Now You're Flying Virgin Australia

[ff-jr]

But I like the fresh scent of newly cut concrete. It has a lovely industrial feel to it!

Adds to the ambience.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

OT


Just spotted a Qantaslink plane with no flag. Alliance plane from ROK to BNE did have a flag.

 

[pshepvic]

Apologies, I should've said that this is actually Sydney, which is of course open.
Has anyone seen it yet?

As far as open dates for Melbourne and Brisbane, hopefully this info, isn't too far away (sorry!)
(it takes a while for that newly cut concrete smell to dissipate )

I will see it in about 55 minutes time! (Assuming 1. I get out of the office by 4pm, and 2. Can get a cab!)

Looking forward to the new premium entry as well ... I did fly SYD-MEL on Saturday, but unfortunately the premium entry isn't open on weekends (some feedback there? we'd like to see it on weekends too!)

 

[pshepvic]

(it takes a while for that newly cut concrete smell to dissipate )

Oh I don't mind the concrete smell either - whilst I work in IT it is in the Construction division of the company so it is par for the course! Some of the corporates might not like it as much though!

 

[LiamR]

Has anyone seen it yet?

I saw it Saturday Night. I liked the look of it, at night, with a light shining gives it a very nice look.

Pleanty of Virgin Flair....

 

[Misha]

I saw it on Saturday too and really like it. Am really starting to get excited about Melbourne lounge. I have flown more this month than usual so really missing lounge atm

I totally thought premium entry (which I have used a few times now) was open everyday and only the valet was closed weekends (could have sworn that was the plan)... so I walked straight into the door on Saturday. I cupped my hands looking in and am sure people outside having a smoke thought I was a moron who thought he would try premium entry and wasn't allowed in

 

[Nigelinoz]

Several members on the YSSY forum are suggesting that the new IFE system will be portable units,there is even one suggestion that they will copy Jetstar and use iPads but I really can't see them doing that.
I stress that this is rumour as rumour only from another forum and could be totally incorrect.
We will have to wait and see won't we.
Cheers
N'oz
VB/PB livery rebranding starts. - Page 55 - Sydney Airport Message Board

 

[lovestotravel]

Interesting

Lots of weight to be saved with using iPads or similar devices but it makes it like another Jetstar (or soon to be Jetstar with iPads)

I don't see a more full service airline having a portable IFE system

Wait and see... once again

 

[david-au-2000]

I'd like to see that as well, it would be very 'Virgin' to have iPads, very chic and modern and all that, but at least on the 738s although they have Pinnacle seats like Jetstar they don't have the special versions of the seats with iPad brackets.

 

[lovestotravel]

Also keeping in mind the A330 IFE solution is not announced yet either.

At the moment they are just the old Emirates aircraft and their IFE system.

I hope both the 330/737's get the same IFE system and NOT a portable one

 

[Mal]

I hesitated about pointing this out, but the existing VA livery has a representation of the Australian flag in shades of silver - see the Union Jack and Southern Cross on the fuselage (besides the obvious Southern Cross on the tail) Photos: Boeing 777-3ZG/ER Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

Yes, but at least the flying maiden is waving a coloured Australian flag.

If Virgin Australia wants to be an Australian carrier, they should carry the flag. A grey copy of it is not the flag.

Heck, throw on a Qantas style flag on the plane (Yep, they have one on every plane), colour up the maiden's flag.

But I can tell from general consensus that no-one else cares, so why should I bother pushing down this crusade path?

 

[LiamR]

I would definatly not like to see a portable IFE system such as iPads. For starters it makes gate-to-gate IFE not possible. And even after takeoff, you won't be able to use it until the crew have enough time to dish them out... IE on OOL-SYD, I could watch a 90min movie with gate-to-gate, with 57mins flying time on that route, I'd be lucky to make it half way...

Not to mention how it would feel a bit cheap.. Which is what I thought they were going away from.

The best thing I think they could do, is use the RED system, similar to VX, but, they may just not have the budget/resources to do that just yet...

I can see why they would want to use a portable IFE solution, its cheaper, lighter, maybe more reliable... I dunno.

I can understand they may not have the budget to put RED IFE in every seat, after all, it does seem quite costly...

I guess we will have to wait and see...

 

[Nigelinoz]

I would definatly not like to see a portable IFE system such as iPads. For starters it makes gate-to-gate IFE not possible. And even after takeoff, you won't be able to use it until the crew have enough time to dish them out... IE on OOL-SYD, I could watch a 90min movie with gate-to-gate, with 57mins flying time on that route, I'd be lucky to make it half way...

Not to mention how it would feel a bit cheap.. Which is what I thought they were going away from.

The best thing I think they could do, is use the RED system, similar to VX, but, they may just not have the budget/resources to do that just yet...

I can see why they would want to use a portable IFE solution, its cheaper, lighter, maybe more reliable... I dunno.

I can understand they may not have the budget to put RED IFE in every seat, after all, it does seem quite costly...

I guess we will have to wait and see...

I wouldn't want to see a portable system either but as I said it's just a rumour and we all know how unreliable they can be :!:
Cheers
N'oz

 

[lovestotravel]

Keeping in mind the new Qantas 737's coming all have seat-back IFE...

If Virgin don't do it, it's a big step behind.....

 

[LiamR]

I wouldn't want to see a portable system either but as I said it's just a rumour and we all know how unreliable they can be :!:
Cheers
N'oz

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear. This is more of a theory and a pretty big IF.

This is just a rumor... and my thoughts if the rumor is true.

Yes, QF are going to be putting IFE in the new aircraft, so they'll be a step ahead I guess... But thats only in new aircraft, right?


Liam.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear. This is more of a theory and a pretty big IF.

This is just a rumor... and my thoughts if the rumor is true.

Liam.

Thanks Liam I understood that,let's hope it's just a rumour because if true it would be a bad move in my opinion,
Cheers
N'oz

 

[medhead]

Yes, but at least the flying maiden is waving a coloured Australian flag.

If Virgin Australia wants to be an Australian carrier, they should carry the flag. A grey copy of it is not the flag.

Heck, throw on a Qantas style flag on the plane (Yep, they have one on every plane), colour up the maiden's flag.

But I can tell from general consensus that no-one else cares, so why should I bother pushing down this crusade path?

I totally forgot myself before. I do respect your opinion on this point. It is also not that I don't care, it is more that I think there are much greater issues to do with the Australian flag, as I mentioned certain types who drape the flag around themselves. I'm glad you raised this as I've looked into the issue a bit more. I did look at the Flag Act, and it says not much. Then I looked at Wikipedia, and it has a bit more information with references. Flag of Australia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It terms of desecration, it does say that there is no offence for desecration of the Australian flag. It does say that the flag is not to be placed or dropped on the ground; it should be treated with respect and dignity. For mine wearing the flag like a cape automatically breaks all of those requirements. Flag of Australia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In terms of the situation with the DJ logo, One minor point is that private persons and organisations should use the red ensign not the blue ensign. Flag of Australia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia So on a technical point the logo in colour should be red not blue. (but only technical point)

in terms of usage there is the following advice:

The Australian National Flag may be used for commercial or advertising purposes without formal permission as long as the flag is used in a dignified manner and reproduced completely and accurately; it should not be defaced by overprinting with words or illustrations, it should not be covered by other objects in displays, and all symbolic parts of the flag should be identifiable.

I'll not express my opinion but leave to everyone to decide if the logo is consistent with the above.

Off topic, some time ago JohnK asked how you would describe a new colour to someone. See here for my answer:
Flag of Australia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
sorry it is the scientist in me.

 

[concorde71]

Dont get me wrong, I like the clean simple look of the new Livery, HOWEVER, has anyone noticed the familiar style??? Photos: ATR ATR-42-300 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

So thats what the ATR is going to look like.

 

[pshepvic]

Just flew back from Sydney and was pleasantly surprised, for a number of reasons:

• Premium Lounge Entry at Sydney airport - no queue, in fact almost no-one in there. Four security gaurds to process us through. Of course with no-one there, they can do the explosives check on almost everyone! One thing - I couldn't get the photo of the silver flying lady on my iPhone to look as pretty as the photo provided by Virgin Australia!
• After landing in Melbourne saw out the window of the E190 the new A330 parked with the new livery. Looks good - the only thing is the back half of the plane looks very white, like a big blank canvas that maybe could do with something there? The red cowlings around the engine look great too.
• And finally, speaking of iPads as IFE, I managed to leave mine in the seat. Got a call from Virgin Australia within the hour to let me know. I didn't have my name on it, but they'd manage to find my details in a TripIt Calendar entry showing the flight details. Nice to see they're on the ball.

 

[pshepvic]

Will have other photos soon.
Pretty happy how the flying lady looks inside Sydney Airport Lounge.

View attachment 2163

Is this inside the regular entry? Looks better than the one in the Premium Entry!