Virgin Australia defends bizarre detail in $110 million plane upgrade

Yahoo

22-05-2025

Virgin Australia is in the throes of a massive $110 million upgrade to its Boeing 737 airliners, aimed at enhancing the guest experience. However, the airline has been forced to respond after a 'disappointing' detail was spotted on a recent flight — and passengers can expect to see it until at least next year.
Cabin reconfigurations, which have added extra rows of seating in the planes, saw the removal of perspex dividers that separate economy and business classes. Now, what's replaced it is what passengers have described as a "shower curtain" in a move that has frustrated many.
However, Virgin Australia has defended the move, assuring Aussies the dividers are temporary. "Virgin Australia is currently rolling out new cabin dividers as part of the refurbishment of our Boeing 737 interiors," a spokesperson told Yahoo News.
"The first of which includes the installation of a cross-aisle curtain between Business and Economy class to help manage guest flow. From early next year, divider panels will be mounted underneath the overhead bins on either side of the curtain, providing a more defined partition between cabins."
It's understood that this type of divider is used in many airlines with narrowbody aircraft around the world and allows for more efficient use of floor space in the Economy cabin. However, some customers have questioned why the airline didn't simply wait to do the perspex upgrade.
"It seriously looks like someone has ducked down to Spotlight and bought something off the specials table," one traveller lamented.
Another speculated that the purpose of the curtain was to prevent economy passengers from using the forward toilet, usually reserved for business class passengers.
"Could have waited until the perspect was finished and installed altogether next year," they said.
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The upgrade will see an extra six to 12 economy seats added to the planes.
Both business and economy have had new or refurbished seating implemented in the 737s, with in-seat power in both classes. Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment via passengers' own devices are also a new feature on the upgraded planes.
The airline claims that larger overhead lockers have been installed so that 50 per cent more carry-on baggage can fit, although there will be no increase in the individual passenger allowance.
It's expected the works will be completed in the next two years, subject to operational requirements.
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