Virgin Australia Delays/Cancellations

[UpInTheAir:)]

Yep.. and VA683 to PER is also delayed.. so far only 20 minutes..

 

[Melburnian1]

Later on Monday 10 April, VA867 (1700 hours MEL - SYD that took off at 1739 (B738 VH-VOL) should arrive 33 minutes late at 1858 hours.

 

[flydoc]

Onboard VA1361 LST-MEL currently on the Tarmac LST - departed on time at 0620 but turned back to LST due to 'insufficient fuel to hold over MEL where unforecast low cloud and rain has severely slowed operations' (quote from the aircraft captain). New ETD 0915.

 

[flydoc]

Aircraft movements in MEL don't appear greatly disrupted though? Am suspecting there may be a backstory to this

 

[Melburnian1]

Onboard VA1361 LST-MEL currently on the Tarmac LST - departed on time at 0620 but turned back to LST due to 'insufficient fuel to hold over MEL where unforecast low cloud and rain has severely slowed operations' (quote from the aircraft captain). New ETD 0915.

flydoc, that prediction proved accurate as it looks like you landed in MEL at 1013 on Tuesday 11 April. VA259, the 0830 hours MEL- CBR then took off at about 1120 so interesingly it was not cancelled, although it was badly delayed.

 

[Boof1]

Aircraft movements in MEL don't appear greatly disrupted though? Am suspecting there may be a backstory to this

Weather in MEL at the time was marginal, broken cloud at 300 feet with drizzle and the Temp and Dew point were dancing close together so fog was a possibility and hence the chance of holding. I listened to a Live ATC playback and MEL centre advised the aircraft behind you guys that the VA flight was returning to LST to get fuel as not enough to hold so it seems genuine.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA684 on Wednesday 12 April (A332 VH-XFH, the 1135 PER - MEL that was not in the sky until 1237 hours) should pull in to its designated arival gae at roughly 1741, 36 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Later on 12 April, VA875, the 1615 hours MEL - SYD that was not airborne until 1810 should arrive at about 1915 instead of the scheduled 1740 hours.

VA872 in the southbound direction, the 1745 hours that was airborne at 1839 is arriving in MEL at roughly 2000 hours, 40 minutes late with B738 VH-VUA.

 

[marki]

Flight on the 9th of April to Karratha. VA 679 and VA 1727
An explanation with regards to Virgin Australia !! Why would VA decline my boarding on Sunday? 9th April 2017 You may ask? I would like to mention my opinion about the VA airlines low cost (Tiger) mentality.

My journey started earlier in the day leaving home on-time, then hitting unseasonal traffic to Melbourne airport. This was most likely due to road works along the entire Tullamarine freeway followed by car park like stand-still conditions approaching the actual Tullamarine airport terminal.
After arriving at the VA terminals, I proceeded to find a very large queue for check-in. I went to the business line queue instead as it was shorter. However, even then, I waited several more minutes.
After proceeding to the check-in desk I was told that being 1 minute late, unfortunately check-in was closed. It did not matter that I was a business customer. I bid for a competitive business class upgrade and paying 430 dollars which of course is now completely forfeit.
I was ushered to a different desk for what appeared to be further help but quickly understood it would be impossible to reach Karratha on the same day i.e. 9th April.
Having realised my options were completely slim, and finding Virgin help most un-useful.

They did not find a need to help a business customer (one that's ticket is paid for by a corporation that uses their services a lot)
I had a business class ticket and they made no effort to try and accommodate me.
My previous experiences had been different with Virgin. Now they were not helpful or sympathetic, would not consider taking my bag and putting a "last bag" sticker on it.
The check in person I was dealing with knew I had to be in Karratha. I explained clearly my job was a mission critical role. And many would be affected by it.
Therefore I did not waste much time with this Tiger/ United Airlines mentality. I quickly walked to the Qantas ticketing desk in at the Qantas terminal where I was greeted with a helpful smile upon asking whether they could get me to Karratha.
I paid for a one way ticket to Karratha (690 dollars). Please note that despite a closed check-in they were able to issue me a ticket and check me in and take my suitcase. I was so pleasantly surprised when a points upgrade was possible to business.
It was great to relax after that stressful Virgin episode ( think tiger air mentality and United Airline like hostility).
Trying to forget the recent unpleasant experience was now much easier.

I realise that experiences are different for different people. But when an Airline goes out their way without any prompting and is able to go above and beyond just normal service expectations it needs to be ..... bought to the worlds attention and hailed as a great .....achievement in this world of Oscar Munoz Oscar underachievers and so on .......Thank You Qantas ..............and the ticketing team at Melbourne Domestic Counter.

The ticketing person was so helpful walking after me to ensure and directing staff to accept my luggage. Thank you Qantas ..... and VA look at your competition, the difference is so contrasting it hurts.....

 

[Melburnian1]

Flight on the 9th of April to Karratha. VA 679 and VA 1727
An explanation with regards to Virgin Australia !!...I had a business class ticket and they made no effort to try and accommodate me.
I quickly walked to the Qantas ticketing desk in at the Qantas terminal...I paid for a one way ticket to Karratha (690 dollars)....

While one way fares historically (not so much now) have been far more expensive than return tickets, that's a very high QF one way fare to Karratha and shows why travel within Australia is uncompetitive.

However you were treated extremely poorly by VA. Some flexibility should always be on offer for premium fare passengers. Unfortunately we all remember incidents like this, and inform our family, friends and probably in your case work colleagues.

Given that VA is competing with an airline to which many corporations and government organisations have close ties, VA's staff need to drop any arrogance and do everything possible to assist passengers like you.

I remain of the view that VA will never make an acceptable return on its capital ('acceptable' is, however, subjective.)

 

[Melburnian1]

On Thursday 13 April VA726 from OOL down to MEL, the 0655 hours, was airborne at 0750 with arrival of B738 Vh-YFN suggested as 0954, 34 late. This looks to be forming VA219, the 1005 hours MEL - ADL that should instead depart at about 1040.

VA800, the first of the morning from SYD to MEL at a timetabled 0600 hours was cancelled. The 0830 hours MEL - SYD VA823 has also got the boot.

The timetabled 0820 hours arrival in MEL ex BNE, VA304 is expected in at 0858, 38 minutes tardy with B738 VH-YIG.

The 0700 hours SYD - MEL VA808 took off at 0759 with B738 VH-VUP; arrival should be at around 0915 hours, 40 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

Late in the evening of Thursday 13 April, VA695, the 1910 hours early evening MEL - PER that was airborne at 2047 should arrive at 2239 (64 minutes behind schedule) with B738 Vh-YFN.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Late in the evening of Thursday 14 April, VA695, the 1910 hours early evening MEL - PER that was airborne at 2047 should arrive at 2239 (64 minutes behind schedule) with B738 Vh-YFN.

This should say 13 April

 

[Melburnian1]

On Good Friday, 14 April 2017, VA166, the 0945 hours to AKL did not depart MEL until about 1500 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

Easter Saturday 15 April 2017 sees VA212, the 0955 hours arrival in MEL ex ADL cancelled.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA749, the Easter Sunday 16 April 2017 1515 hours mid afternoon MEL to OOL (B738 Vh-VUC) took off at 1603. It should arrive at around 1750 hours, half an hour behind.

 

[Melburnian1]

Apologies that I missed this on Easter Sunday (16 April 2017), but none of us can or would want to monitor every flight. Here is a report of a turnback allegedly due to a disruptive passenger (not a 'guest' - stupid term) on board a VA PER - DRW flight:

https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/unha...in-as-plane-turns-back-to-perth-ng-b88448106z

 

[Melburnian1]

Wednesday 19 April's VA819 (0800 hours peak period MEL - SYD) has been cancelled as has VA259, the 0830 hours MEL - CBR. VA's frequency on the latter is not huge so one wonders what happens to booked passengers.

Inbound to MEL, the 0730 hours arrival from CBR (VA252) and the 0630 hours SYD - MEL (VA804) are also to get the gong.

 

[Melburnian1]

Wednesday 19 April has had some early morning fog in MEL. TT426 has already, it appears, diverted to ADL while VA1313, the 0600 HBA - MEL that took off at 0612 (B738 VH-VUP) had a missed approach at about 0709, but landed on its second attempt at 0725.

So far departures at MEL appear to be all taking off to the west.

 

[Melburnian1]

Much later on Wednesday 19 April, the 1400 hours PER - MEL VA690 took off at 1647 so predicted arrival is 2000 hours, half an hour late.

VA342 (B738 VH-VOL, the 1655 hours BNE down to MEL that was not in the sky until 1808) should pull into its destination airport gate at roughly 2010 hours this evening, 50 minutes tardy.