Underwhelming experience

[mannej]

Oz, you have just proved my point. I have said that it is subjective, and that each flyer will have a different opinion, so no need for the shocked eyes
Just to further my post, how does the Virgin 330 compare at the back of the bus? Funny how that seems to get missed. Out of my times with EK, Y in the 330 is pretty underwhelming compared to the flashy new 777 product (forget 10 across) in terms of gadgets. To me it is similar to the CX regional product, which is fine. Domestically, the domestic 330s QF use are probably close to the best Domestic Y product IMO. At the end of the day, it is all subjective is it not?

 

[dfcatch]

I'm puzzled that Qantas (via RedRoo) doesn't seem to take on board the kinds of things mentioned on this post - (similarly on other issues of course).Unless I don't see responses. AFF consists of lots of people who fly - lots. Vast experience over all airlines both domestic and international. And though many of the threads can contain negative comments, if you had a business which relied on the goodwill of the public you would be seriously crazy to ignore discontented customers. Wouldn't you? Or does Alan not give a stuff? Why would you not keep an eye on the threads and Blind Freddy can see a theme relating to customer 'service' (so you would reassess crew training and try to gee em up a bit. If they can't be bothered being pleasant, let them retire. Ditto the food issue - reassess it. Guess Alan doesn';t fly down the cardboard box end of the plane. :!: Personally I would prefer a cheaper flight and bring my own salad roll.

In fairness - Red Roo did advise me that my feedback would be passed on to the Cabin Crew dept. likewise with the "food" feedback.

 

[nlagalle]

Did you have to wait 25 minutes for them to warm it up?

Yup.. and their service was over the place (it was the same the last time I flew PE a month or so ago.

QF do it well most of the time, come around with the hot towels, take your drink or and give you something to nibble on while you wait for lunch to be served.

In contrast on VA, I didn't get a drink until after my pie was delivered. So everyone in PE/J were waiting for something to eat/drink..

I think they really need to work out their serving before I can compete with QF. They do have it well organised.

 

[bossreggie]

QF have a much better selection of drinks

and the food is definitely better. Probably one of the best QF dishes I've had was the salmon fillet on Soba Noodles. I've had that going MEL-PER and also MEL-BNE

Was that the Hot Smoked Salmon on the Squid Ink Noodles??

If so?.......... WINNING dish. It was around about this time last year. Aside from the sectors you mentioned, it was on Trans Tasman in J and also HBA-SYD J. Wish they would bring that back!!


Sent from my iPad using AustFreqFly App

 

[haydensydney]

I think they really need to work out their serving before I can compete with QF.

I think it's impossible to write off the VA service when it really hasn't been rolled out fully yet. Try again next year once the whole fleet is fitted and the proper J experience can take shape. Good things take time, according to Mainland Cheese ads.

 

[nlagalle]

Was that the Hot Smoked Salmon on the Squid Ink Noodles??

If so?.......... WINNING dish. It was around about this time last year. Aside from the sectors you mentioned, it was on Trans Tasman in J and also HBA-SYD J. Wish they would bring that back!!


Sent from my iPad using AustFreqFly App

Actually it was a different dish, but that is a stunner too! I had that on a PER leg last year...

 

[nlagalle]

I think it's impossible to write off the VA service when it really hasn't been rolled out fully yet. Try again next year once the whole fleet is fitted and the proper J experience can take shape. Good things take time, according to Mainland Cheese ads.

I don't disagree here at all. I hope VA do get it right as it'll make QF work harder too. But as it stands QF still deliver a much better product.

and after having sat in the new seats, it confirms I don't don't like leather! much prefer cloth seats. The new VA Y seats are 1000% better than their old ones.

 

[Noob]

I don't disagree here at all. I hope VA do get it right as it'll make QF work harder too. But as it stands QF still deliver a much better product.

and after having sat in the new seats, it confirms I don't don't like leather! much prefer cloth seats. The new VA Y seats are 1000% better than their old ones.

Qantas are covering their cloth business class seats in leather too?

Yup.. and their service was over the place (it was the same the last time I flew PE a month or so ago.

QF do it well most of the time, come around with the hot towels, take your drink or and give you something to nibble on while you wait for lunch to be served.

In contrast on VA, I didn't get a drink until after my pie was delivered. So everyone in PE/J were waiting for something to eat/drink..

I think they really need to work out their serving before I can compete with QF. They do have it well organised.

You were flying PE, there is no J service on any route other than Perth until January the 18th - see the media release here: (News and Press Releases | Virgin Australia)

Hence a comparison between a PE product (Virgin) and a J product (Qantas) isn't fair, and is incredibly misleading to readers of the forum.

Ok name me one DJ dish that is better than what QF serve in J....

and IMO it was streets ahead of the meat pie i was given last night on DJ!

And again here, comparing economy food with J food?

Having just flown DJ in "J" I can say they still have a long way to go to even level QF in J.

And here; you did not fly VA J - You're a respected member on this forum and people take what you say seriously, please consider your posts before you make false claims.

 

[maninblack]

I think it's impossible to write off the VA service when it really hasn't been rolled out fully yet. Try again next year once the whole fleet is fitted and the proper J experience can take shape. Good things take time, according to Mainland Cheese ads.

Absolutely. It is hard to take some of the comments of comparison here seriously. QF have been running a domestic business class cabin for nearly 20 years, and of course Australian and TAA F before that. "they have it well organised" as someone said, I should hope so, but for all that the product is pretty un-inspiring. As for the 'stunning' food I am yet to experience that in circa 100 flights but I look forward to it.

I have not experienced the aforementioned 'disorganisation' on Virgin but I am sure that is possible in the transition.

For me the difference in overall quality between an airline that has been doing this for 20 years as compared to one that has been doing it for about 20 days is minimal which does not say much for the veteran or speaks volumes for the newcomer.

 

[haydensydney]

Qantas are covering their cloth business class seats in leather too?
View attachment 4871

Ewww... what a revolting shade of maroon... it's like 60's chestnut, akin to an old Kingswood car seat that you see dumped in someones front yard in Mount Druitt. All thats missing is mahogany panelling and yellow gold trim *gag*

 

[nlagalle]

Qantas are covering their cloth business class seats in leather too?

Yes they are and I personally don't like that either. I've already stated that before

And you were flying the old PE product and expecting business service? Hardly a fair comparison...

Actually i was flying in a re-fitted aircraft, so I had new J seats and no IFE, except for the digiplayer they handed out. And yes it is still called PE on the website but it doesn't mean they should do it half *ssed. All they needed to do was sort the way they serve PE customers first.

Oh and update their annouoncements. Don't read the script as there is no Live2air on the refitted planes!

 

[Noob]

Yes they are and I personally don't like that either. I've already stated that before




Actually i was flying in a re-fitted aircraft, so I had new J seats and no IFE, except for the digiplayer they handed out. And yes it is still called PE on the website but it doesn't mean they should do it half *ssed. All they needed to do was sort the way they serve PE customers first.

Oh and update their annouoncements. Don't read the script as there is no Live2air on the refitted planes!

See my edited post, re-fit or not you were flying on Premium Economy - Business service does not commence on routes other than to perth until January the 18th as per the VA media release here: (News and Press Releases | Virgin Australia)

 

[nlagalle]

See my edited post, re-fit or not you were flying on Premium Economy - Business service does not commence on routes other than to perth until January the 18th as per the VA media release here: (News and Press Releases | Virgin Australia)

oh I know what i was flying.. seems though you cannot comment on the underwhelming experience of VA. It was also mentioned to me by someone at VA that they wanted feedback of my experience, which I have provided.

I cannot imagine for a minute that they will flick a switch next year and it will be magically different. There are many things they will need to address to improve the onboard service. Even their Y service the day before was about the same as I get on QF.

And my original point was someone made reference that VA was better than QF J. I refute that as I have flown both recently.

 

[maninblack]

See my edited post, re-fit or not you were flying on Premium Economy - Business service does not commence on routes other than to perth until January the 18th as per the VA media release here: (News and Press Releases | Virgin Australia)

You are of course completely correct. We have been comparing refitted aircraft with a J cabin but PE service on Virgin to QF J. Not fair, especially as a main point of contention is the food, which will change when the Virgin J comes into operation as will a number of other things.

They have been testing some J product items though as on my last flight I got given an amenity kit when I asked for a pillow. It was an exciting moment)

 

[haydensydney]

seems though you cannot comment on the underwhelming experience of VA

C'mon nlagalle - you should know that making such comments is forbidden :mrgreen:

 

[Noob]

oh I know what i was flying.. seems though you cannot comment on the underwhelming experience of VA.

Sure I can, here are some things I didn't like about my last sector; The pie came out soggy, the bathroom was not as clean as I would like, the speed of service left much to be desired, and there was no pillow available.

My problem was how you were making unfair comparisons between a J product and a PE product.

 

[maninblack]

C'mon nlagalle - you should know that making such comments is forbidden :mrgreen:

Seems to me that critising QF is also a significant issue on here for some members. When people do they get hunted down by a small posse of QF cadres.

 

[nlagalle]

Sure I can, here are some things I didn't like about my last sector; The pie came out soggy, the bathroom was not as clean as I would like, the speed of service left much to be desired, and there was no pillow available.

My problem was how you were making unfair comparisons between a J product and a PE product.

And as I stated my comparison was that people have claimed it is better than QF J, so I am entitled to counter that claim. And even though it was PE, it was still underwhelming. The main dissapointment was the lack of service from the cabin crew that i would expect to receive. Couple that with the way the run their service you can see why it still has a long way to go. This service level was consistant on the last 3 DJ flights I did in PE.

 

[maninblack]

And as I stated my comparison was that people have claimed it is better than QF J, so I am entitled to counter that claim.

I cannot recall anyone in this thread saying that Virgin is better than QF J. Only one secondary anecdotal reference. I think people have said that it is comparable or that they prefer an individual aspect.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I cannot recall anyone in this thread saying that Virgin is better than QF J. Only one secondary anecdotal reference. I think people have said that it is comparable or that they prefer an individual aspect.

I mentioned earlier that a QF Plat One told me in his opinion a flight he did on DJ in PE was better than QF in J. He usually travels QF but had the opportunity to sample DJ late Oct for reasons we all know.