VA Economy Service changes - "Staff will be able to assist"

[Mattg]

I just got the same email. It probably means if you ask, they'll give you a complimentary bag of peanuts or something....

If that's what it means, it's probably about equivalent to the free snack you would have received anyway!

(This is what I received on a flight last week - I'm so over those crackers.)



Personally, I’m pleased we’ll at least now have the choice to buy something more substantial. The thing I remember most about flying Virgin over the past year (in both Y and J) is being hungry.

 

[jakeseven7]

If that's what it means, it's probably about equivalent to the free snack you would have received anyway!

(This is what I received on a flight last week - I'm so over those crackers.)

View attachment 243405

Personally, I’m pleased we’ll at least now have the choice to buy something more substantial. The thing I remember most about flying Virgin over the past year (in both Y and J) is being hungry.

That glass looks too full for a VA2 pour, are you sure that isn't Rexy

 

[AIRwin]

(This is what I received on a flight last week - I'm so over those crackers.)

I'll miss the crackers... Was that White White (or Just Juice)?!

 

[aaronm]

Can't wait to demand my snack flying MEL-LST this weekend, fun times.

 

[BNEFlyer]

There's a lot of people on here (and other forums) who seem absolutely ropeable that a free (very basic) snack is no longer available and that a buy on board menu is the downfall of VA. Does no one remember that VA had BoB for years in economy? This isn't a new venture for them.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

A different perhaps more customer-friendly idea is to offer everyone who bought a ticket before 25 March a $5 or $10 credit to BOB.

If that happened the change might have gone down better.

 

[dajop]

There's a lot of people on here (and other forums) who seem absolutely ropeable that a free (very basic) snack is no longer available and that a buy on board menu is the downfall of VA. Does no one remember that VA had BoB for years in economy? This isn't a new venture for them.

I agree with your point, although I minor (technical) correction, it was DJ that had BOB for years, not VA. Personally I find a good BOB menu better than a complementary micro-snack - either do complementary catering properly or if you can't just do BOB, including some non-snack items in addition to the usual nuts, dried fruit, cookies and chocolate bars...

 

[BNEFlyer]

I agree with your point, although I minor (technical) correction, it was DJ that had BOB for years, not VA. Personally I find a good BOB menu better than a complementary micro-snack - either do complementary catering properly or if you can't just do BOB, including some non-snack items in addition to the usual nuts, dried fruit, cookies and chocolate bars...

DJ and VA had BoB. And I agree, a decent BoB menu is better than a free snack and no other options.

 

[dajop]

DJ and VA had BoB. And I agree, a decent BoB menu is better than a free snack and no other options.

Yeh, VA had no free "snacks" for a while too, I forgot that.

 

[odysseus]

Agree, they should have built a simple web page where consumers could choose a refund or select 'I will self-request' on board.

I wonder also how the FA knows what fare type they have bought?

No need to offer a refund. They'll provide what you bought, which is the purpose of the email.

 

[Bagpuss]

The main issue with the BoB setup is the speed it takes for crew to service the entire cabin which causes congestion etc with the toilets.
A "good" setup would be that you could pre-order whilst at the gate or pre-flight / buy on board though the entertainment app.
A drinks trolley for tea / coffee / water
Maybe a trolley service which goes through for people without a device

 

[Must...Fly!]

I have absolutely no doubt that a pre-purchase, and/or app-based online ordering system will roll out by the end of the year.

The owners of the airline have every motivation to streamline and modernise as it will generate lots of revenue and improve their position in future years when it comes to making a profit or selling the airline.

 

[jakeseven7]

I agree with your point, although I minor (technical) correction, it was DJ that had BOB for years, not VA. Personally I find a good BOB menu better than a complementary micro-snack - either do complementary catering properly or if you can't just do BOB, including some non-snack items in addition to the usual nuts, dried fruit, cookies and chocolate bars...

Agree, and again its about expectations as well, the DJ days for most are a very distant memory - when DJ was basically JQ with a little bit more icing on top. Then they went to VA1. Then the collapse and massive downsizing.

But from a visual presentation to the public they are trying to hang onto the VA1 positioning, despite moving their focus downmarket.

If they had done a re-brand they could have reset their customers expectations of VA2 would have been easier in that regard (yes before someone lectures on cost of rebranding, we all know blah blah - its just making the point that to the consumer they LOOK the same as before - but actually VA2 is a completely different company now)

 

[magste]

There's a lot of people on here (and other forums) who seem absolutely ropeable that a free (very basic) snack is no longer available and that a buy on board menu is the downfall of VA. Does no one remember that VA had BoB for years in economy? This isn't a new venture for them.

Covid restrictions aside, for me the biggest issue, flying from Perth to the eastern states, is that you always got something more substantial to eat (and drink) on the flight, not just a bag of peanuts/chips or whatever. With the discount economy fares similar to Qantas (around $199-250 one way) Virgin's offering was better, especially when they used the A330. Now, with the combination of 737 and no food at all, if they still stay similar priced to Qantas, I'm not sure there is value flying with Virgin. They will have to price themselves closer to Jetstar, with the extra value benefit of seat selection and baggage included.

Maybe that's where we'll end up, the cheaper economy tickets from say Perth to Sydney being $199 w Jetstar, $250 w Virgin and $300 w Qantas? Then it's up to us customers to decide what services we value vs cost.

 

[jakeseven7]

Covid restrictions aside, for me the biggest issue, flying from Perth to the eastern states, is that you always got something more substantial to eat (and drink) on the flight, not just a bag of peanuts/chips or whatever. With the discount economy fares similar to Qantas (around $199-250 one way) Virgin's offering was better, especially when they used the A330. Now, with the combination of 737 and no food at all, if they still stay similar priced to Qantas, I'm not sure there is value flying with Virgin. They will have to price themselves closer to Jetstar, with the extra value benefit of seat selection and baggage included.

Maybe that's where we'll end up, the cheaper economy tickets from say Perth to Sydney being $199 w Jetstar, $250 w Virgin and $300 w Qantas? Then it's up to us customers to decide what services we value vs cost.

Trans con I would pay a premium to fly on a REX A330 over a 737/A320 offering provided by QF, VA2 or JQ

Agree, I think VA2's prices need to start coming down more to be more in line with JQ based on their offering.

I wonder if we will see VA2 charging tiered rates for seat selection / baggage etc next, in addition to charging for food? Will be interesting to see.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Still can't find any evidence of a menu in the wild. Cards held tightly, it would seem...

 

[jakeseven7]

I think I cursed us all....

Anyone else get the Community VA market research.... about changes to inclusions in fares.....

What timing.....!?!

 

[HS-TQE]

If VA starts charging for baggage (and seat selection), they may as well revert 'almost' completely to Virgin Blue v2.0, only with a Spirit Air 'Big Front Seat' style service using the existing VA J recliners instead of EuroBusiness (3x3 standard economy with extra legroom and the middle seat blocked) that was used during the CEO Godfrey era of Virgin Blue.

 

[jakeseven7]

If VA starts charging for baggage (and seat selection), they may as well revert 'almost' completely to Virgin Blue v2.0, only with a Spirit Air 'Big Front Seat' style service using the existing VA J recliners instead of EuroBusiness (3x3 standard economy with extra legroom and the middle seat blocked) that was used during the CEO Godfrey era of Virgin Blue.

Just to be clear before I’m yelled down it was just a VA2 market research survey (Virgin community) so they are just at the stage of testing the waters, clearly nothing imminent or confirmed to be unbundled and charged for yet.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Just to be clear before I’m yelled down it was just a VA2 market research survey (Virgin community) so they are just at the stage of testing the waters, clearly nothing imminent or confirmed to be unbundled and charged for yet.

For sure, but with all the recent movement it’s consistent with the overall perception that the CEO does seem to want another Jetstar.