Travelling on VA for the first time since COVID

[texter]

My client booked my trip on this occasion - so didn't get to choose carrier.

Travelling on QF is more like a security blanket - you know what you get/not get.

So any advice please on:

- good (for an airport) cafes for MEL and SYD terminals (I only knew about this trip after the status match offer just finished...)

-when does boarding start? Is it reasonable to assume I could take my suitcase onboard without priority boarding?

-any other things of note (that I should admire from the 'other side)

Thanks

 

[Saab34]

Boarding will start 20-25mins prior.
Be there 30 mins prior to departure to get an earlier line in queue. My flight yesterday started boarding 25 mins before departure as the inbound aircraft arrived very early. Don’t forget Virgin now operates at two piers at T3/4 so that could influence your cafe choice. I find the whole terminal a zoo regardless, yesterday morning particularly bad for some reason, lounge was at capacity also.

Select a seat earlier if you can. Flights are very full at the moment and you will end up in some middle seat down back otherwise

 

[AIRwin]

Select a seat earlier if you can.

Try T-50

 

[jakeseven7]

Allow more time for security especially in the T2 budget terminal in SYD, its a dogs breakfast.

The T3/4 budget terminal in MEL is much nicer - but security can be a log jam too and rarely is the priority queue open.

 

[texter]

Thanks everyone. I cld only access the itin when I finally convinced the organiser that the 6 letter code she gave me wasn't the booking ref and she said it would only work at T-48! By time I checked in the only window seat was in row 29!

Its apparently booked on a flex fare. It is easier to "fly forward" if I get to airport earlier?

 

[oz_mark]

Try T-50

Virgin document T-48

• Time of booking – we reserve specific zones that are only available for selection for members within the relevant Velocity tiers.
• 48hrs to departure – we release most of the unused seats in the preferred zones for others members and guests.
• 12hrs to departure - we release all unused seats in the preferred zones and, where we can, endeavour to provide a spare seat beside our Platinum Velocity members*.

 

[TMP]

Its apparently booked on a flex fare. It is easier to "fly forward" if I get to airport earlier?

For the fare difference, yes (subject to availability). Only SG and WP have complimentary fly ahead benefits.

 

[texter]

For the fare difference, yes (subject to availability). Only SG and WP have complimentary fly ahead benefits.

Oh yes, for some reason in my mind I always equated flex = fly forward. What are my chances with VA in asking for an earlier flight???

 

[jrfsp]

VA tends to use both front and rear doors for boarding which makes it alot less painful if seated near the back

 

[Saab34]

Oh yes, for some reason in my mind I always equated flex = fly forward. What are my chances with VA in asking for an earlier flight???

Only time that worked for me was on a Choice fare, being a Gold, and the flight slightly delayed.

I do agree though, in that Flex should offer some more flexibility considering the price tag. I get they don't want the customer interaction side of things increasing with a human at the airport, but even free changes done online only would be a plus. Jetstar Flex Bundle gives you free same day change to another flight which I have used frequently lately and has helped navigate around some delays.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Watertea/coffee is provide free everything elses costs. Almost worth paying for economy X to board early

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Thanks everyone. I cld only access the itin when I finally convinced the organiser that the 6 letter code she gave me wasn't the booking ref and she said it would only work at T-48! By time I checked in the only window seat was in row 29!

Its apparently booked on a flex fare. It is easier to "fly forward" if I get to airport earlier?

If its a toddler full flight, or child full flight, or full of young kids, they might move you to the middle/closer to the front.
One and only time with QF, I got an op up to J (at the gate at MEL T1), I didn't ask why, but looked down the back, and it was full of kids in basketball kit/gear.
Row 29 can be good, if you do get to keep it.
Close to loo, yes, but also first off if they do decide to use the stairs.
Also away from the wing.
Do let us know what you liked/not liked/differences you feel, after the flight.
Edit: you can always buy VAd the lounge access, esp on the way back to your home city, if its a day meeting, you could have a full "meal" and a shower for $65 all inclusive, worth it.
How big is the suitcase?
Might have to put it through as hold luggage, can you do a backpack instead, this is easier to go through security.
If you must do a suitcase, do a small one, due to the fact that overhead bins are always full on the Y flights, that I sometimes take, esp down the back.

 

[texter]

Thanks for the input and yes I owe you all a Trip Report.

I arrived later than planned to the airport. Not “match fit” as only realised I didn’t need to go to the counter as HLO until I walked inside the building. Got a big shock when go to the T3/4 security checkpoint and saw the snaking line at 3PM. The line moves quickly and got through within 5 minutes. My guess you can’t avoid the lines given the greater volumes of people compared to T1 QF.



I didn’t have time to enjoy the F&B inside security, hopefully when the T1 renovations have been completed QF can catch up as T4 being newer always had the advantage.



Thanks to group advice I arrived at the gate at T-30. There was already a queue of ~20. When boarding started I think both queues were processed simultaneously, can’t be sure because I didn’t have direct view so far down the line. Yep, enjoyed the tarmac view and got to my seat quickly in row 29! Still plenty of room in the overhead so didn’t have issues there.

As for the plane, the Boeing Sky Interior is certainly one generation forward compared to the standard version on QF. The seat is similar not surprisingly and perhaps sitting at the back there was no one in the middle seat. I did miss being non connected however – happy to be out of contact for work but keen to use the time to catch up with family or look up stuff in the destination city. Did log onto the entertainment app, loved being able to see the flight map and stats still – pretty sure the QF app used to have this but haven’t been able to find this post COVID..

In terms of drinks on board – as expected they got to me at 30 mins before landing. Had to swill a hot tea quickly!



For the return flight I saw the original flight will be delayed – I asked at the service desk (In contrast, I’d presume you go to the pods at QF since they have been removed) and asked if I could go on an earlier flight. They said OK but only a middle seat was available – said yes and she mentioned it had “extra leg room” in row 5. In my QF brain that meant you couldn’t have a dedicated spot for your soft bag as the middle has to fight for the underfloor space from the two business seat in the front. I only realised what it meant after going on board that I was in the “economy X” section. In terms of boarding because this flight was delayed so got to see the boarding process. For sure priority boarding was called for (which I now know includes economy X but I was towards the front of the general queue already so not really worth re lining up again). Unless the first 20 people really did all qualify it seems they just boarded the queue without sending anyone back. Once that queue was cleared they boarded the general queue and then it appeared they policed it.



Yep, the legroom is great, journey made even better when my window seatmate never arrived so got to have a window with a shadow as well!

In summary VA didn't surprise but didn't disappoint either. Other than having or wanting to earn status there isn't that much difference between VA and QF (I'll duck for cover now...)

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Row 5 on VAd is econX, yes, a bit more leg room.
You can buy that on VAd, VAd wants our $, can't complain with that.
Its still 3 across, but a bit more space from one row to the next.
While booking, you can buy econX without phoning the VA contact centre.
As with QF, you can also buy comfort seat, ie, empty seat next to you by phoning the contact centre up.
If you have status with VA, you could have used the premium security screening line, supposedly less people going through this one, so faster.
But with MEL T3 and T4 now combined, lots more people using the combined security screening zone, than before, when MEL T3 had 2 screening zones, one on the left, and one on the right.
So, when they combined T3 and T4, its all now one.
Saves them money, but more people, ie more crowded.