As if flying wasn’t complicated enough already, Virgin Atlantic are creating 3 new Economy fares for customers to get their heads around.
These new fares are to be known as Classic, Light & Delight.
Classic Fares – As the name implies, Classic fares are pretty much what Virgin Atlantic have offered up until now. The inflight product (seats, entertainment, meals etc) remains exactly the same as now, as does the checked-in baggage allowance of 23kgs per person. In fact, the only change – and it’s an improvement on the current situation – is that customers can select their seats, for free, at any time after booking.
Light Fares – Customers travelling on Light Fares, the very cheapest that the airline offer, will benefit from exactly the same inflight product as those booked on Classic Fares, ie same seats & free meals. Where they will differ is (a) customers will only be able to take hand-luggage with them, currently limited to 10kgs per person, (b) seats will only be assigned at check-in, (c) tickets must be paid for in full at the time of booking and are 100% non-changeable / non-refundable and (d) customers must travel out and back on the same fare, ie it will not be possible to combine Light economy fares outbound with return Classic economy, Premium Economy or Upper Class fares.
Delight Fares – Customers travelling on a Delight economy fare will benefit from an additional 3 inches of legroom (34 inches compared to the normal 31), dedicated storage and priority check-in / boarding. Other than that, they are identical to the service provided under Classic Economy fares.
With these new fares, Virgin Atlantic join a select band of international airlines to offer 4 distinct cabins on its flights: Economy Classic, Economy Delight, Premium Economy & Upper Class.
Virgin Atlantic currently fly direct between London and Havana, Cuba 2 or 3 times per week.
What the new fares offer:
| Features | Economy Light |
Economy Classic |
Economy Delight |
| Seat type | Standard | Standard | Extra legroom |
| Seat pitch | 31″ | 31″ | 34″ |
| Free seat selection at any time | Assigned at check in |
Yes | Yes |
| Meals and drinks | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Inflight entertainment | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Checked luggage | No | 1 x 23kg | 1 x 23kg |
| Hand luggage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated storage | No | No | Yes |
| Priority check in and boarding | No | No | Yes |
| Blanket pillow and headphones | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| In seat USB power | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | At a charge | At a charge | At a charge |
| Changes and cancellations | No refunds or changes |
Refer to fare rules | Refer to fare rules |
| Service combinations | Must be same service both ways |
Combine with other services / cabins |
Combine with other services / cabins |
| Miles earned | 25% | 50-150% | 150% |
| Tier points | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Upgrade with miles | No | Yes | Yes |
| Upgrade with money | No | Yes | Yes |
| Seat width | Up to 17″ | Up to 17″ | Up to 17″ |
| Seat recline | 5-6″ | 5-6″ | 5-6″ |
| Headphones | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Media screen size | Up to 9″ | Up to 9″ | Up to 9″ |
Travel Beyond The Ordinary
