anat0l
Enthusiast
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2006
- Posts
- 11,666
Re: Velocity's Website
Could you elaborate on that from a technical viewpoint? (3 main things that stand out for you?)
Not doubting your judgement, but from an educational perspective I wouldn't mind understanding how to explain technically to others why the differences are important.
To be fair, the Qantas booking engine doesn't really demonstrate fully the extent of "cohesion" between Qantas and QFF. You may regard it as a superior booking experience - and I would tend to agree - though others may very well say otherwise. Also, when on the mobile view, I think both are about the same.
I'd say there's a fairly big swathe of people who would think that that kind of information is not basic or required. One might argue displaying that info may entice more business to the FF programme (e.g. exposure, encourage those who aren't members to sign up and gain points).
Others may argue that seeing the breakdown of costs (taxes etc) and fare rules / class is more important; these things are shown on the VA site arguably better than on QF.
I don't have any QF bookings for now, but QF only shows your current bookings if you go to Your Bookings in the QFF section. Has this changed?
You'd think that at least they would use relative positioning of elements so that at least the interface would scale across different screen sizes, if they won't make a bespoke design for each size.
Arguments for not changing include cost (right...), "good enough" syndrome, bigger fires to fight / not low hanging fruit, captive audience (if you're not flying QF, you must be flying us)... perhaps if someone could quantify the potential gain for VA if they improved their site, then they just might pay more attention.
As a web designer, the stark difference between Virgin Australia Velocity and Virgin America Elevate sites makes me want to scream.
Could you elaborate on that from a technical viewpoint? (3 main things that stand out for you?)
Not doubting your judgement, but from an educational perspective I wouldn't mind understanding how to explain technically to others why the differences are important.
Qantas just absolutely nails it and it really improves the booking experience.
To be fair, the Qantas booking engine doesn't really demonstrate fully the extent of "cohesion" between Qantas and QFF. You may regard it as a superior booking experience - and I would tend to agree - though others may very well say otherwise. Also, when on the mobile view, I think both are about the same.
Virgin doesn't even tell you how many status credits or points you'd get for a booking... I mean that is a really basic feature that should exist.
I'd say there's a fairly big swathe of people who would think that that kind of information is not basic or required. One might argue displaying that info may entice more business to the FF programme (e.g. exposure, encourage those who aren't members to sign up and gain points).
Others may argue that seeing the breakdown of costs (taxes etc) and fare rules / class is more important; these things are shown on the VA site arguably better than on QF.
Upcoming bookings should also show on the Virgin website and not just the Velocity site.
I don't have any QF bookings for now, but QF only shows your current bookings if you go to Your Bookings in the QFF section. Has this changed?
In addition, the Virgin app isn't optimised for the iPhone 6/6s/7 screen size, so looks terrible on any iPhone sold after 2014. Yes that's right, the iPhone 6 came out in 2014 and Virgin's app doesn't even support it.
You'd think that at least they would use relative positioning of elements so that at least the interface would scale across different screen sizes, if they won't make a bespoke design for each size.
It's such a stark difference in experience between a company like Qantas that is investing heavily in IT vs Virgin who seems to be doing the absolute minimum to keep their 1999 website ticking along.
Arguments for not changing include cost (right...), "good enough" syndrome, bigger fires to fight / not low hanging fruit, captive audience (if you're not flying QF, you must be flying us)... perhaps if someone could quantify the potential gain for VA if they improved their site, then they just might pay more attention.