Virgin Australia unveils cabin of the future and $110 million fleet-wide aircraft upgrade

The arrival of Virgin Australia’s first fuel-efficient Boeing 737-8* aircraft, which landed on Australian soil last week, will be celebrated by more than 3,000 team employees and their families.

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The Boeing 737-8 aircraft, which just left the Boeing factory in Seattle and still has that new plane smell, represents an exciting new step in Virgin Australia’s transformation. The airline’s fleet renewal programme is well underway as it continues to work towards its net zero emissions target by 2050. Virgin Australia has ordered 33 fuel-efficient Boeing 737-8 and 737-10 aircraft, and additional fuel-efficient aircraft are expected to be delivered in the upcoming months.

With the arrival of the Boeing 737-8, Virgin Australia also unveiled its much-anticipated new Business Class and Economy cabin interior and confirmed plans to update the interior cabins on the airline’s remaining Boeing fleet, as part of an investment of about $110 million to enhance the travelling experience for passengers.

Highlight features of the new Boeing 737-8 cabin interior include:

• In-seat power for all Business Class and Economy seats.
• Larger overhead lockers, with capacity to stow up to 50 per cent more carry-on baggage (individual guest carry-on luggage limits will not increase).
• Wider Business Class seats which also feature leg rests with extendable footrests, storage compartments, tablet/device holders and water bottle holders.
• A new Economy seat design, featuring a ribbed backing to elevate comfort and ergonomics.
• A personal tablet/device holder for all Economy seats, making it easy to view Virgin Australia in-flight entertainment, movies and TV shows.

The interior refresh and product upgrade across Virgin Australia’s remaining Boeing fleet will commence later this year, with the work set to be complete in the next two years, subject to operational requirements. The upgrade includes:

• Installation of in-seat power for all Business Class and Economy seats.
• Installation of new Business Class seats, consistent with the new Boeing 737-8 aircraft.
• Installation of new or refreshed Economy seats, with seat design to be consistent with the new Boeing 737-8 aircraft.
• Introduction of in-flight Wi-Fi and complimentary in-flight entertainment (via a guest’s own personal device) to majority of remaining fleet.

A brand-new design cabin divider between Business Class and Economy will also be implemented, creating a completely new seat configuration. Greater floor space in the Economy cabin and the subsequent installation of six to twelve extra Economy seats are made possible by the new divider. On all Boeing 737-800 aircraft, one Economy X row will be swapped out for Economy seating as part of the renovation. Once the cabin revamp programme is finished, the unified in-flight product will provide additional seats for passengers and a consistent customer experience on all flights operated by Virgin Australia Boeing 737 aircraft.