How To Book A Neighbour-Free Seat On A Virgin Australia Flight
Bid for extra comfort with Virgin Australia Neighbour-Free Seating
Virgin Australia has launched Neighbour-Free Seating, a new way to unlock added comfort on your Economy flight. Virgin Australia guests travelling on selected flights can now submit a bid to reserve an empty seat beside them from just $30, in addition to their ticket cost.
The new service is available from 24 September 2025, initially as a trial on eight Virgin Australia-operated domestic and short-haul international routes.
Libby Minogue, Chief Marketing Officer at Virgin Australia, says the new product has been introduced in response to consumer demand for paid empty middle seats.
“Neighbour-Free Seating is a clever add-on for Economy travellers who want the certainty of extra space without the price tag…We actively listen to guest feedback, and this initiative is a direct response to what our customers have told us they want.”
Virgin adds that recent traveller surveys indicate that 35% of guests would consider paying for Neighbour-Free Seating on domestic flights of more than three hours.
How To Bid For A Virgin Australia Neighbour-Free Seat
Virgin Australia Neighbour-Free Seating is initially available between (valid in both directions):
- Melbourne - Adelaide
- Melbourne - Sydney
- Brisbane - Sydney
- Brisbane - Cairns
- Melbourne - Perth
- Sydney - Perth
- Brisbane - Samoa
- Melbourne - Bali
After making a booking, eligible Economy guests can submit a bid to reserve an empty seat next to them, via the Neighbour-Free Seating page or Virgin Australia app. On selected fights, the option to instantly purchase a Neighbour-Free seat will become available within 48 hours of departure.
Bids start as low as $30, with the bid range offered varying depending on the route. Just like bidding for Business Class, will need to enter your card details, but will only be charged if your offer is successful. Virgin Australia will email guests whose bid has been successful no later than two hours before departure.
Only bookings with one or two passengers are eligible, with guests seated in Economy X and Business Class not eligible to bid for or purchase Neighbour-Free Seating.
In the event Neighbour-Free Seating is offered but not provided due to last-minute ticket sales, Virgin will provide a full refund
