Virgin Australia Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

The 28 December 2015 VA1529 from HBA to SYD (VH-BZG, a B738) is timetabled to depart at 0840 hours but did not take off until 1112, with arrival likely at about 1245, two and a quarter hours late. VA935, the 1100 SYD to BNE has been cancelled, possibly as a result.

 

[Melburnian1]

Onn Saturday 2 January 2016, VA1315, the 0700 HBA - MEL took of at 0902 and should arrive at about 1010, just under two hours late. Aircraft is B738 VH-VOM. VA1507, the 0945 MEL - MCY will be unable to depart until at least 1040, later than shown on the www.virginaustralia.com.au website.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA685 (A332 VH-XFG) is the 1245 MEL - PER. On Sunday 3 January 2016, it did not take off until 1410 so should be in PER a little shy of an hour late - that is, just before 1500 WST.

This looks to be forming VA562, the scheduled 1505 hours to SYD so that will be roughly an hour late as well, but VA is yet to disclose that in its flight status updates.

Mid-afternoon on 3 January, the SYD weather has turned with significant storms. VA945, the 1330 hours SYD to BNE (E190 VH-ZPJ) took off at 1540 hours and should arrive at just after 1600 hours, more than two hours behind time.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA685 from MEL to PER is very significantly delayed with departure time altered from 1300 hours on 4 January 2016 to 1620.

UPDATE: It took off at 1640 hours and is suggested to be in PER at about 1730, three and a quarter hours late, operated by B738 VH-VUV. www.flightaware.com indicates that on all recent days bar two this flight has been one of the more luxurious A332s with (as one descends into jargon or advertising spin) 'The Business'; the other two have been a B738. Information from any booked AFFers as to whether the B738 was substituted for a failed A332 would be appreciated.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA850, the 1500 SYD - MEL Tuesday 5 January flight has been cancelled.

 

[Melburnian1]

The 72 millimetres of rain recorded in 34 and a half hours (to 1930 hours AEST Tuesday 5 January) at BNE airport is taking its toll with it currently ranked by Flightradar24.com - Live flight tracker! as the worst airport worldwide for delays (at present, not monthly or annually.) VA981, the 1900 hours SYD to BNE is holding near OOL and, having taken off only at 2008 tonight is expected in the Sunshine State's capital at about 2040, 70 minutes behind time.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA812, the 0730 from SYD down to MEL is not having a good start to Wednesday 6 January as at 0916 it is still only taxiing in SYD. B738 VH-VUU is the aircraft. IUt is likely to arrive in MEL at 1020 or so, 75 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA1465, the 1955 MEL to DRW on Sunday 10 January did not depart until 2103 hours.

 

[The Flying Brick]

VA 694 PER - MEL 10/01/16 cancelled at PER due to defective engine.
Pax offloaded and returned to gate.
Status pax seem OK for 2230 WST to MEL.
Others may not get there till late Mon morning.

VA ounge is nice but another 3 hours here may be too much.....

 

[Melburnian1]

The Flying Brick, many thanks: sorry to hear that you face the dreaded redeye where a three and a half hour flight is insufficient to really relax and obtain proper sleep in my book.

If you could ascertain whether the non-status passengers are being provided with accommodation (assuming some are out-of-towners) and how they get there and back, and to where, that would be most useful information to know.

 

[The Flying Brick]

Sounds like there is a 738 additional flight departing at 2130 PER - MEL but I have declined a seat on that in favour of the 2230 to MEL in J on the 332.
Will post more after the announcement is made in the VA lounge.....

 

[Melburnian1]

A very wise move by you, The Flying Brick.

 

[The Flying Brick]

Still nothing showing on the board re the additional 738 flight - it seems to be a bit of a secret at the moment.
VA 696 dep 2235 is still showing up as on time but there will be a missing VA 332 departure from MEL tomorrow ( Monday) morning as that aircraft is still sitting in PER.
Time to start thinking compo if booked in J for for the 1st flight (or 2nd) MEL - PER tomorrow

 

[The Flying Brick]

VA 694 replacement flight PER - MEL due out at at -1715 now showing up as departing 2030 WST.
This flight, when it eventually leaves will be on a 738 instead of the scheduled 332.

 

[The Flying Brick]

VA 694 substitute looks like it departed to MEL shortly after 2130 WST.
Pax from the VA lounge were being individually called up to fill seats up until 2120.

 

[The Flying Brick]

VA 696 delayed at PER due to aero bridge malfunction - due out 2235 - but passenger offload and removal of baggage has pushed this beyond 2345 - 70 mins late and still no pushback

 

[Virgin Bart]

VA 696 delayed at PER due to aero bridge malfunction - due out 2235 - but passenger offload and removal of baggage has pushed this beyond 2345 - 70 mins late and still no pushback

A good night in Perth on VA then!

 

[Melburnian1]

The delayed VA696 (A332 VH-XFG) conveying The Flying Brick departed PER at midnight and arrived in MEL on Monday 11 January at 0623, 73 minutes late. The 'extra' VA694 arrived in MEL at 0428.

UPDATE: The 1800 hours SYD to BNE, VA973 (B738 VH-VUF) did not take off until 1857 and hence will not arrive until about 1910 this evening instead of 1830 AEST.

 

[Edge]

Annoyed - VA 309 MEL-BNE on Tuesdays two weeks in a row.

Last week (5/1/16) - pushed back 20 minutes late, only for pilot to report one engine not starting. Took another 90 minutes for engineers to look at it, fix it and complete their paperwork, ended up in BNE ~2 hours late.

Then this morning - VA309 cancelled. Was a full flight too - as I believe the 8am was, so most pax (myself included) have been pushed to the 9am flight. Very disappointed - when doing a day trip to BNE delays like this have a major impact on productivity.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA337 from MEL to BNE has been delayed departing from 1600 hours on Wednesday 13 January 2016 to at least 1650.

With the storms and winds in MEL late this afternoon and early evening, VA278 from CBR to MEL (the 1700 hours that took off more or less on time at 1713) is about to arrive at roughly 1845 (35 minutes late) with VH-VUR having completed quite a 'nice looking' holding pattern.