Adelaide to Denpasar return later this year. Any recent experiences?

[LonePine]

Hi all

We are all going to Bali later this year, staying in country for a couple of weeks and also using it as a transit point to go to Bangkok for four weeks. That is, in Bali for two weeks, then to Bangkok for four weeks, back to Bali for a couple of days and then back to Adelaide. (Scored some great bargains and for three of us, ADL-BKK return for under $2600)

I am currently VA Silver with a paid lounge membership. Taking no additional flights beween now and then, I'll be Silver going over but the ADL-DPS sector will get me to Gold for the return sector (yay!).

Are there any recent experiences using VA from ADL to DPS return? I'm after a bit more insight to airport/lounge and in flight experiences. I read a few reviews on the forum from last year and I am hoping things have improved a bit since then.

thanks
Kevin

 

[KCMil]

The flights are now full Service, meaning you get a hot meal and complimentary beverages including alcohol. But it is still a 737 so single aisle with only 2 toilets for all of economy! However, a family member recently did it out of necessity and said it isn't as bad as it was. Still not the most comfortable flight for her though......

 

[yeahbut]

We went in April for two weeks, just ADL-DPS flexible-fare both ways. No IFE on our aircraft, so take a laptop or an iPad with some movies and music. Food was not bad, we took the midday flight ex ADL and got a roast beef sandwich.

On the way back on the 1:10 am ex DPS we got a full meal and some drinks, pretty good all round, nice cabin crew. Tried to get a point upgrade on the way back and was told there was (itching - stupid fingers!!!) nothing available, but when we boarded there was only one guy in business class, and a bunch of empty seats,so go figure... They could have reduced their points liability there for three people no worries for a half full aircraft.

It certainly is much easier going direct, but of course you're missing out on the extra SCs if you don't connect via MEL or SYD

 

[Pushka]

Be prepared for people to start drinking Bintan from 8am if a morning flight. Singlets. Boardies. That was our experience. Oh well, at least they were happy. I love Bali, and we will be there in late July, but flying via Singapore, so on SQ.

 

[Mak404matt]

Be prepared for people to start drinking Bintan from 8am if a morning flight. Singlets. Boardies. That was our experience. Oh well, at least they were happy. I love Bali, and we will be there in late July, but flying via Singapore, so on SQ.

Also a big Bali fan here!

I'd recommend the QR (Qatar) flight from SIN-DPS which is awesome value and fantastic service!

 

[Pushka]

Also a big Bali fan here!

I'd recommend the QR (Qatar) flight from SIN-DPS which is awesome value and fantastic service!

Ok. Would never have thought of that. We are flying into Lombok first with Silk Air. Love the Gilis and snorkelling is a particular passion of mine.

 

[bcworld]

Are there any recent experiences using VA from ADL to DPS return? I'm after a bit more insight to airport/lounge and in flight experiences. I read a few reviews on the forum from last year and I am hoping things have improved a bit since then.

I flew MEL-ADL-DPS back in March - prior to the full service rollout on DPS flights.

At first the lounge in ADL was an oasis of calm...then the entire Essendon squad and their entourage walked in, ate everything and commandeered the entire place! Same thing happened in MEL yesterday with the Hawks, although the effect is less dramatic than in the small ADL lounge...clearly it's a Saturday thing!

Lounge to international gate probably took about 5 minutes which is great.

I was led to believe the flight would be rowdy and 'full of bogans'...it really was pretty quiet though...a few matching 'Bali Trip 2013' singlets and that was about it.

I'd be more concerned about what goes on in DPS airport...baggage porter scams etc.

 

[Fifa]

We flew PER-DPS-PER in J last month.
Don't expect much from the DPS lounge - it was very ordinary, average food and only paid wifi. (There were old computers and a printer to use though)
Also forget about paying extra for express immigration and/or departure - from what we observed everyone except the passenger is a winner.

 

[LonePine]

Thanks all for the advice. We've had no dramas with any of our Virgin flights - so far.

Being an Adelaide native, I also find the Adelaide lounge quite small but it is usually quiet

I have also heard the the DPS airport is a real trial and I love this quote...

Also forget about paying extra for express immigration and/or departure - from what we observed everyone except the passenger is a winner.

 

[bcworld]

Don't expect much from the DPS lounge - it was very ordinary, average food and only paid wifi.

Yes, it was dire. Didn't even have any towels for the showers when I was there.

 

[Pushka]

They used to turn off the water at the airport at 11.30pm. Imagine that with flights departing at 12.30 and usual tummy issues.