Business class to or from DPS - worth it?

[theblank]

Hi, just wondering about flights to/from DPS on the 737. Its only the bigger seats for the circa 6hr flight
https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/...in-classes/business/#international-short-haul

Is it worth springing the extra for the J seats over economy? whether I get the J seat outright or upgrade. I realise that value is in the eye of the beholder, but just wondering other peoples opinions. I have plenty of points but I doesnt mean I should throw them away. If yuo dont know its about 22000 pts for upgrade or about 49000 straight up

One particular flight I am looking at is a Monday 1.00am departure from DPS, and they only serve one main meal at breakfast. So J seat may not be much of an advantage.
I am also only transit through DPS, so unlike most of the passengers I wont be smashed.
I dont know if being in Business class scores me a seat in the lounge in DPS or any other benefits at the airport

an alternative route back for me, is 35000 VFF pts on SQ in economy, from Java, to SIN and back here. I am wondering if SQ economy is almost as good as the J seat on Virgin 737

 

[clipped_wings]

Never flown SQ but I have flown Y to and from Bali on Garuda. I will always upgrade for a flight if I can (points or pay)

I use my points as fast as I accumulate them. What's the point of squirreling them away for a day that may never come? Mind you, I'm currently saving for our next US trip that will require serious discipline....

J class on a 737 will beat Y on an A380 every day as far as I'm concerned. And twice on Sundays.

 

[PDog]

We were faced with that last year, and due to the hideous VA departure times flew SQ in J. Rewards tixs were easy to come by- not sure what the state of play is for that route post SQ deval. Faaaaar more comfortable.

 

[Justchecking]

If you're thinking this seat will be better for sleeping in, that may not be the case. The recline isn't very deep, there is no footrest and if you happen to be on a lightly loaded flight you will get better rest across a row of economy. If however the flight is absolutely full then at least being upfront will get you out of the crush with slightly nicer food. Depends on load as to whether it is worth it, imo.

 

[andyhui01]

I am on this flight in 2 weeks. I have an upgrade one way and still waitlisted on the other. My logic is any J seat regardless of how cough they are beats a 6 hour flight in a 737. I personally don't put too much value in the soft product (on any airline) so having 1 or 2 meal services doesn't really matter. You will get lounge access if you are in J

The SQ flights were tempting but it adds another 6-8 hours of travel time which I didn't have this time.

SQ Y seats are better, but not better than J in Virgin.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Hi, just wondering about flights to/from DPS on the 737. Its only the bigger seats for the circa 6hr flight
https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/...in-classes/business/#international-short-haul

Is it worth springing the extra for the J seats over economy? whether I get the J seat outright or upgrade. I realise that value is in the eye of the beholder, but just wondering other peoples opinions. I have plenty of points but I doesnt mean I should throw them away. If yuo dont know its about 22000 pts for upgrade or about 49000 straight up

One particular flight I am looking at is a Monday 1.00am departure from DPS, and they only serve one main meal at breakfast. So J seat may not be much of an advantage.
I am also only transit through DPS, so unlike most of the passengers I wont be smashed.
I dont know if being in Business class scores me a seat in the lounge in DPS or any other benefits at the airport

an alternative route back for me, is 35000 VFF pts on SQ in economy, from Java, to SIN and back here. I am wondering if SQ economy is almost as good as the J seat on Virgin 737

IMHO, unless things have significantly changed since my last J flight from DPS (15 months ago), I wouldn't waste my $$ or points on a J ticket. Over was absolutely fantastic (day flight, great CSM, fantastic food, service, wine etc etc), but the return leg was a HUGE let down. The CSM was less than impressive, no sparkling, no cold wine, not even packet cheese & crackers!!! The flight is loaded in Australia for the return leg (I was told), so if they use more on the way over, there's less on the way back - it wasn't the best experience!!!

The only advantage to a J ticket is if you don't have status and wish to experience the lounges. In saying that though, the lounge wasn't really up to scratch - uninspired in so many ways. I believe there may be a new lounge on offer now, so someone else may be able to comment here.

 

[Deleted member]

I have only flown J to DPS, and only on Jet*. With the max bundle. It is the only way to get access to the lounge (not that it's any big deal). But frankly having seen what goes on in the cheap seats, this old fella wouldn't cope.

 

[dxwell]

I fly VA BNE to DPS fairly regularly and always do Y in exit row. Most of the time, there is an empty middle seat. The J seats are basic J from what I have read from others and observed in the cabin.

 

[Tazza_0712]

The 737 J seat is certainly basic, but I would opt for it over Y, especially for 10k points as an upgrade cost. It's a lengthy enough flight to warrant the upgrade for the extra room and improved catering.

The only things missing in VA 737 J (IMO) are seat-back IFE and some kind of leg rest/support.

YMMV but I would definitely go for it.

 

[Justchecking]

Keeping in mind, that a 1am departure flight is going to be serving a breakfast which is likely to be cereal or basic bangers and beans. The catering will be minimal.

 

[clipped_wings]

We flew J SYD-MEL last weekend and for the 7am flight, were offered a delicious mushroom omelette for breakfast. This was literally an hour flight, so I would hope that a 5+ hour flight would attract a similar quality offering.

 

[Justchecking]

We flew J SYD-MEL last weekend and for the 7am flight, were offered a delicious mushroom omelette for breakfast. This was literally an hour flight, so I would hope that a 5+ hour flight would attract a similar quality offering.

One would hope but any fresh meals would have to be catered out of DPS, so you may not get the same offering as you would in AUS.

 

[Viridianne]

I upgraded dad DPS-xBNE-SYD on VA. He wasn't impressed. As others have expressed, it's very basic J.

 

[theblank]

thanks everyone, all comments most helpful and relevant.

Never flown SQ but I have flown Y to and from Bali on Garuda. I will always upgrade for a flight if I can (points or pay)

I am on this flight in 2 weeks. I have an upgrade one way and still waitlisted on the other. My logic is any J seat regardless of how cough they are beats a 6 hour flight in a 737

How did you find the upgrade or J Reward seats availability, are these seats released at a later date? The late October Flights I actually want, dont have any J reward availability, even though Expertflyer shows 6 or more seats still available (out of 8)
I dont have any status, but only 1 domestic flight away from silver and plenty of time of time to get that. So my first world dilemma is
- getting the Y rewards seats on the flights I want and cough up the $65 for extra luggage
- pay for Y seats, and take a punt on the upgrade so extra luggage is free
- Fly SQ, massive sale on, Y only $725 return for 90 status credit, and actually costs less than VA + domestic.

The SQ flights were tempting but it adds another 6-8 hours of travel time which I didn't have this time.

I am not actually going to Bali, so transit in SIngapore is so much more compelling for convenience. If you have transited at DPS before you would know what I mean. I am very certain that whoever designed the new terminal assumed that nobody would ever transit there.

 

[andyhui01]

Hmm. I have a transit (different PNR to Lombok next week). I have 2 hours, hopefully that is sufficient.

Availability was was never an issue for flights to and from BNE (seats 2-3 months out and again t+2X days. My return is via Syd and haven't seen availability even though I checked everyday at 11am from t+35

syd has 3 seats sold so fingers crossed I get my upgrade.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

- pay for Y seats, and take a punt on the upgrade so extra luggage is free

You don't actually get any increased luggage allowance with upgrades.

 

[theblank]

Hmm. I have a transit (different PNR to Lombok next week). I have 2 hours, hopefully that is sufficient.

I wouldnt do that, I have been in the inbound customs queue for 2hours before when I had a 3 hour transit - panic time. But that was a saturday 2pm arrival, another time well over one hour. Last time I arrived 2pm Thursday and was at the baggage carousel less than 5 mins off the plane. I allowed for a 4 hour transit and my domestic flight was delayed for 3 hours. Not to mention the long walk and the general chaos at domestic everywhere in Indo.

Lesson learned, 1. dont arrive saturday, 2 next time I am going to buy my domestic flight from the airport offices after I land, and make bloody sure that I get the next flight out and its not delayed. and after talking with them on my last trip, The prices will be the same, and any day of the week will be fine except Fridays which get very busy. But with 5(?) airline desks in the one little room, it cant be that hard to get a ticket.

Availability was was never an issue for flights to and from BNE (seats 2-3 months out and again t+2X days.

Virtually no 1000am flights out of brisbane have J reward seats. I have checked most weeks from now until October. the afternoon flight has quite a few, but it arrives around 9pm. Seems like definitely they are holding the AM flights back for redemptions. Whether they release them later I have no idea, but seems not.

You don't actually get any increased luggage allowance with upgrades.

ok, that makes a different way of looking at it, i may well just get a Y seat and get myself to Silver before I depart.

 

[andyhui01]

I wouldnt do that, I have been in the inbound customs queue for 2hours before when I had a 3 hour transit - panic time. But that was a saturday 2pm arrival, another time well over one hour. Last time I arrived 2pm Thursday and was at the baggage carousel less than 5 mins off the plane. I allowed for a 4 hour transit and my domestic flight was delayed for 3 hours. Not to mention the long walk and the general chaos at domestic everywhere in Indo.

Thanks for the advice. I am only connecting to Lombok so worse case is I get a boat or the next flight out if I miss it. They were only $20 anyway and a 30min flight. I am HLO so might try OLCI as well.