Two reasons I can't take Virgin & Velocity seriously

[Mattg]

It has been a very long time since I've been on a QF Dom flight but I can't see how QF is any more full service than VA. Like any competing businesses, there are small differences. On the Golden triangle, how is QF more full service than VA? Same plane, same seat pitch, checked baggage, food and drink* (yes, a couple more bites in QF), Entertainment, lounge for FF, PB)

The difference is noticeable if you're on a meal-time flight on a BSI 737 with seatback IFE.

On Qantas you get a choice of a hot meal or salad served with complimentary beer and wine, which you can enjoy while watching (from a far greater selection) a movie on a large-ish screen.

On Virgin you might get a half-size museli bar and if you happen to have booked a flight leaving between 5-7pm then - and only then - you can get a proper free drink. If you forget to bring headphones to use the entertainment App then you can buy a pair for $5.

I agree that the seats are more or less the same (though I do find QF's seats a little more comfortable than the VA leather seats), both fares come with luggage and the service is usually pretty good on both airlines.

 

[Dannyism]

I think VA do price themselves as a Hybrid, and I say that with a straight face.

VA offer three booking classes, so for those who can book far in advance and pickup the low cost bucket it is always* cheaper than QF.

That said I travel with work mostly and book VA's middle fare, this gives me more status credits than QF at around the same price. I do acknowledge that if you want to fly a major route at a peak time and book a week out then QF and VA cost about the same. I additionally acknowledge that VA's execution of it's business strategies is generally mediocre or poor, but they do nail it sometimes, eg. The business to LAX.