A Sign of Things to Come ?

[Budley]

If you want to compare International J, go fly V Australia 777 J class, and give us a fare comparison of services.

I'm afraid I can't afford to pay for poor service and no airline alliances (of any note).

But DJ down the back cheapie economy hasn't changed for the better and doesn't come close to QF economy. No food, no nothing (unless you pay through the nose). And no decent FF points either.

For economy flyers it's still an LCC.

 

[haydensydney]

And as for an ordinary Y class pax (I flew BNE-CBR a few days ago after flying QF NAN-SYD-MEL-BNE in J class) it's just total cough. .

Hmmm yes.... any Y flight will be cough immediately following NAN-SYD-MEL-BNE in J wouldn't it?

Not even close to QF Y class (what about the food?).

DJ is still a LCC as far as I am concerned.

DJ isn't LCC: haven't you seen the advertising? Or the great reviews of it's product on these forums? I think the term is "new age" airline but i'm not sure about the terminology.

In terms of food, I would much rather pay for my individual selection from the cart rather than get a ~$2 "dinner" on Qantas (usually fatty slop with hooves and cough cuts of meet) - I don't think this makes Virgin Australia LCC, it makes it pro-choice.

 

[serfty]

... great beverage selection, ... great wifi, comfy seating with plenty of choices, a secluded quiet area (the library) etc. They just need the food!

errm....

... great beverage selection, ...

Where's my G&T?

... great wifi, ...

I think you'll find the WiFi in the QP's/QJ's has been usefully fast for at least a month (they have fixed the issues).

... a secluded quiet area (the library) etc.

Is that not what this thread is about? The lounges are not having these secluded areas due an influx of newly eligible members ...

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I'm afraid I can't afford to pay for poor service and no airline alliances (of any note).

But DJ down the back cheapie economy hasn't changed for the better and doesn't come close to QF economy. No food, no nothing (unless you pay through the nose). And no decent FF points either.

For economy flyers it's still an LCC.

VA with an alliance in Europe is really stopping me. I hope that they are working something out on this issue.

I would rank VA much like AA. Pay for luggage, unless you have status, pay for food+drinks in Y (J is included in price), lounge is free if you have status.....

 

[Noob]

I'm afraid I can't afford to pay for poor service and no airline alliances (of any note).

But DJ down the back cheapie economy hasn't changed for the better and doesn't come close to QF economy. No food, no nothing (unless you pay through the nose). And no decent FF points either.

For economy flyers it's still an LCC.

Bagging a service you have never actually experienced

"I can't afford to pay for poor service" - yeah, V Australia won the Skytrax award for best service in the pacific, and the passenger choice awards best in the region, best IFE, and best food and beverage

And "no airline alliances (of any note)" - How do these sound: Singapore Airlines, Etihad, Air New Zealand, Delta Air Lines, Virgin America, Hawaiian Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. No airline alliances of any note?

Please do your research before you post :!:

However, I do agree that if Virgin wants to continue their transition, full service saver domestic economy is required.

 

[lovestotravel]

DJ isn't LCC: haven't you seen the advertising? Or the great reviews of it's product on these forums? I think the term is "new age" airline but i'm not sure about the terminology.

In terms of food, I would much rather pay for my individual selection from the cart rather than get a ~$2 "dinner" on Qantas (usually fatty slop with hooves and cough cuts of meet) - I don't think this makes Virgin Australia LCC, it makes it pro-choice.

Take of the rose coloured glasses please

Who cares about the advertising, the fact is that DJ in Y is still an "average" experience and below that of Qantas. Usually for the same or higher price than Qantas!

So food from the cart...

Okay I'd like breakfast please on Virgin... Oh wait there is no breakfast items available for purchase.... Banana bread ?? No I'd like some cereal or museli please
Lunch - The menu is OK but how many pie's can you eat
Dinner - Pie again ?

VA still have ALOT to learn if they want to really take on Qantas

Status matches and double Status credits are nice, but the product still needs more work and fast, or you will lose those customers back to Qantas..

 

[MarkD]

Status matches and double Status credits are nice, but the product still needs more work and fast, or you will lose those customers back to Qantas..

LOL EXCELLENT, then the bloody lounges wouldn't be so crowded, and full of people whinging about the lounges being crowded and dirty

Flame away, Im just being a smartarse

 

[haydensydney]

FYI: Sydney booked + Melbourne to be finalised next week

Take of the rose coloured glasses please

I'm not the only one wearing glasses it would appear

DJ in Y is still an "average" experience and below that of Qantas. Usually for the same or higher price than Qantas!

I've travelled Y on both airlines before and I still prefer DJ Y to QF Y. Personal choice rules on this occasion so lets not get drawn into that discussion.

So food from the cart...

Okay I'd like breakfast please on Virgin... Oh wait there is no breakfast items available for purchase.... Banana bread ?? No I'd like some cereal or museli please
Lunch - The menu is OK but how many pie's can you eat
Dinner - Pie again ?

Wait... so flying isn't about getting from A to B, but the 5* culinary experience? I'm sure that VA will introduce better options at some stage, but they are in transition as an airline - still, I've been able to find something to eat at all hours of the day on VA, and have never been disappointed.

VA still have ALOT to learn if they want to really take on Qantas

VA ARE taking on Qantas and doing an amazing job of it. Qantas has been a comedy of errors of late, which has worked hugely in VA's favour.

 

[Princess Fiona]

The only thing missing from this thread is a post from Jack Melon

 

[serfty]

LOL EXCELLENT, then the bloody lounges wouldn't be so crowded, and full of people whinging about the lounges being crowded and dirty

Flame away, Im just being a smartarse

You are entitled to your view.

DJ want frequent travellers to try their product; status matches are one way to do it. Maybe some short term pain - leading to long term gain is their hope.

 

[tuapekastar]

The only thing missing from this thread is a post from Jack Melon

Give it time...

 

[nlagalle]

Re: FYI: Sydney booked + Melbourne to be finalised next week

I'm not the only one wearing glasses it would appear

I've travelled Y on both airlines before and I still prefer DJ Y to QF Y. Personal choice rules on this occasion so lets not get drawn into that discussion.

VA ARE taking on Qantas and doing an amazing job of it. Qantas has been a comedy of errors of late, which has worked hugely in VA's favour.

Having travelled both recently, VA still have a way to go. I still think QF have a better product overall. VA's "hybrid mix" of LCC and full service doesn't really work yet - but i am happy to keep trying it when it suits.

also for me which is a big thing, very had to earn full SC on VA as the saver fares very rarely sell out. On QF since the fare structure change, it's very easy for me to earn full SC's on last minute bookings.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Re: FYI: Sydney booked + Melbourne to be finalised next week

VA ARE taking on Qantas and doing an amazing job of it. Qantas has been a comedy of errors of late, which has worked hugely in VA's favour.

I took a VA flight for the first time in a few years, about 6 weeks ago (SYD-MEL).

I have to admit, VA have really, really improved since l last flew with them. I PM'd Red Roo my experience because on my return, l flew QF. I gave Red Roo a break-down of my QF-VA experience.

==Breakdown==
Y Flight both ways
SYD-MEL - VA (Saver fare) 737 (Friday afternoon peak time)
MEL-SYD - QF (Red eDeal) 767 (Wednesday mid-morning)
Work paid, l had no choice.

Check in
QF wins due to NGCI. Did get to use VA's J/Plat/Gold lines, so l didn't have to wait more than a minute for check in. l also left a 'tool' in my hand luggage and X-Ray picked it up. I went back to the VA counter and they literally bent over backwards to help me. It was put on the same flight and when l arrived in MEL, was waiting for me (Now that's service). That really put a smile on my face.

Lounge
QF, but only because l had use of the J Lounge due to WP status. However, if comparing T3/T2 QC to VA Lounge, it'd probably be a VA win. VA have old computers though (for this not using personal laptops), l think that QF have all Macs now, in SYD QC (anyone) ? I was surprised at the number of 'suits' in the lounge, VA are really trying to get their foot in the door to the corp market (where the big $$$ are).

FA's on plane
Even. VA were very chirpy, happy, pleasant. But, the QF crew on my return (after the strikes), were very pleasant too. I got called by my surname by QF gate person, now that's a FIRST! CSM welcome/greeting on QF, still zero on ALL/EVERY QF flight l have taken in my life.

AVOD
Just judging from these 2 flights, VA. QF was a ageing 767 with a monitor on the ceiling. VA was free 'Live to Air', so about 10-15 channels, some sport, doco's, movies and Sky news. Screen a bit small on VA though.

Food
QF, but not by a long stretch because on my return, it was a 11am 'ish departure, so a 'refreshment', apple or biscuit, tea or coffee.

Luggage
Equal. At both ends it came out in the first lot.

So, from that 1 VA flight, l was most impressed and VA have certainly made ground in my eyes. Keep it up and who knows.....
Win-Win for customers (for once)

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: FYI: Sydney booked + Melbourne to be finalised next week

I've travelled Y on both airlines before and I still prefer DJ Y to QF Y. Personal choice rules on this occasion so lets not get drawn into that discussion.

Wait... so flying isn't about getting from A to B, but the 5* culinary experience? I'm sure that VA will introduce better options at some stage, but they are in transition as an airline - still, I've been able to find something to eat at all hours of the day on VA, and have never been disappointed.

VA ARE taking on Qantas and doing an amazing job of it. Qantas has been a comedy of errors of late, which has worked hugely in VA's favour.

All my travel in 2012 is going to DJ, and I'll be clocking up many more miles than I have given Qantas this year... So I do prefer DJ over QF, but that's because of the lounge in MEL really.. Add some more food there and I'm set and don't need to eat on the plane

You did avoid the breakfast and repetitive food options on DJ

As for the 5* experience... No Qantas doesn't know how to do that either domestically or internationally in J. But sticking to domestic, Qantas does a far better job than DJ in that area.

I wouldn't say amazing, but DJ are doing an GOOD job, they need to announce their IFE though :evil:

 

[Deleted member 29185]

For economy flyers it's still an LCC.

Y Dom?

If yes, then you're obviously a capital connect type of flyer where QF can be bothered. DJ blitzes JQ and for many destinations (my destinations), QF abandoned them but it does seem apple for apple comparisons aren't your norm.

Let's just watch as QF grovels to regain OOL since GC won the Commonwealth games.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

VA still have ALOT to learn if they want to really take on Qantas

I agree with this wholeheartedly, but do they want to fully take on QF? I would have thought stealing enough pax for them to be profitable but still manageable might have been the DJ game plan. Let's face it, do they really want to become QF MK II or simply an alternate choice for business? Be a very expensive exercise to become another QF........

the product still needs more work and fast, or you will lose those customers back to Qantas..

Reports of overcrowded lounges, packed flights and few discount fares seem to suggest it's working for them just now (exceptional circumstances admittedly) but this gets back to the Lounge offering (and hopefully in-flight offerings too). They're finding their way right now......the removal then hasty reinstatement of in-flight spirits was a dead giveaway.......DJ are a little unsure of how to achieve their dream, but impressively, they are listening to what their clients are saying. Big plus and bring on this hot food selection.

 

[medhead]

Wow what a thread. Status matched people who don't fly virgin are crowding the lounge as are those abusing ATA. Not sure how people not flying with Virgin are using the lounge. But that's just me. As for the abusing ATA, there is a whole thread over in the qantas section full of those misguided opinions. Instead of type whole posts why not just link to the post in the other thread that expresses your view?

Then there is the food on qantas. I find the slop they serve up on qantas to be a total waste of time.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Then there is the food on qantas. I find the slop they serve up on qantas to be a total waste of time.

I wouldn't go that far. Ive had worse and have never had the runs after any type/shape/form of a QF meal (Lounge or in the Air).

 

[medhead]

I wouldn't go that far. Ive had worse and have never had the runs after any type/shape/form of a QF meal (Lounge or in the Air).

I was only referring to on board food, with my gross generalisation. But I have had the runs and I suspect from qantas food.

 

[greenfish]

I was only referring to on board food, with my gross generalisation. But I have had the runs and I suspect from qantas food.

CBR-BNE QF dinners have been surprisingly good - much better than I'd expected. The DJ pie would be fine if it was consistently available on this short flight - which it isn't. I really don't like the DJ wraps for dinner.

On topic, any chance the standards-slip is somehow related to the catering change? Do the caterers organise the cleaning too? I've been surprised by how little impact the SM has made to the BNE lounge early on a Monday morning.