Sneak peak: Virgin Blue's new 'luxury leather' economy seat

Virgin Blue is gearing up to reveal its new domestic economy class seat, to feature on the airline's new Airbus A330s when they begin daily service between Sydney and Perth on May 26.

A teaser on the Virgin Blue website contains a close-up photo of the seats and tells us they'll be covered in 'luxury leather'.

We can also see big bolster-style headrests covered in a strip of red or purple fabric, which of course takes its cues from the colour scheme of the new uniform for Virgin Blue crew.

It's also the best hint yet that these same colours will be repeated in the new livery and logo which will accompany Virgin Blue's new 'non-Blue' brand.

The site advises that the seats will be 'over 18 inches' wide and with 'over 30 inch' pitch. Virgin Blue has previously said the economy seats would have 'up to 32 inch seat pitch', so there's a bit of wiggle-room here depending on exactly where in the A330's economy cabin you're sitting.

(We'll soon bring you a report on the best and worst economy and business class seats for Virgin Blue's new Airbus A330 in our Best Seats series.)

The seats will also be fitted with seat-back video screens and of course passengers will be able to buy meals from the Luke Mangan menu.

David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.