Now You're Flying Virgin Australia

[crazydave98]

As i understand it the Sky interior is not available as a refit.

correct - not offered yet. But it will be offered down the track just as refits for the B767 and B757 have been offered (the interior of HA B767s feels very modern).

So, VA will add the new seats, business class etc but the overhead bins and other details will stay the same on the old planes. However VA have a huge number of new 737s on order so the old style ones will be a minority after a few of years.

correct again. IIRC we receive a couple more aircraft with the old interior (but will be fitted with the full J class, dividers, new Y seats etc.) before all future deliveries switch to BSI. We are also retrofitting most recent deliveries with the full monte J class, dividers, new seats etc. which I might say still looks pretty swish. But the BSI with the new product is just killer.

Oh dear, I didn't say anything about IFE....

 

[djfuzz]

Oh dear, I didn't say anything about IFE....

You tease, you...

 

[777]

Oh dear, I didn't say anything about IFE....

Any idea when you'll stop not saying anything about IFE?

Some of us are curious.

 

[david-au-2000]

IIRC we receive a couple more aircraft with the old interior (but will be fitted with the full J class, dividers, new Y seats etc.) before all future deliveries switch to BSI. We are also retrofitting most recent deliveries with the full monte J class, dividers, new seats etc. which I might say still looks pretty swish.

CrazyDave, when will the first of the new 737s with new J seats and divider enter service and when will the new 737s with BSI start to appear?

 

[Reggie]

Oh dear, I didn't say anything about IFE....

You could always use the edit function and rectify this by telling us about it.

 

[scibo10]

Oh dear, I didn't say anything about IFE....

That's ok crazydave98. We are a forgiving bunch here on AFF and will allow you the chance to remedy the situation..... Go right ahead ...... (c'mon, not even a date??..... date range??...... anything??)

 

[pshepvic]

I'm currently standing at gate 36 in SYD and there is a shiny new all white 737 parked at the gate. My fingers are crossed that it's BRAND new...

 

[pshepvic]

Woo hoo!!! It IS BRAND NEW! Seating is fabulous. Super comfortable! Row 1 legroom is slightly less than row 1 in PE with the bulkhead pushed forward on the right hand side, but I'm not complaining!

 

[Misha]

Woo hoo!!! It IS BRAND NEW! Seating is fabulous. Super comfortable! Row 1 legroom is slightly less than row 1 in PE with the bulkhead pushed forward on the right hand side, but I'm not complaining!

How about a detailed account of your flight?

Can't wait for tomorrow's A330 ride *stupid economy seats though*

 

[pshepvic]

How about a detailed account of your flight?

Can't wait for tomorrow's A330 ride *stupid economy seats though*

Apart from the awesome new aircraft and seats, not much else to report! Service, meals, everything else pretty much as usual.

Have a couple of photos I can post, but they're not great quality as just on an iPhone - will get to that when I get off this conference call...

 

[Keith009]

Unfortunately we aren't as lucky as pshepvic and are flying on a little E-jet across to ADL tomorrow. But as far as the old Virgin Blue product goes I actually prefer the E-jets to the 737s, the seats feel softer somehow.

Also I can't seem to get anything further forward than row 10 at web check in. I'm surprised there are that many other Golds flying to ADL on a Sat morning. Maybe the OH who's Red and in the same PNR is dragging both of us down the food chain? :shock::mrgreen:

SO excited about checking out the new Lounge even though the bar won't be open. Looks totally sick !

 

[Justchecking]

Mel-adl runs are mostly e-jet, but you are right in that they are the best of the old fleet anyway. it migt not be status with your seats but rather requirements for load, often pax have to be spread out if the load is light. Or maybe its just full....

 

[pshepvic]

Unfortunately we aren't as lucky as pshepvic and are flying on a little E-jet across to ADL tomorrow. But as far as the old Virgin Blue product goes I actually prefer the E-jets to the 737s, the seats feel softer somehow.

Also I can't seem to get anything further forward than row 10 at web check in. I'm surprised there are that many other Golds flying to ADL on a Sat morning. Maybe the OH who's Red and in the same PNR is dragging both of us down the food chain? :shock::mrgreen:

SO excited about checking out the new Lounge even though the bar won't be open. Looks totally sick !

From what I've found, only rows 3/4 are "blocked" for gold - everyone else seems to be able to get anything else from 5 onwards (seems to be no preferred seating for silver). On an E-jet that's then only 8 seats for Golds, so not many.

I do like the E-jets though as well, have flown them a few times with Air Canada as well - although on AC they seem to have a bit more legroom.

 

[concorde71]

Aft the A330 flight yeaterday, let me also mention the priority boarding. Ex Sydney, wandered straight onto A/c bypassing hundreds waiting. At Perth I wandered up the priority line, and the FA scanning BP said, oh, you will have to use one of those two line, pointing to the standard boarding que. Me being me, said OK, and started to wander off, when an FA must have noticed my Gold Tag on my Laptop bag. "OH so sorry, you are Velocity Gold, please come through" It wasnt a big deal as the que was short, but as I walked off,after thanking them I heard the FA telling the one scanning BP to always check BP for Velocity Gold not just Business class.
Also on the flight, both ways (Also ex BNE previous day), was approached by FA and offered complimentary newspaper, as a Velocity Gold member. They were only offered to Gold members.
Oh and finally, dont even look at the price of the pie. If you like meat pies, just buy the bugger. Its worth EVERY cent, Full chunks of steak, and dont know how they do it, but the pastry is crunchy like a pie should be, and honestly, the best pie I have ever had. Said to the lady next to me coming back from PER "Im not paying $9 for a bloody pie" (Turns out she was Luke Mangans assistant, and after they moved her into Business cabin, the FA wandered up, and said "Compliments of ****, we thought you had better try one FOC,)

 

[brissyflyer]

Oh and finally, dont even look at the price of the pie. If you like meat pies, just buy the bugger. Its worth EVERY cent, Full chunks of steak, and dont know how they do it, but the pastry is crunchy like a pie should be, and honestly, the best pie I have ever had. Said to the lady next to me coming back from PER "Im not paying $9 for a bloody pie" (Turns out she was Luke Mangans assistant, and after they moved her into Business cabin, the FA wandered up, and said "Compliments of ****, we thought you had better try one FOC,)

It pays to whinge to the right people! Those pies sound good.

 

[drewbles]

Unfortunately we aren't as lucky as pshepvic and are flying on a little E-jet across to ADL tomorrow. But as far as the old Virgin Blue product goes I actually prefer the E-jets to the 737s, the seats feel softer somehow.

Also I can't seem to get anything further forward than row 10 at web check in. I'm surprised there are that many other Golds flying to ADL on a Sat morning. Maybe the OH who's Red and in the same PNR is dragging both of us down the food chain? :shock::mrgreen:

SO excited about checking out the new Lounge even though the bar won't be open. Looks totally sick !

Have my coffee ready for me please. Will see you two in there

 

[DJ 1D]

Maybe it's just me, but I have seen a noticeable change in the service levels of all the crew, ground and air, over the past few weeks as the new products/features are rolled out. There seems to be a real sense of excitement, and with it a desire to go the extra mile. Maybe everyone's just jazzed about all the changes, but whatever the case if this is something that's come from the top down, well done!

 

[pshepvic]

Maybe it's just me, but I have seen a noticeable change in the service levels of all the crew, ground and air, over the past few weeks as the new products/features are rolled out. There seems to be a real sense of excitement, and with it a desire to go the extra mile. Maybe everyone's just jazzed about all the changes, but whatever the case if this is something that's come from the top down, well done!

I've noticed it too, although yesterday's CSM on board was a little abrupt to everyone except those in J ... maybe they're really trying to copy QF?

 

[Virgin Australia]

Maybe it's just me, but I have seen a noticeable change in the service levels of all the crew, ground and air, over the past few weeks as the new products/features are rolled out. There seems to be a real sense of excitement, and with it a desire to go the extra mile. Maybe everyone's just jazzed about all the changes, but whatever the case if this is something that's come from the top down, well done!

THAT, is what we like to hear!
Thanks so much for noticing

 

[pshepvic]

I've noticed it too, although yesterday's CSM on board was a little abrupt to everyone except those in J ... maybe they're really trying to copy QF?

I should say she wasn't rude at all, just "to the point" without the extra smile/flair that I've noticed with everyone else. It seemed like she might have been stressed about something ... possibly the new procedures on board, as they did seem unsure about a few of the new service changes.