VA to HKG from Jul 5 2017, ex MEL

[serfty]

Are trying to get to the EY lounge before the EY flight leaves? If so, I was there after the EY flight left and there were 3 hot food choices, couple of snacks and the full bar.

Thanks ... do you know when check in opened?

 

[andyhui01]

Thanks ... do you know when check in opened?

No. I got there at 930 and all counters were open, about 20-30 at the normal queue and none at priority.

 

[liamsal]

Flew MEL - HKG J today and probably the best cabin crew I've had on VA. CSM came and greeted WP's in J and thanked us for our support. Was chatting to several of the FA's in between the service and they were all DTE and super friendly. I mean most times they are but they actually stopped what they were doing and had a break while we were chatting which I thought was nice. One of the FA's came over at the end of the flight and gave me a bottle of wine and some chocolates (not really sure why but I'm certainly not complaining), plus gave me heaps of advice on where the go and what to do in HKG. Will definitely be sending positive feedback for their efforts.

 

[liamsal]

Food from my recent Mel - Hkg flight in case anyone's interested:

Entre ^ (it was a beetroot/goats cheese salad, delicious)

Main ^ (lamb shank with gnocchi and olives, also quite tasty)

Didn't get a photo of desert but it was ice cream and churro with chocolate sauce (usual cheese plate also offered)

Dinner (second service) ^ (pork bun, rice, muffin, some Asian sweets and fruit salad)

 

[clipped_wings]

I've just spent the day reading through this whole thread. And I must say, I've got so excited all over again! So much anticipation and positive feedback. It's almost as fun as the first 777 that took off with "The Business" and I've just devoured every word and every photo. Kind thanks to everyone who offered their feedback.

I do have a question specifically to people who booked J:

Did anyone have difficulties viewing the seat selection page during the online booking process? I have been trying unsuccessfully for the past 2 weeks to view the J cabin loads for any flights. Tried everything to resolve this, but obviously - people are flying J, so there must be an issue at my end.
I can view seats in a dummy booking for any other VA flight, any day and any month, any cabin class, except the Hong Kong routes.

Would appreciate if someone could let me know what the load in J is like on Monday April 16, 2018 (VA87) and return April 18 (VA86)

Thanks

 

[Isochronous]

What's the HK airlines ambassador like?

 

[andyhui01]

Of my 3 flights so far, 2 have been good and they seem to work well with the crew.

Just don't expect VA friendliness from them, more like CX crew.

Did you want to know anything specifically?

 

[serfty]

...

Did anyone have difficulties viewing the seat selection page during the online booking process? ...

As posted in your other thread, yes.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-selection-for-syd-hkg-84637.html#post1685415

Someone will look up a seat map for you if you post your dates here:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....lity-allocation-configuration-help-25680.html

 

[austgap]

Flew VA89 on Thursday. Very much an A330 crew, (stupidly in hindsight) elected for dinner. 3.5 hours after take off I got my cheese plate removed... every dish was stone cold. Don't get me wrong they were really engaging chatty crew and I appreciate my super abbreviated welcome ("Mr Austgap, you've heard this heaps before, thanks for your loyalty and let me know what you need.) Yet it all felt super sloppy, much worse then the Perth routes and closer to the east coast domestics. Hopeful for a better experience on Monday night.

for what it's worth the EY lounge was open for VA PAX before check-in around ~2100. Good salmon al-carte menu.

 

[pauly7]

Flew VA89 on Thursday. Very much an A330 crew, (stupidly in hindsight) elected for dinner. 3.5 hours after take off I got my cheese plate removed... every dish was stone cold. Don't get me wrong they were really engaging chatty crew and I appreciate my super abbreviated welcome ("Mr Austgap, you've heard this heaps before, thanks for your loyalty and let me know what you need.) Yet it all felt super sloppy, much worse then the Perth routes and closer to the east coast domestics. Hopeful for a better experience on Monday night.

for what it's worth the EY lounge was open for VA PAX before check-in around ~2100. Good salmon al-carte menu.

Sounds like some teething problems (hopefully only teething) getting their international flights up to scratch on the A330s.

 

[andyhui01]

New lounge is up and running and in the 200s terminal. Nice views of the Tarmac, I'd say similar to CX J, just a little smaller.

 

[serfty]

New lounge is up and running and in the 200s terminal. Nice views of the Tarmac, I'd say similar to CX J, just a little smaller.

Presumably that's in HKG at the new "Midfield Concourse" * [mainly?] used by Hong Kong Airways. Is that the terminal VA now normally departs from?

* (being a newish satellite terminal to the West of the main one)

 

[andyhui01]

Yes. The new Hong Kong airlines lounge is now in the Mid-field concourse, Gates starting with 200-220 I believe, this is where VA has departed from the last 3 times I flew. The old one was in a really awkward position between immigration and the midfield concourse. From the looks of it, I believe all Hong Kong Airlines flights depart from there.

Go up the escalators when you get to the middle and the lounge is behind on the right. Check in agent says it just opened a few days ago.

VA are getting better every time I fly this route (Y only so far). CSM this time (ex 777) was great and they seem to be more and more organised/polished as they gain more experience. Based on my conversations with them, I believe they are rostered about once a week on this route with 1 full day rest in HKG. I don't think they have many crew on this route as I have seen at least 1 familiar face every time I have flown so far.

 

[Yipchoi]

I did a return leg in Y about 3 weeks ago. The trip up was a bit of a dog's breakfast (though TBF, this was largely due to many things beyond VA control with gate changes etc which flowed on to lack of priority boarding and a crew both overwhelmed by complaints due to this and inexperienced enough for it t flow onto other aspects). But the trip back was great. IMO it is a superior product to their Trans-Pacs when they get it right.

Did a return trip in mid July not long after route had started, out in Economy X on the AM flight - Good product for this distance, meal order taken and served before rest of the cabin, ample space to stretch. Check in staff still getting acquainted with check in process, Etihad Lounge hit the spot. Crew did a great job, economy I would say was about 70% full and J only 3 seats empty from what i could see.On the way back flew J.....having flown in J on the A330 from PER to MEL last year, I was looking forward to trying it out on a longer trip.Checked in at Central Station prior to travelling to the airport, hassle free and no bags to worry about en route to airport. (Managed to check out the Outdoor Viewing Terrace once at the airport...hot and humid but awesome views over the airport and towards cargo side)HK lounge was ok (glad to hear of the new one now open)J service was outstanding, nothing too much trouble, Main Course I chose the Steak and it was spot on, Starter of duck pancakes superb.Fast track immigration card handed out on arrival....

 

[Bagpuss]

So where do crew rest on these flights? I'm still assuming they have curtained off the back of economy?

 

[Yipchoi]

So where do crew rest on these flights? I'm still assuming they have curtained off the back of economy?

They have two crew rest areas curtained off at the rear of economy on both sides

 

[andyhui01]

So where do crew rest on these flights? I'm still assuming they have curtained off the back of economy?

yes, last 3 rows A/C & H/K on either side with curtains

 

[Bagpuss]

Route is now doing daily https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-goes-daily-on-melbourne-hong-kong

But not quite the standardized timeslots. But not overly wishywashy.

 

[andyhui01]

I was watching this video https://youtu.be/dGXahSnA_oA about flight scheduling and the part of about N.America to S.America applies to Australia/Asia as well

My only frustration with the new schedule is that I have always picked the days when VA89 was running, not keen on wasting a day on the plane. Plus how would that work out for connections on Hong Kong Airlines?

For North-> South America flights, the planes are parked during the day. Either VA is not getting the early AM landing slots in HKG daily or they want better aircraft utilisation. The A332's are not exactly in demand anywhere else and they have enough left to do PER/MEL/SYD flights so maybe they are not getting the slots they want.

I hope it is due to slots and this is just a stop gap while they find a daily AM slot.

 

[serfty]

I see VA is listed for HKG Airport Express InTown Check in. (MTR > In-Town Check-In Counters Information)

Has anyone used this service for VA flight? Kowloon or Central?

Other than that, what time does check-in open at the Airport?