Cop the middle seat and win a snazzy bar cart in Virgin’s new competition

Virgin Australia has raised the stakes in the Middle Seat Lottery, unveiling a unique twist on the classic aircraft bar cart as part of four ‘money-can’t buy, but middle seats can’ prizes up-for-grabs, in the globally recognised competition.

The hand-refurbished bar carts, completely bespoke and unable to be purchased, are set to have AVGeeks rushing to nab the middle seat in a scene reminiscent of Boxing Day sales.

‘Disco Fever’ bar cart

Complete with shimmery exterior and spinning mirror ball, there’s a cocktail shaker, Bluetooth speaker, and smoke machine to evoke your inner dancing queen.

‘The Day Spa’ bar cart

Decked out in stylish rattan and containing the most premium spa accessories (think plush robe, silk eye mask and squishy slippers!). The aromatherapy diffuser and luxury candles are designed to instantly refresh and relax the mind and body.

‘At Home Cinema’ bar cart

Upholstered in rich red velvet with a completely customisable cinema-style letter board, this bar cart comes complete with popcorn maker, candy bar and movie projector. Truly turning the at-home cinema experience into something wonderful.

‘The Sports Bar’ bar cart

The perfect accompaniment to an afternoon watching the game. With a removable esky and Yeti coolers to keep drinks ice cold, the bar cart comes complete with a Marshall speaker to not miss a moment of commentary, plus your very own AFL Sherrin and pop-out basketball hoop – should you feel so inspired by keen spectatorship that you’re game to play along.

The one-of-a-kind bar carts, part of a whopping $230,000 prize pool, can be won by simply sitting in a middle seat on eligible Virgin Australia domestic flights during set weeks of the competition until 23 April 2023.* Other prizes up-for-grabs throughout the competition include a Virgin Voyages Mexico and Bahamas cruise, helicopter pub crawl extravaganza in Darwin, AFL Grand Final tickets and more.

Virgin Australia Group chief marketing officer Libby Minogue, said the move reflects the airline’s sense of innovation, fun, and award-winning service, as it enters a new era of flying.

“Last month we launched the Bring on Wonderful campaign, a foundation set to elevate every part of the customer journey – taking flying from the ordinary into the wonderful,” Minogue said.

“The Middle Seat Lottery is the first major customer innovation as part of this mission, giving guests the opportunity to win big by simply sitting in the middle seat. We worked to develop a $230,000 pool of truly unique prizes and we’re extremely proud to have items as special as these bar carts on offer – it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for guests to win these wonderful prizes.

“The bar cart is synonymous with aviation, and we have never before given our guests the opportunity to own a piece of our operation. The carts have been refurbished by hand in Australia and I can guarantee you won’t have seen anything like them before – we really have playfully transformed the life of a humble bar cart beyond imagination!

“From a disco smoke machine, to a popcorn maker, aromatherapy diffuser and at home cinema, we’ve really brought out the Virgin Australia DNA in these iconic bar carts.

“We expect aviation enthusiasts from all over to try and get their hands on them, but I’m pleased say they’re under lock and key at a secret location and only available to winners of the Middle Seat Lottery.”

Since launching last month, the Middle Seat Lottery has attracted attention from all four corners of the globe, even appearing on CNN, Forbes and Saturday Night Live in the US.