First impressions of the new Perth VA Terminal

[scottz95]

Great report, I am wondering if VA asked for feedback after the "trial"?

Significant system design failure if guests using online check-in can't go straight to bag drop when they get to the terminal. That's a 101 process someone-gets-the-sack flaw IMO.

Failure to focus on priority economy boarding for status passengers on A330 departures is poor form too.

Hope they manage to fix these issues before the terminal is operational, although I doubt it - as the flaws would seem to be built into the design of the infrastructure/equipment.

Hi DK,

I think it was Perth Airport who were collecting the feedback as VA has their own survey tool they use. In saying that, I did let rip over the tacky boarding procedures for priority passengers. I agree, I prefer to check in online as well but the bag drop system only prints a baggage receipt but not the tag which is an inherent design flaw. Hopwfully they get this done but I think Perth will wear it but future rollouts identified by JB for Sydney and Melbourne will hopefully resolve this.

 

[bubblyguy]

Everyone will want to be aware that the self service checkin will not assist you after -45. So if you arrive for check in between -30 and -45 you will need to be assisted in the full service checkin area or by one of the staff at their stations at the kiosks.

At the trial there was no area for flight closing (doubt there will be come launch day) which made things interesting for people that arrived between -45 and -30 like myself.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Will FIFO pax eg Roy Hill employees who I understand now use VA to fly PER/PHE that have a separate VA pnr PER/BNE (self funded) be able to through check PHE/BNE or is the separate pnr thing still a no go with VA?

if your PER East Coast flight is on QF does the shuttle bus have room for your checked baggage to go from VA to QF terminals?

Also do VA allow you to take your coffee onboard like QF do (as long as it has a lid) or is it like JQ & TT ie not allowed?

 

[scottz95]

Will FIFO pax eg Roy Hill employees who I understand now use VA to fly PER/PHE that have a separate VA pnr PER/BNE (self funded) be able to through check PHE/BNE or is the separate pnr thing still a no go with VA?

if your PER East Coast flight is on QF does the shuttle bus have room for your checked baggage to go from VA to QF terminals?

Also do VA allow you to take your coffee onboard like QF do (as long as it has a lid) or is it like JQ & TT ie not allowed?

Hi Oz,

If you have a seperate PNR you will usually need to recheck-in. However I know a couple of people whom have a similar situation and its been up to the person on check-in. As always, your mileage may vary.

If you are transferring from QF at T3 to T1, the shuttles they use, while a touch tacky looking do offer a great amount of checked luggage space which is awesome.

Unfortunately, coffee is still a no no on VA, people get stripped their cups normally and at every VA Gate I've been through unfortunately (which upsets me for those 6am flights)

 

[QF WP]

I should add my first impressions of the VA Terminal as I went through there late last month - now to find the photos on my iPhone (some different ones to the OP).

 

[QF WP]

As I arrived from MEL at 11:15 WST, I didn't take any photos as I was more interested in getting to the Hilton. I realised as soon as I stepped into the concourse that we had been allocated the furthest Gate, so the walk was long (but good to stretch out).

On my departure, I had dropped a car at Hertz @ 4:15pm and took this photo on the walk to the Terminal



Upon entering all I could see was kiosks and was a bit confused until I saw the Priority check-in area tucked around the LHS (at the back of the escalator in Post 1):



I was a bit confused as to which side of the "low partition wall" to go - there are no signs or anything written. As the two CSA's were busy, I was attended to by the Meet-And-Greet person (standing at the lecturn against the escalator). He was able to print out my BP but I still needed to line up as I had a bag to check.

Overall I was impressed and thought the Security and Lounge were definitely a step up.