Just checking their site, it looks like IAD and SFO are filling more seats than JFK and LAX. First class is selling out on a lot of flights, but many of the upcoming JFK-LAX flights look to be about 40%-50% full.

Do you think they should add a row of first class? Pull a row out of coach to match B6's legroom? Or is this just because they're new and lack broader brand recognition?

It's off season now, so economy loads are lighter than summer. But if VX can keep the premium cabin seats full with full fare passengers, that's a good thing. Should they reconfigure their planes? It's far far too soon. They have to focus on frequency and route expansion in target markets before they rethink their cabin configs.

As far as SFO, I think it's a bit more brand recognition, since it's the home market. LAX and NYC it's a bit harder to cut through the advertising clutter. On the other hand, I was on a 6.30a flight this past Sat from LAX-SFO, and it was 80%+ in Main, and 75% in First. As word spreads, they'll do fine, I think, if they keep their pricing structure as it is. As far as reconfiguring, no, I don't think so. Premium is configured in International J, which allows the seats to have an impressive power recline. If they reconfig, those seats would have to be replaced, or the power recline would have to go away or be severely limited, and that's a big part of the draw of flying VX Premium. As it is now, I think they'll just go out with a lot of First cabins at 100% as people discover it. Maybe it would be worth it for them to pull a row in coach and put another row up front, but I'm sure they did the math to figure out what makes the most sense before configuring the planes. On the coach side, if people really want the 36" pitch, they do have that option, they just have to look - both exit rows and the first row in main have 36"+ for an extra $15. Also, because of the way the seats are built, the pitch in main actually feels a little better than what it actually measures out to be.

I'm flying JFK-SGO Friday night in first, and just noticed that it's sold-out in F.

Has anyone experienced VDBs on VX yet? It doesn't really matter too much if I leave on Friday or Saturday, really...;)

There are no VDBs on VX since they are not overbooking flights at this time.

looks like IAD-SFO is really picking up - averaging just 10 avail seats per flight for tomorrow and fri

I was on the IAD-SFO Inaugural flight and had the opportunity to talk to various VX staff re: future plans. Much could change after initial six months or so, depending on loads, customer response, etc. But they definitely have an eye on an expanded premium cabin, maybe significantly expanded. LCC model could give way to LCP ("Low Cost Premium") model, at least on some routes.

LCC model could give way to LCP ("Low Cost Premium") model, at least on some routes.

That would make sense seeing that first class looks like its doing well, and they're not following the B6, FL, WN strategy of alternate airports. Could become more like P.S., or a domestic Silverjet.

I flew SFO-JFK-SFO in F two weeks ago and was delighted with the service. Will happily pay for VX F again. My selfish concern is that it appears there's little to no availability in F on SFO-JFK flights for the Friday east, Monday west schedule that I need looking as far as six weeks out.

It also appeared that the premium economy seats were all booked in advance on the flights I took. The rest of the main cabin was light both ways.

Admittedly, this is all anecdotal but it seems VX has gotten off to a strong start with its premium offerings. If it's a true trend and customers are willing to pay for better product, why wouldn't VX make more inventory available?

On my SFO-JFK flight on Wednesday, Y was less than 50% full. The 8 F seats were all taken though!

On some of my recent flts SFO-JFK and SFO-LAX F cabin was full and Y had very strong loads. My concern is their overall yield. They seem to be filling the main cabin with a lot of cheap seats, so I'm not sure if load factor is indicative of health. To turn profitable, they'll need to balance loads and yields.

Also, non-SFO cities need to pick up as well.

IAD-SFO is really starting to fill up in both front and back, especially Fri, Sun night and Mon morning

UA is going to more than a 50% EQM bonus to retain premium pax

IAD-SFO is really starting to fill up in both front and back, especially Fri, Sun night and Mon morning

UA is going to more than a 50% EQM bonus to retain premium pax

And I say UA is foolishly only giving that EQM bonus for full fare guests. So that ends up being good news for VX!