My virgin, virgin flights (after status match)

[quark]

Ok. That's not strictly true as I did fly virgin several times, years ago. But I have been solely a QF flyer for years now. As I have recently been status matched I thought I would try DJ out for a few months and see how I like it.

I have now had a couple of SYD-MLB flights and one trans continent (another one in a couple of days).

My overall impression is that they have done some things really well, and others need improving. I'm happy to use them for east coast flights, but am reserving judgement about the trans-con ones till I have done a few more.

Good things:

Priority boarding
Nice lounges
Really good staff
Complimentary upgrades for Plat (one of which I will be enjoying on Monday)
Associated benefits of Plat
Two flights saw me upgraded to PE (seat only)
I didn't have to sit next to anyone in Y on my trans-con
Foxtel

Not so good things:

no seat selection
No Platinum Shadow (although this hasn't affected me yet)
Flexi 'meals' - these suck. Get rid of them. If you want to offer food to flexi's just let them pick something off the menu and be done with it.
Paying for drinks (I usually go through 3 little bottles of red on QF PER-SYD and I enjoy this along with my hot free food).
Paying for food - see above
Why Luke Mangan wants his name associated with that pie is beyond me...
Overall confusion about what you are entitled to with your fare. Don't get me wrong - I really appreciated being given a better seat, and would hate any whinging on my behalf to mean it gets taken away, however I am trying to give my overall impressions here. But on QF, if I am in economy I know I will have a hot meal (usually) and some wine (usually). If I am upgraded either through points or complimentary, I know I will get both those things and a nice seat. It's all very simple. On DJ there seem to be several different options depending on fare and seating and it took me a little while to work it out (yes that may be saying more about me than DJ! )

So basically, I quite liked DJ but think they have room to improve. I have switched half my flying to them and will continue to do so until I feel like changing. It's nice to have options!

Q

 

[quark]

Oh. I forgot. The IFE (when it works) is much better on QF. Although the Foxtel is ok too. Just not as good in terms of watching movies etc.

 

[Pushka]

I have tried to make a couple of bookings on Virgin flights after our status match came through, but their offerings to Adelaide (especially around Business services) are poor. Until that improves, we dont have any option but to continue with Q.