Virgin Australia's Boeing 737 MAX 8 features a 2-2 business class with 38" pitch and a spacious 3-3 economy configuration. With two different aircraft versions offering up to 174 economy seats, choosing the right seat can significantly enhance your Australian domestic flight experience.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 features 8 business class seats in a 2-2 layout with excellent 38" pitch, and economy in 3-3 configuration with 30-31" pitch. Best seats are business rows 1 (1A/1C/1D/1F) and economy row 3 or row 15. Avoid the last row (31), rows 12-13 with limited window views, and row 11 with restricted recline.
Virgin Australia's business class on the 737 MAX 8 offers 8 seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration. Seats feature a generous 38-inch pitch and 21-inch width, providing comfortable lie-flat or near-flat recline depending on the specific aircraft variant. The cabin lacks a privacy door separating it from economy, but the spacious seating and dedicated amenities make it a premium experience for short-haul flights.
Economy seats are configured in a standard 3-3 layout with 30-31 inches of pitch. Virgin Australia offers two aircraft versions: V.1 with 168 economy seats and V.2 with 174 economy seats. Some versions feature Economy X seats with increased pitch of 34-38 inches for extra legroom. All seats include USB power outlets for device charging during your flight.
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
1A | Business | Front row business with direct aisle access and extra prestige |
1C | Business | Front row window seat with excellent views |
1D | Business | Front row window seat on the opposite side |
1F | Business | Front row business with direct aisle access |
Row 3 | Economy | Forward economy seating with extra legroom and proximity to amenities |
Row 15 | Economy | Mid-cabin economy with balanced amenity access and stability |
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
Row 31 | Economy | Last row with no recline and maximum noise from rear galley and lavatories |
Rows 12-13 | Economy | Over-wing fairing significantly reduces or blocks window views |
Row 11 | Economy | Limited recline capability affecting comfort on longer routes |
Virgin Australia's 737 MAX 8 is equipped with seatback in-flight entertainment (IFE) across all cabins, though power availability varies by cabin class - business class seats have individual USB-C and AC outlets, while economy relies on shared USB ports at armrests or sparse AC placement in select rows. WiFi connectivity is available on most domestic and regional flights via streaming-to-device (no seatback integration for web browsing), with typical speeds of 2 - 5 Mbps sufficient for messaging but not video streaming on typical 1 - 3 hour domestic hops. Bluetooth audio pairing works reliably with the seatback systems, though many passengers prefer wired connections for stability. Charge your devices before boarding if you're in economy, as power availability isn't guaranteed throughout the cabin.
The 737 MAX 8's overhead bins are moderately sized but fill quickly on full flights due to Virgin Australia's generous carry-on policy - bins are typically exhausted by rows 15 - 20 on peak services, making early boarding essential. Rows 1 - 10 (business class and forward economy) board early enough to secure overhead space; standard roller carry-ons fit wheels-in along the fuselage, though larger bags may need to be stowed sideways or gate-checked. On full domestic flights, economy passengers boarding in later groups should expect gate-checking, especially if traveling with both a carry-on and personal item. If overhead space is critical, request a front-cabin seat or budget for checked baggage.
Virgin Australia uses a tiered boarding system (Silver/Gold/Platinum frequent flyers board first, followed by business class, then standard economy groups), with rows 1 - 4 deplaning substantially faster due to their proximity to the forward galley and door. Both front and rear doors are used during exit on the 737 MAX 8, with the rear door typically opening after the front, so aisle seats in rows 1 - 3 offer the fastest egress for tight connections. For a tight domestic connection, book seats 1A, 1B, 1C, or 1D if available, as these deplane within the first 20 seconds; avoid rows 15+ unless you have no connection concerns. Aisle seats always exit faster than window or middle seats.
Seat selection opens 24 hours before departure for Velocity Platinum members and economy Basic passengers on Virgin Australia; Gold members unlock access 48 hours prior, and business class passengers select seats at booking. Exit rows and premium economy positions (extra legroom rows) are typically held in reserve for elite members until 72 hours before departure, then released to standard bookers if unclaimed. The best seats - exit rows and forward economy bulkhead rows - tend to become available 48 - 72 hours out as premium members make final adjustments, so checking back mid-week for a Friday flight often yields premium options at standard fares. Set a calendar reminder to refresh your booking 72 hours before departure; even modest seat upgrades (exit rows) are frequently unclaimed and available for the standard selection fee.
No, this aircraft does not have a dedicated premium economy cabin. However, Virgin Australia offers Economy X seats with increased legroom (34-38 inches) as an upgrade option within economy.
Business class seats feature 38 inches of pitch with 21 inches of width, providing excellent legroom and comfort for short to medium-haul flights within Australia.
Yes, all cabin versions include USB power outlets at seats for charging phones, tablets, and other devices during your flight.
Version 1 (V.1) has 8 business and 168 economy seats, while Version 2 (V.2) has no business class and 174 economy seats. Both feature the same comfort specifications for economy passengers.
No, the business class cabin does not feature privacy doors separating it from the economy cabin, but the forward positioning and cabin design still provide a premium experience.
