Virgin Australia to Reconfigure 737 Fleet - Spend $110M

[ozstamps]

Anyone got ANYTHING to add to the actual topic - which is

'Virgin Australia to Reconfigure 737 Fleet - Spend $110M'​

Do you like the lazy non improvements to the fleet over the past 2 years - or not?

It is not really that hard to have an opinion on the TOPIC.

And yes, I am Virgin Platinum for another year, twice over in fact, and not 'allegedly' and am perfectly entitled to offer my views, as I fly Virgin more than many do.

This below is one view ON THE TOPIC, and I agree - maybe you 3 all love no dividers of any kind - we will never know, as you have voiced no opinion, as you are too busy 'liking' each other's posts, like giggling teenagers.

That seat 3b or 3e on this VA machine (IJR) ex Perth to Melbourne yesterday looks well rubbish. First time for me being beyond row 2 for a while and noticeable to me the reduction in row 3 leg room (in 3a).

Glad I was not in biz either really for the cost.

Absolutely no differentiation without the "curtain" and the service looked a bit lack lacklustre. The pax in biz all looked as if to say "what have I paid for"...

 

[HS-TQE]

Anyone got ANYTHING to add to the actual topic - which is

'Virgin Australia to Reconfigure 737 Fleet - Spend $110M'​

Do you like the lazy non improvements to the fleet - or ot. It is not that hard to have an opinion on the TOPIC.

This is one view, and I agree - maybe you both love it - we will never know.

That seat 3b or 3e on this VA machine (IJR) ex Perth to Melbourne yesterday looks well rubbish. First time for me being beyond row 2 for a while and noticeable to me the reduction in row 3 leg room (in 3a). Glad I was not in biz either really for the cost. Absolutely no differentiation without the "curtain" and the service looked a bit lack lacklustre. The pax in biz all looked as if to say "what have I paid for"...

You clearly steered it off-topic when you have your daily whine and hatred of VA.

I suggest you take your own advice.

 

[SeaWolf]

and am perfectly entitled to offer my views.

Well, yes, you are. And we're entitled to discuss if your views on this topic are accurate or should be taken seriously. I think the consensus is in...

 

[MarkD]

Agreed. Even Virgin Australia said themselves through Bain that they're a "Value Carrier" going forward, "Not a Low Cost or Not a Full Service carrier" when they exited administration.

If you want a straight full service airline, the common sense thing to do is to get a status match with QF, exit VA and move on with your life.

Just to continue the OT Posting ……..Value carrier. Pffft. I know they said that but its just their way of believing they are something more. They a ARE a LCC. Simple. Even their lounges are extremely basic and uninspiring plus extremely limited locations. If i need to get my wallet out to get a snack or a coke then theh are a lcc
This bullshit of calling yourself something different to try and differentiate yourself from other similar operations is deceptive

 

[MooTime]

Anyone got ANYTHING to add to the actual topic - which is

'Virgin Australia to Reconfigure 737 Fleet - Spend $110M'​

Do you like the lazy non improvements to the fleet over the past 2 years - or not?

It is not really that hard to have an opinion on the TOPIC.

And yes, I am Virgin Platinum for another year, twice over in fact, and not 'allegedly' and am perfectly entitled to offer my views, as I fly Virgin more than many do.

This below is one view ON THE TOPIC, and I agree - maybe you 3 all love no dividers of any kind - we will never know, as you have voiced no opinion, as you are too busy 'liking' each other's posts, like giggling teenagers.

That seat 3b or 3e on this VA machine (IJR) ex Perth to Melbourne yesterday looks well rubbish. First time for me being beyond row 2 for a while and noticeable to me the reduction in row 3 leg room (in 3a).

Glad I was not in biz either really for the cost.

Absolutely no differentiation without the "curtain" and the service looked a bit lack lacklustre. The pax in biz all looked as if to say "what have I paid for"...

You rant bout being ON TOPIC then Immediately tell us your platinum and will be for another year, yeah that's ON TOPIC.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Anyone got ANYTHING to add to the actual topic - which is

'Virgin Australia to Reconfigure 737 Fleet - Spend $110M'​

Absolutely no differentiation without the "curtain" and the service looked a bit lack lacklustre. The pax in biz all looked as if to say "what have I paid for"...

It’s price. That’s why they've travelled VA.

That could be because of perceived value (is QF’s $6k return fares to Perth ‘value’… almost certainly not), or because they can’t afford QF’s prices.

But either way, if you’re flying VA there should be no misconception about why.

 

[Human]

It’s price. That’s why they've travelled VA.

Exactly. Regardless of the fleet reconfiguration (see my amazingly subtle attempt to stay on topic there? ) VA rarely has better service than Qantas. What it has almost always had is better value-for-money. I fly Virgin, not Qantas, because I don't want to pay (actually can't afford to pay...) exhorbitantly more money for a marginally better inflight experience. But I will unashamedly admit that Qantas' inflight experience is better, most of the time. Just not worth the price they're asking. But I really enjoy flying Qantas when someone else is paying.

Virgin is not the best. But given its fares, it's good enough.

 

[Stone]

Continuing on the off topic theme...

Virgin can be a better option for those whose home ports have been Jetstarified. From my home port, there are only 3 flights a day on Qantas to Sydney, but up to 10 with Virgin.

 

[p--and--t]

In the last couple years flights domestically in Y (usually BFOD plus buying exit row) as a NB, I now have strong preference to travel JQ.

I no longer see any value on VA in Y

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Two pax in row one on my flight last week in suits. Nowhere to hang jackets with the new interiors. Poor guys had to sit with their jackets draped over their laps for the whole flight.

 

[anat0l]

Two pax in row one on my flight last week in suits. Nowhere to hang jackets with the new interiors. Poor guys had to sit with their jackets draped over their laps for the whole flight.

No coat lockers? Where do the crew stash their bags?

 

[twinaisle]

No coat lockers? Where do the crew stash their bags?

Hybrid airlines don't envision cost lockers unfortunately. Crew stash their bags in the hat racks (overhead bins)

 

[anat0l]

Hybrid airlines don't envision cost lockers unfortunately. Crew stash their bags in the hat racks (overhead bins)

So that uses up space that otherwise passenger bags could use? A bit of an ouch.

 

[mel-world]

Maybe the title of this thread needs an update to 'Why I hate Virgin Australia'. The recent topics seem to be focused on this theme.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Maybe the title of this thread needs an update to 'Why I hate Virgin Australia'. The recent topics seem to be focused on this theme.

It would have been the opposite if VA had maximised passenger comfort as part of the reconfiguration.

It’s directly on topic, unfortunately.

 

[simmomelb]

So that uses up space that otherwise passenger bags could use? A bit of an ouch.

Really? There is usually room for them without impacting any pax.
Qantas does precisely this on the same & similar-sized aircraft.

 

[PERLHR]

Ofcourse in the old layout (non Cong aircraft) there remains hangar space for jacket and even coat (had my own there) behind row 2 infront of 3...by the divider ....oh yeah dividers ....

 

[PERLHR]

Yeah

Maybe the title of this thread needs an update to 'Why I hate Virgin Australia'. The recent topics seem to be focused on this theme.

maybe...but I guess in a way it's only natural as we all adjust to the new layouts, the new status collection and poor points collection. Takes a wee while to get over....and I'm guessing for many, while it was straight forward decision perhaps in the past to choose VA, maybe now, not so.

 

[simmomelb]

Yeah

maybe...but I guess in a way it's only natural as we all adjust to the new layouts, the new status collection and poor points collection. Takes a wee while to get over....and I'm guessing for many, while it was straight forward decision perhaps in the past to choose VA, maybe now, not so.

I am going to put a positive spin on it, but only some will look at it this way, those who qualify and those with an open mind.
For those, which VA would now consider, frequent flyers, moving forward, this will potentially work in their favour (those earning status based on new spend levels).

- Fewer people in the lounge, bonus!
- Potentially a much higher quality product due to increased value of each member (better food, better drinks), which I wouldn't expect to see for at least 12 ish months as they wait for the lower value "frequent flyers" to drop off.

I know those who won't qualify will quickly disagree with this (doom gloom/won't happen/doesn't include me so I don't care) BUT it would only make sense from their perspective to build loyalty with what higher value frequent flyers will expect.
They simply can't, in my view, long-term, offer the same product as today in domestic lounges when those in the lounge will be spending far, far more $$, along with Amex members (which also brings in revenue per visit).
Thoughts?

 

[Human]

I am going to put a positive spin on it, but only some will look at it this way, those who qualify and those with an open mind.
For those, which VA would now consider, frequent flyers, moving forward, this will potentially work in their favour (those earning status based on new spend levels).

- Fewer people in the lounge, bonus!
- Potentially a much higher quality product due to increased value of each member (better food, better drinks), which I wouldn't expect to see for at least 12 ish months as they wait for the lower value "frequent flyers" to drop off.

I know those who won't qualify will quickly disagree with this (doom gloom/won't happen/doesn't include me so I don't care) BUT it would only make sense from their perspective to build loyalty with what higher value frequent flyers will expect.
They simply can't, in my view, long-term, offer the same product as today in domestic lounges when those in the lounge will be spending far, far more $$, along with Amex members (which also brings in revenue per visit).
Thoughts?

Hmm.

I think we can agree that we want Virgin to succeed and that involves the airline being financially sustainable and profitable. That occasionally involves making decisions that may be unpalatable to some people. So if things like the new SC and points (earning and using) tables are what are required for financial health, then that’s a good thing as it’s in everyone’s interest that Qantas has a viable competitor.

And we can also agree that there are too many occasions when Virgin’s lounges are unpleasant. I hate walking into a Lounge only to find that it’s standing room only and that the food offering is the same old soup and salad, and maybe a pasta that’s so soggy and overcooked that you suspect it’s been left to boil overnight.

On the other hand we all know that there’s been airline after airline that has gone so far with cost-cutting that they’ve ended up alienating many (not all) of their most loyal customers, and I think there’s a genuine suspicion that Virgin has become one of them.

It’s a question of balance. Has Virgin got that balance right? Maybe not.

You assume that VA has no choice but to take its lounge offerings up-market. You assume that it’s a fait accompli that it will happen. I must admit that I don’t share your confidence!