Virgin - Australia to LA

[Kev66]

Just planning a holiday to the US in January 17.Currently Velocity Platinum and considering Virgin Business - probably out of Brisbane as there are some good business class deals on offer.Would be interested in any feedback from others who have flown internationally with Virgin business class.

 

[pythonisman]

I've done it annually the last few years and had a great experience.
By next year all their fleet will be upgraded to the new seat, which by all means should be well and truly stellar compared to their current one. (I'm one of the minority who actually don't mind what they have, but more space/privacy/direct aisle access is definitely going to be great)

In terms of service and 'soft product' in my experience it's been great. The crew are friendly and usually very attentive. The food has been pretty decent (It's still airplane food, but it's definitely not sub-par in my experience).

The bar is a great feature (and should be better when it becomes a proper staffed-service affair). I have enjoyed plenty a quiet drink/nightcap while either reading after lunch trying to convince my body to sleep, or talking to other pax (who've ranged from DYKWIAs to nice folk I've had good conversation with) while everyone wears their VA PJs.

(Speaking of which the VA PJs are comfy I've found. The amenity kit is so-so; but it exists and has the basics you need).

I BYO Bose headphones so can't comment on the type provided, they look to be about a 6 or 7/10 vs the Bose which I'd call about a 9 in terms of noise blackout.


The Air NZ lounge in BNE (has just? - not sure) been refurbed (or is about to be) so it should be significantly better than it used to be. It was poor. The Star Alliance lounge in LA is excellent and in my opinion (the J lounges anyway) probably has the edge on the QF J lounge (though the F lounges are a different story).

I love the balcony area of the *A lounge at LAX - though in January it may be a tad chilly - but at least it's probably gonna be quiet!

I wouldn't hesitate to fly them if the price, timing, or status crediting was right

 

[pythonisman]

I sound like a fanboy haha. I am definitely a fan of the product both hard and soft.

Worth mentioning I've booked again for July/Aug '16 for my annual pilgrimage and looking forward to reporting back on the new seating / layout..!

 

[Milefest]

Welcome to the forum!

I agree with everything pthonisman said.

Looking forward to trying the 777`s new business class, the current J product is beginning to age, but it's still pretty good.

On-board service is great as usual.

I haven't been to the new refurbed ANZ lounge in BNE yet, but I've been to the one in SYD quite a few times, it's quite nice. Brisbane's ANZ lounge was long overdue for upgrade, so thumbs up for finally doing it.

The outside terrace at LAX Star Alliance lounge is a great little hideaway, on a clear night you're able to see the Hollywood sign in the distance

 

[Captain hum]

We have flown VA j class in the wonderful row 5. This will be a sad loss when the new seats come online IMO. Super comfy beds. Food was fine. Nothing earth shattering, but very nice. Service can be hit and miss. We've had great service and and ok service.
We are flying Air NZ J class this June for the first time, so will be interested to see how it compares. From a jet lag point of view the AIR NZ flight time works better for us as it is an evening flight. The daytime departure of VA from BNE is a pain for me.
The new lounge in Brisbane is lovely. A huge improvement on the old one.

Platinum VA gets you into the first class lounge at LAX, which is much quieter than the J class lounge. You have to go into J class lounge to shower, but can eat in either lounge.

 

[pythonisman]

We have flown VA j class in the wonderful row 5. This will be a sad loss when the new seats come online IMO.

Row 5 is outstanding and it's all I've flown. The new layout won't be as private and that'll be a loss, but the comfort and privacy of the new seat should outweigh that. I would always pick the aisle seat and someone always ended up in the window, but even with the curtains closed it never felt weird to be enclosed, and I never needed the eyemask with it being nice and dark which I loved

We are flying Air NZ J class this June for the first time, so will be interested to see how it compares. From a jet lag point of view the AIR NZ flight time works better for us as it is an evening flight. The daytime departure of VA from BNE is a pain for me.

I've done NZ J on the 772 (not 773, but I believe the product is pretty similar). I rated it. The food again wasn't spectacular but was solid. Crew were maybe a little less attentive but by no means deficient. Comfy seat/bed and I liked the layout. And I couldn't agree more, the afternoon departure out of SYD; then I think 8pm from AKL (for me to YVR) meant about a midday arrival and was so much better from a body clock perspective...