SYD-CBR direct flights in Feb for $48

[Yada Yada]

I just have one wish, that during OLCI one could access seats further forward that row 11. How about it Crazydave?

Just pay Flexi-Saver fare or higher and you can sit in the forward rows!

 

[openseat]

Just pay Flexi-Saver fare or higher and you can sit in the forward rows!

We're too el cheapo for that!!

 

[Petch]

there is a very large proportion of more garden variety business flyers who still think the same way…We obviously need to do our bit to remove barriers to trialling Virgin Blue

Indeed!

Business flyers don't want to have to pay for everything on board (the LCC model) and the DJ staff need to get away from the Southwest airlines model of treating everyone as if they were going on holiday (and have an IQ of 70).

For point 1, I think technologically Virgin Blue needs to find a way (like Jetstar International & Tiger do for basic upsells/add-ons) to allow for a variety of products/services to be pre-purchased at the time of booking, to generate a single, inclusive ticket price. And perhaps consider changing one of its fare levels to a “bundled product offer”. (They are doing something similar with The Lounge these days. Where lounge access comes bundled with Corporate Plus fares or can be pre-purchased as an add-on at the time of original ticket sale.)

I think customers getting what they really want, is a powerful message! Unfortunately I don’t think it is being delivered to the market appropriately. The Ken Doll style adverts were a real turn off, and the “keeping the air flair” message spread across outdoor advertising nationally, doesn't move me.

As for point 2, Virgin Blue staff (in my now, only slightly, but still more expanded experience) can not be categorised as treating their guests as suburbanite holidaymakers or like people with 70IQs. To make such a statement demonstrates one hasn't had a Virgin Blue customer service experience recently! In my opinion, good face2face customer service starts and ends with Eye Contact and a Smile. (And in my non statistically significant experience, the only domestic airline that meets this service standard more consistently than Virgin Blue is OzJet.)

 

[JohnK]

I sincerely hope so and thank you for giving us a go - look forward to seeing a trip report whether public or via PM.

It won't be a trip report but I have no problems posting my experience in public.

I'm curious about what you think constitutes "in-flight service"?

A complimentary cup of tea, water or soft drink, a snack for late afternoon or evening flights including complimentary beer or wine.

PS - when was the last time you travelled on Virgin Blue (not including Pacific Blue)?

This will be my maiden flight.

I will be spending time in the QF Lounge with my QF Platinum status before the flight as I am not prepared to pay $30 to sample the DJ lounge. Whatever happened to the idea that DJ may hand out to QF frequent flyers 1 complimentary entry to sample the DJ lounge?

 

[Yada Yada]

As for point 2, Virgin Blue staff (in my now, only slightly, but still more expanded experience) can not be categorised as treating their guests as suburbanite holidaymakers or like people with 70IQs. To make such a statement demonstrates one hasn't had a Virgin Blue customer service experience recently!

I hope a few others read that. I've been saying it for a while but we still see posts referring to what it was like 4 years ago.

 

[goldfishinabowl]

I hope a few others read that. I've been saying it for a while but we still see posts referring to what it was like 4 years ago.

I have to agree.

I've always found Virgin Blue's service over the last three years totally professional. I've taken maybe twenty flights (not many I know) with them and have had only a few jokes over the PA (none in the last year - and what's with business travellers not having a sense of humour?) and they certainly don't do face painting on board anymore I don't think.

The check-in and baggage collection is always seamless.

I flew Qantas on Friday night CBR-MEL and I certainly didn't appreciate the service - some crackers, dip, an apple and a sour tasting glass of red wine, plus a short version of bloody Channel Nine "news" don't really do much for me.

 

[ANstar]

I think customers getting what they really want, is a powerful message! Unfortunately I don’t think it is being delivered to the market appropriately. The Ken Doll style adverts were a real turn off, and the “keeping the air flair” message spread across outdoor advertising nationally, doesn't move me.

I agree - Especially don't like the keeping the air flar ones...

A complimentary cup of tea, water or soft drink, a snack for late afternoon or evening flights including complimentary beer or wine.

Actually - Something along the lines of what Jetblue does would be good.... Free Water/Soft Drink and then a selection of cookies/crips/fruit or something....

I reckon Alcohol should still be paid for (as it is with QF most hours of the day)

 

[ANstar]

Maybe with the Loyalty Program in place DJ may be more successful on this.

Actually - another thing that I dont like about velocity is non status earning on partners - Ie Virgin Atlantic. It would be good if you could also be rewarded for that loyalty and have it count towards status (as it does with QF's closest partners)

 

[kkutasi]

$48 is matching - not $69

The Virgin E-Jets are a very nice plane. Comfy to fly in, a lot less noise, and I believe a touch faster than the Q4 equivalent. Try one - you'll enjoy it!

i notice since QF has publicly announced its latest sale that the prices have gone up even further now

i can't see any SYD-CBR for under $85. they were all $69 just a week ago. so much for a sale!

Sadly, this doesn't seem like such a good option for an MR anymore

 

[Standby]

It won't be a trip report but I have no problems posting my experience in public.


A complimentary cup of tea, water or soft drink, a snack for late afternoon or evening flights including complimentary beer or wine.


This will be my maiden flight.

I will be spending time in the QF Lounge with my QF Platinum status before the flight as I am not prepared to pay $30 to sample the DJ lounge. Whatever happened to the idea that DJ may hand out to QF frequent flyers 1 complimentary entry to sample the DJ lounge?

Beware trying to get in the QF club lounge in CBR late in the week (esp with Parl sitting) without a valid QF boarding pass.they do restrict to travelling punters only it that full at times

 

[straitman]

I hope a few others read that. I've been saying it for a while but we still see posts referring to what it was like 4 years ago.

Yada Yada,

I recently posted on this forum some thoughts on customer service. Link attached. Customer service post #20.

This was in relation to DJ and how they have treated people, myself included in the past. I am going to travel DJ again one day soon (March) and will happily reassess my position, however I have not done so, for about 4 years (or more) because of how I've been treated.

It would be so much easier if they got it right the first time by not creating the problem or then trying to resolve it correctly. They appear to be doing that now so I'll try again.

 

[Mal]

Beware trying to get in the QF club lounge in CBR late in the week (esp with Parl sitting) without a valid QF boarding pass.they do restrict to travelling punters only it that full at times

Plus of course you have to go through security twice as the area where DJ flies from isn't accessed from the same security gate as Qantas flies from.

 

[kpc]

OLCI works well - you should receive an email reminding you to check-in 24 hours before the flight with a direct link. You'll find a lot more seats available to select than you do on most QF flights although on the lower fare, the front 9 rows may not be available to you.

Is that always the case? I did OLCI for my parents on a Syd-Adl DJ flight ($89 +$2 credit card surcharge - pretty cheap fare!) yesterday and got them 4C and 4D

On a separate note, crazydave98, any chance of a payment option so we can book tickets online, and not have to pay a credit card surcharge?:shock:

 

[JohnK]

Beware trying to get in the QF club lounge in CBR late in the week (esp with Parl sitting) without a valid QF boarding pass.they do restrict to travelling punters only it that full at times

Thanks. I only have a Sunday morning and a morning departure from CBR flying DJ so no big deal if no lounge access.

 

[Yada Yada]

Is that always the case? I did OLCI for my parents on a Syd-Adl DJ flight ($89 +$2 credit card surcharge - pretty cheap fare!) yesterday and got them 4C and 4D

No, it's almost always the case. I am mostly flying SYD-MEL at peak hours and it is usually the case that Blue Saver fares don't have access to the front 9 or 10 rows. However I have scored front seats a few times on low fares so it can happen, but I have no clue how/why.

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

I was on the first flight CBR-SYD this morning, and got 2F on a rock bottom fare, more on this flight and the PQQ & ABX inauguals in the trip report section later this week, but it was quite ironic that QF decided to cancel the 1st CBR-SYD service on the day DJ started service.

Cheers
DJ737

 

[Yada Yada]

Hi there

I was on the first flight CBR-SYD this morning, and got 2F on a rock bottom fare, more on this flight and the PQQ & ABX inauguals in the trip report section later this week, but it was quite ironic that QF decided to cancel the 1st CBR-SYD service on the day DJ started service.

Cheers
DJ737

Great - looking forward to your TR!

 

[crazydave98]

I was on the first flight CBR-SYD this morning, and got 2F on a rock bottom fare

You want rock bottom? Try one cent to Port Macquarie.
cheers
CrazyDave98

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

A press release was handed out on the PQQ flight regarding the 1c fares, OK if you live in SYD or PQQ, anyway i will still be flying tomorrow evening on the way back to MEL, so i will probably miss out.

BTW The QF service to SYD couldn't land at PQQ and was heard carrying out at missed approach due weather at PQQ, leaving the QF pax sitting in the terminal while the DJ flight came and went in the rain.


Cheers
DJ737

 

[kpc]

On a separate note, crazydave98, any chance of a payment option so we can book tickets online, and not have to pay a credit card surcharge?:shock:

crazydave98....?? or you prefer to maintain the status quo as it helps to maximise....