A New Way to Travel: The Rise of Neighbour-Free Seating
Having a free seat beside you on a flight feels like winning the jackpot, but would you pay for the luxury? Airlines around the world are experimenting with new ways to offer passengers more space and comfort. Virgin Australia has begun offering a ‘neighbour-free seating’ option on some domestic and short-haul routes. This unique service allows travelers to bid for an empty seat next to them, providing a more private and comfortable experience.
How Virgin Australia’s Bidding System Works
Virgin Australia will allow you to bid for neighbour-free seats. Passengers who have booked an economy ticket on certain Virgin Australia domestic and short-haul international flights can bid to keep the seat beside them empty. After paying their airfare, customers can submit their offer on the Virgin Australia app. Bids start at AU$30 (€17). Those who are successful are notified no later than two hours before the flight’s scheduled departure time.
There is a catch, however. A free neighbouring seat is not guaranteed, as all also remain available to purchase with an economy ticket during the bidding window. But don’t worry, your bid will be refunded if this happens.
Customers are only eligible to enter the auction if they have a maximum of two passengers on their booking, and can only bid on one seat. A successful bid also only grants you the seating space, and not the extra baggage allowance. Passengers in Economy X and business class are not eligible for the scheme either.
Why Virgin Australia Introduced the Service
Virgin Australia introduced the option off the back of a 2023 consumer survey that found 42 per cent of its customers would consider paying a fee to have the middle seat empty on international flights. More than a third of respondents also said they would do the same on a domestic flight lasting longer than three hours.
The scheme is currently available on selected routes, including Melbourne to Adelaide, Brisbane to Sydney and Sydney to Perth, and will later be rolled out more widely.
European Airlines Offer Similar Options
Some European carriers offer similar schemes. Air France’s ‘Empty Seat – My Extra Space’ option allows passengers to privatise up to three adjacent seats. This option is offered to customers at check-in in real time and is subject to availability. Rates depend on the flight destination and the number of seats passengers choose to keep free.
Lufthansa offers a ‘Free Neighbour Seat’ scheme, with which it is possible to book the adjacent seat on continental and intercontinental routes. Passengers need to book by calling the airline’s Service Centre. Lufthansa also advertises a ‘Sleepers Row’ option, which gives passengers a full row of three or four seats in Economy Class on long-haul flights.
If you book this, you are also given a Sleeper’s Row set on board, which includes a thin mattress plus a Business Class-quality blanket and pillow. On long-haul flights with a duration of approximately eleven hours or more, customers can book a Sleeper’s Row directly at check-in or shortly before departure at the gate, subject to availability. There is an extra charge of between €159 and €229 per leg. Advance reservation is not possible.
Other Airlines and Their Unique Offers
Other airlines have also introduced innovative ways to give passengers more space. Some allow passengers to book out whole rows, while others offer additional amenities for those willing to pay a premium. These options reflect a growing trend in the aviation industry to cater to the evolving needs of travelers.
As more airlines explore these possibilities, the future of flying may look very different from what it is today. Whether it’s a quiet seat beside you or a full row of space, the goal remains the same: to make air travel more comfortable and enjoyable for everyone.
