Virgin Australia will overhaul its airfares next month, introducing a cheaper business-class option and charging some passengers to choose their seats, as the airline continues to tinker with its customer service formula.
The airline will introduce nine new fare types on September 7, which it says will give customers more flexibility.
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Fly 'The Business' on Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia has unveiled its new International Business Class cabin, with the first of its refitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft now flying across the Pacific.
One of the major changes is the introduction of a Business Saver fare, which will include the same services as standard business fares but will be cheaper and carry fees if passengers want to change or cancel their flight.
Economy will be spread across new fare types Getaway, Elevate and Freedom, which all include complimentary food and checked baggage but have different fees for changing bookings.
Go fares, which will not include checked baggage or food, and Go Plus, which will include baggage but not other extras, will be available on short-haul international flights to destinations like New Zealand, Fiji, Bali, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Getaway, Go and Go Plus passengers will have to pay an as yet undisclosed fee to choose their seat prior to check-in, even if they are Gold or Platinum Velocity frequent flyer club members.
All Virgin passengers currently choose their seat for free.
Premium Saver fares will be made available on all international flights, offering passengers larger seats and more leg room.
Premium passengers will have the same seats and will be able to use priority check in and boarding.
Virgin Australia' global sales general manager Shirley Field said the new fare structure would "offer our guests a range of options to match their travel occasion, providing choice, value and flexibility like never before".
Virgin's move to expand its business-class options is consistent with its current strategy of attracting more professionals to the airline.
Last week the airline posted a $224.7 million full-year loss, off the back of an overhaul which included cutting capacity, refurbishing planes, improving customer service and ramping up efficiency.
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