is this a sale event? Surprised there isn't a official press release and no reporting whatsoever on this change if it is airline wide.

It has been introduced on the Long Haul International services. The Velocity Points and Status Credits earn tables have been updated to reflect the change.

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