Latest news with #airlineupgrade
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Virgin Australia ruthlessly mocked over translucent 'shower curtain' used to divide economy and business class
Virgin Australia has come under fire after it replaced perspex dividers between business and economy class on its Boeing 737 planes with what passengers have described as a 'shower curtain'. The airline is investing $110million into improving the fleet, with part of the upgrades including extra rows of seats on the planes. It meant the perspex dividers that usually separate economy and business class have been replaced with a translucent curtain. The temporary measure was quickly mocked by Aussies online. 'It seriously looks like someone has ducked down to Spotlight and bought something off the specials table for 99 cents a metre,' one said. 'Why was the first thing that came to my mind was "shower curtain"?' another wrote. But Virgin Australia has defended the move, saying the dividers were temporary. 'Virgin Australia is currently rolling out new cabin dividers as part of the refurbishment of our Boeing 737 interiors,' a spokesperson said. '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.' The new type of divider is used by many airlines with narrow-body aircraft and helps for more effective use of the floor space in the economy cabin. Virgin customers asked why the airline just simply wait to do the perspex upgrade. Some speculated that the purpose of the curtain was to prevent economy passengers from using the toilet at the front of the plane for business class passengers. 'Could have waited until the perspex was finished and installed altogether next year,' one person said. Another didn't have much sympathy for those living it up in business class. 'God help the business customers if they had to share a toilet with the great unwashed,' they said.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Virgin Australia defends bizarre detail in $110 million plane upgrade
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. 🍝 Jetstar passenger request raises questions about popular menu items ✈️ Travelling mum highlights little-known feature at airports 🍳 Qantas passenger slams airline for 'embarrassing' breakfast 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. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
