Trans-Tasman and International Short Haul update - from 28th October 2018

[Pleb Status]

I expect similar to what they serve on trascons to/from Perth.

Beef, rice and green beans and a chocolate mousse on PER-BNE....

 

[AviationNZ]

Beef, rice and green beans and a chocolate mousse on PER-BNE....
View attachment 133402

If this is what they serve, good luck to them. No way I'd consider that being even close to QF or Air NZ "Works" product. I'm not holding my breath for VA.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'm not closely following this thread, but that meal looks terrible, however, when I buy the cheapest fare to POM with VA, I get absolutely nothing … not even the pathetic bite they serve domestically. If I book the cheapest fare on PX to POM (which is usually considerably cheaper than VA), I get this (which actually tasted remarkably good) …



Compare that to the offering above. I also get a 767 rather than a 737 and as a PX nobody, I tend to get looked after pretty well on PX.

If VA are going to continually serve up a sub par offering compared to the opposition, they may find not everyone is gullible enough to fly them.
To POM, my airline of choice is PX.

 

[flying_duck]

I hope I'm not reading this wrong... I am disappointed they didn't think to review their short haul international food offerings (with the exception of NZ of course). Reward seat on the way to VLI was served a "burrito" which tasted like some dirt mixed with falafel, return was a cough inducing dry feta muffin thing. For a 3 hour flight (with 30 min delay) it really wasn't sufficient. Then when requesting other food from the menu which I was reluctant to pay for, was told they'd sold out of my first 3 options.

 

[johnnyfive]

Has anyone heard what the lounge situation will be like when traveling from NZ after Oct. 28th?

Cheers.

 

[serfty]

Has anyone heard what the lounge situation will be like when traveling from NZ after Oct. 28th?
...

I suspect this information will be available sometime during the week beginning Oct 22nd ...

 

[Saab34]

There are not really many options.

AKL would have to be Strata, CHC/ZQN would be Manaia, and the rest of them well probably nothing. God only knows if they can’t get a deal. Would be more ideal if they built their own flagship AKL lounge.

Unless they want to build their own but they clearly have put a block on capex spending currently.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I suspect this information will be available sometime during the week beginning Oct 22nd ...

Could they/would they/they could, (you can read it many ways), leave it that late?

 

[CPMaverick]

They can leave it until Oct 27th and it wouldn't be too late.

We've seen VA go without lounges and without catering at times... I wouldn't be shocked if they have no solution for awhile either.

 

[Must...Fly!]

They can leave it until Oct 27th and it wouldn't be too late.

We've seen VA go without lounges and without catering at times... I wouldn't be shocked if they have no solution for awhile either.

Neither would I, but it wouldn't be advised given how hot trans-Tasman is going to be for competition.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

We've also seen VA develop unusual ad-hoc collections so I'd be guessing it is already stitched together, albeit perhaps, odd!

 

[Scarlett]

Has anyone heard what the lounge situation will be like when traveling from NZ after Oct. 28th?

Cheers.

Well...

On Weekends, VA Golds will be using the Strata Lounge, whilst VA Platinum will use the EY Lounge.
On Mondays, both status levels will use the Unobtanium Lounge.
On Tuesdays during leap years, everyone will receive an NZD28.75 voucher to spend at aiport F&B facilities.
On Wed & Thurs when the moon is in Saturn and Capricorn is rising, Platinum FF will use the Air NZ lounge, but only after asking nicely, and Gold FF will be able to access the taxi rank drivers canteen.
And finally on Fridays VA will be establishing a pop-up lounge on the tarmac beside Gate 1 at AKL/WLG/CHC/DUD featuring a selection of live music, the best of NZ Marlborough Sauv Blancs that DON'T taste like broccoli, and a petting zoo.

So, you get the idea...
Meanwhile, FF for all other airlines will enjoy a mostly consistent Alliance-based lounge product.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Heh heh, EY lounge in AKL, don't think there is one, is there?

 

[Silvia]

No EY lounge in AKL and now with the potential that some EY lounges will be managed by No 1 lounges, it will be interesting to see what happens to VAs lounge arrangements.

 

[Saab34]

Considering this summer they will have over a dozen flights daily from AKL to Oz and Pacific, they really need to think long term and open their own lounge.

 

[Must...Fly!]

No EY lounge in AKL and now with the potential that some EY lounges will be managed by No 1 lounges, it will be interesting to see what happens to VAs lounge arrangements.

Yes, though my money would still be on a co-branded VA lounge in Sydney and Melbourne. Surely it makes more sense.

 

[indigo1]

Flew the new TT service the other day. Meal service was pretty slow, but imagine its just teething issues. Food quality very good and portions great. Only one free beverage offered, the beer was Carlton Dry.

 

[henrus]

Flew the new TT service the other day. Meal service was pretty slow, but imagine its just teething issues. Food quality very good and portions great. Only one free beverage offered, the beer was Carlton Dry.

That looks worse than the old Trans Tasman meals (or at least the ones I've had in the past year). Was always one alcoholic drink but refills of soft drinks were included. Beer used to be Corona.

How was the free wifi?

In the past, I'd purchased the full fight pass (on the trans tasman flights) and the speed was slow ~1mbps. I couldn't imagine offering the whole plan 15 minutes free has done good things to the speed.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

What was under the ham on the main dish (plate)?
I am assuming its ham.
More meat?
Or was there a slice of bread?
Rice?

 

[AviationNZ]

Whist that food doesn't look that appealing to me, I have heard from a few people that it actually tastes OK. The one-drink policy seems like penny-pinching for me, especially when they've been spruiking that they're now "all-inclusive". So far nothing to entice me from NZ/QF.