Virgins Blue zone

It really depends on the aircraft, that dictates how much ‘extra’ legroom you get in the exit rows. Obviously if there is a full size door there, like a 747, you have more legroom than in business class. Typically on narrowbodies, you have the one or twe overwing exits, so they just make the row wide enough to accomodate people having to walk through there. On UA’s 757’s, that amounts to A LOT more legroom. On their A320’s, however, it’s probably only a few inches more. On their 727’s, when they were still around, they had about as much room as the 757’s did. Now, on their A319’s and 737’s, they only have the one over wing exit, and they basically have one seat missing right next to it. I really never saw the logic in this, but nevertheless, that amounts to a total of 2 seats immediately behind that missing seat that have an enormous amount of legroom. This last summer, I rode on Virgin’s 73G and 738, and I don’t recall off the top of my head, how they have the exit rows configured, but if I’m not mistaken, it’s in a similar format to UA’s A320’s and 757’s, where you have 12 seats (6 on the -700) that have a few more inches of legroom.

Don’t really like it, but I guess it’s reality. A case of the low costs taking a leaf from the charter airlines’ books?

Personally I often find that the ‘full service’ airlines are now no more expensive than the low cost airlines, especially after all the compulsory extras have been factored in, at least here in Britain. Take RyanAir’s example of charging for accepting credit and debit cards when these are the only ways in which they will accept payment.

Mike

Good point Ren. Although, if people are willing to pay for it to guarantee a slightly more comfortable flight – then I can see why a low cost airline would consider charging it.

Personally, I don’t know what all the fuss is about. I’ve never struggled for legroom on any aircraft – but I am only a wee lad standing at 5′ 4”!!

It’s a bit cheeky charging extra for these seats I think, especially as the extra leg room is there as a by product of having the emergency exit, it’s not like they designed the space exclusively as an extra leg room facility.

yeah, but this is a lowcost carrier… it compares pretty favourably with Southwest wanting to charge obese pax for an extra seat.

Having said that, 50$, even if it is Australian $, seems an awful lot for marginally more room… what is it, and extra inch or two of space in the exit rows?

I have flown on Qantas domestic and International in the over wing exit seat many times, at no extra charge!

I get emergency exit economy class seating on UA all the time, and I don’t have to pay an additional charge, either.