Some limits to the flexibility of DJ/VA

[simongr]

Interesting my first stumbling block with DJ/VA today. I was scheduled to fly SYD-PER-SYD flying J (332) then PE (73W) using the complimentary upgrades. I have now had to switch to SYD-MEL-PER-SYD and can only get a 73W for MEL-PER-SYD (based on my timing requirements) I will still fly QF SYD-MEL as personally don't rate the SYD DJ lounge over QF and thus happy to credit to QF still.

If I was flying this route (MEL-PER) a lot I dont think that DJ would be a great option due to the lack of decent J on a longer flight. As it is I am wondering about the merits of two longish flights in PE on DJ over QF in whY at the front row of whY...

 

[777]

I thought all PER-SYD/MEL/BNE flights had the full J Product now?

 

[simongr]

I am not sure - when I did the upgrade I was told it was PE on the way back and only J on the way up.

Happy to be proved wrong.

S

 

[markis10]

Yes all PER flights from east cost have full J, but unlike QF, DJ display the lowest class when booking, so a connection to PER or from PER will often indicate PE at PE pricing despite a segment being J . In this case though it should say business!

 

[simongr]

Just done my rebookings and was clearly told this was a PE seat and it even shows as PE on the seat selection.

 

[markis10]

Just done my rebookings and was clearly told this was a PE seat and it even shows as PE on the seat selection.

There is no difference between PE and J in terms of seat selection, older aircraft show the blocked seats and if there is one running it should still be J service etc!

 

[DSFlyer]

There is no difference between PE and J in terms of seat selection, older aircraft show the blocked seats and if there is one running it should still be J service etc!

I flew Perth - Melbourne last Thursday and was full Business Class Service not PE.

 

[simongr]

Is the seat pitch the same as the Business Class though on an exPE seat?

73W Business class on the DJ/VA site is 38in
PE is 34in on the DJ/VA site

S

 

[737NG]

Simon, the retrofitted 737s have exactly the same seat pitch as the newly delivered BSI aircraft. (38" in Business)

 

[simongr]

Thanks good to know

 

[Justchecking]

I think there is some confusion over this, this is my understanding based on a credible source. Since 28 sept if you are flying an east-west coast sector (syd, mel, bne to per or vice versa) you will get a proper business class seat and service regardless of aircraft type. The only aircraft now scheduled to do those sectors are A330, 737 BSI or 737 refitted, all of which will have the new DJ J class seat. There are no PE fares sold on these sectors and barring some kind of unavoidable aircraft substitution a PE fitted aircraft should not be flying this sector.

If however you are doing say PER-MEL via SYD, you may get a PE fitted aircraft between MEL & Syd and PE service as J class is not yet sold on these sectors. This is my understanding anyway.

I just confirmed this with a dummy booking on the DJ site for a multi city routing east to west coast. When you select the flight it tells you that the sector between MEL-SYD will be in PE not Business. When you continue on to the seat selection you can see that the 737s doing cross continent have the new seats while the ones doing the east coast sector are PE fitted.

With regards to the OP, I'm not really clear on exactly what he is trying to book as any MEL-Per pairing through syd puts you on the a330 transcon. There is no pairing that is all 737 transiting in syd.

 

[simongr]

My reroute is not MEL-SYD-PER it is MEL-PER. It was SYD-PER-SYD but now I have to be in Mel and will fly direct from MEL to PER. I have a separate booking SYD-MEL.

 

[Justchecking]

My reroute is not MEL-SYD-PER it is MEL-PER. It was SYD-PER-SYD but now I have to be in Mel and will fly direct from MEL to PER. I have a separate booking SYD-MEL.

In which case you are guaranteed a J seat & service Mel-per on any aircraft that flys it, which in your case will either be a BSI or refit. Both of which have only 2 seats abreast, 38" pitch and look like this....

 

[Mogul]

My reroute is not MEL-SYD-PER it is MEL-PER. It was SYD-PER-SYD but now I have to be in Mel and will fly direct from MEL to PER. I have a separate booking SYD-MEL.

You haven't explained the limits of flexibility with VA, only that you wanted to now transit through Melbourne.

 

[simongr]

When I first posted this you could see that I was told when I first booked that I would be in J SYD-PER and now flying ex MEL I could only fly in PE. This has been proved incorrect.

Also I can only fly on a 73W and not a 332.

 

[pauly7]

When I first posted this you could see that I was told when I first booked that I would be in J SYD-PER and now flying ex MEL I could only fly in PE. This has been proved incorrect.

Also I can only fly on a 73W and not a 332.

Personally I'd rather give the new 737 a go rather (for interest sake) than the recycled Emirates product with loopy loop IFE...!

I'm pretty sure I read VA have temp digiplayers like JQ until they sort out the IFE gap.

Looking fwd to hearing your thoughts

 

[pshepvic]

There is no difference between PE and J in terms of seat selection, older aircraft show the blocked seats and if there is one running it should still be J service etc!

This changed a few weeks back - if it is a BSI or refitted aircraft you can tell if it has the new J seating or still PE at seat selection:

- PE shows the middle seat blocked as "N/A" and no bulkhead on the left.
- J does not have a middle seat and there is a bulkhead shown on the left.

This definitely applies to old aircraft with new seating - have had 2 in the last 2 weeks, and both showed the new seat map. Of course it doesn't work when they have a last minute aircraft change!

Additionally, the exits are a row forward (I think?) on the refits and BSI, although if you're not flying Y then you may not see this.

Of course the service you receive is determined by the ticket purchased, not the seat map, so there is still only PE service everywhere except for MEL/SYD-PER direct flights.


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[markis10]

Of course the service you receive is determined by the ticket purchased, not the seat map, so there is still only PE service everywhere except for MEL/SYD-PER direct flights.

The service received is not always determined by the ticket purchased, its very easy to get J on a PE ticket

 

[pshepvic]

The service received is not always determined by the ticket purchased, its very easy to get J on a PE ticket

Ah yes, sorry I meant that a J ticket would mean J service ... or one would hope!