Virgin cuts Economy X price, boosts baggage allowance
The extra legroom package just became more appealing...
By David Flynn, February 2 2026
Virgin Australia has responded to Qantas’ launch of Economy Plus by sweetening its own Economy X proposition.
For the next four weeks, from 2 February to 3 March, a cheekily-named Extra Comfort, Zero Imitation sale not only cuts the price of Economy X, but seriously undercuts Qantas Economy Plus rates.
For example, while Qantas Economy Plus starts at $30 on the Sydney-Melbourne hop and $70 on transcontinental east-west flights, Virgin Economy X now sits at $15 for Sydney-Melbourne and just $23 east-west.
Virgin says its $15 Economy X deal is available when purchasing Economy X Exit row seats between 27-180 days before departure, on either a new booking or managing an existing eligible booking.
Short-haul international routes to the likes of New Zealand and Bali see Economy X starting at $58.
Virgin’s Boeing 737s have 24-30 Economy X seats, depending on the 737 configuration, spanning the first few rows of the economy cabin (row 3, directly behind business class, affords the most legroom) plus both emergency exit rows over the wings.
“We’ve always believed Australians want choice, value and a better experience in the air,” said a spokesperson for Virgin Australia, which launched Economy X in late 2017.
“Economy X has been delivering exactly that for years so it’s no surprise others are now taking notice.”
Virgin has also increased its Economy X cabin baggage allowance to match that of business class, with the options of:
- one standard bag of 8kg
- two small bags with a combined weight of 14kg (no single bag over 8kg)
- one standard bag and one suit pack, again capped at 14kg in total and no bag over 8kg
Qantas applies the same cabin baggage allowance to Economy and Economy Plus, which essentially breaks down as one cabin bag (up to 10kg) to go in the overhead locker, and one smaller bag (up to 10kg) to go under the seat in front.
Rounding out the Virgin Australia Economy X package is:
- priority check-in and priority airport security screening (where available)
- priority boarding
- access to dedicated overhead locker space
Also read: This fast-track to SQ Gold also delivers key Velocity Gold benefits
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 39
Don’t we love competition- although I’ll still take QF over VA it serves the market although still have to pay for F&B… I don’t think QF will be impacted too much - mostly free Gold and Platinum seating anyway.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1080
VA needs to do 10kg for a bag in the overhead and 10kgs for a bag under the seat for Business and Economy X, I'd also sweeten the economy x with crackers and cheese.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 860
Clever idea UpUpAndAway, but if VA@ had any real smarts they'd accompany that complimentary cheese and crackers with one (1) complimentary glass of red or white wine, or a subsidized trade-up to a mixed spirits drink (for, say, $5.00).
07 May 2015
Total posts 76
Virgin could do something to upgrade the Economy X f&b proposition, cheese and crackers is a nice idea, and even provide a little SC uplift, but in the end we all know that Virgin Australia's owners Bain have their eyes very firmly fixed on the bottom line which means they're not likely to 'enhance' the Economy X proposition any further unless it's going make a very noticeable difference in bookings and revenue, and I'm not convinced those measures would 'move the needle' in any significant way unless they were accompanied by a price increase which would then defeat the purpose.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1080
I always liked the idea of food and drink being included in those same seats on Virgin America. Time to do some marketing VA.
30 May 2023
Total posts 5
Confusion over priority check-in/security screening benefits. VA media release clearly states priority check-in and priority screening, where available, are included. But VA web site only lists priority check-in for international flights and no priority screening at all. Is this an added benefit of Economy X or just during this promotion – or not at all? Clarification would be appreciated.
30 May 2023
Total posts 5
As a lanky senior, X marks the spot. Worth it for extra legroom alone. To really enhance vs QF+, add lounge access and in-flight snacks/alcohol. For non-elites, discounted lounge fee – say, $30 per visit – plus cheese ‘n’ crackers or toasty and wine in X would make a big difference, especially trans-continental. Along with significantly cheaper base fares, further enhanced X would win retired ex-FFs.
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