Virgin Blue Experience

[ReLoad]

Flew DJ yesterday with my new status matched Velocity Gold and I thought I would share my experiences:

Fare was around 40% of the equivalent fare with Qantas.

Left Melbourne at 7.30 am on DJ 815, spent time in the old GW lounge, nice and quiet, lots of empty seats, and some cereal for breakfast, staff were very courteous and helpful. (I don’t drink coffee but there was a rather busy barista working away)

The Lounge was clean and presented quite well, it was very good to be away from the great unwashed, since the airport was full of schoolies.

I had seat 3F window seat, which is my preference, so was quite lucky in this regard.
(Here’s a tip for you DJ, for your higher tier FF’ers include a seating preference in our profiles!)
Excellent leg room (more than QF 737’s) but the seat was rock hard (and not as wide? Maybe that’s just me being picky?)
There was no IFE on the aircraft at all.

Only point of gripe was the boarding gate attendant was too busy talking to a friend about how her boyfriend was a pain spending too much time with his mates, she did not even acknowledge anyone handing her their boarding passes, I even said good morning but was ignored.

On the return left on DJ 852 from Sydney.
The Sydney lounge is much larger and again was quiet and there was plenty of space, The lounge dragon wasn’t a dragon as she changed my flight for me.
While I was getting my flight changed a posse of American travellers came in apparently some sort of music star and his entourage, T-Bag, T-spoon, T-way or something like that, no idea who he was but virgin staff were gushing all over him, was quite funny. The lounge dragon and I had no idea who he was either, its clear that I’m not in touch with Gen Y’s music tastes.

Had an exit row seat 12B, leg room was fine as a exit row, but again the seats are made of concrete.

Both flights the cabin crew were friendly enough and had a few laughs.

Overall the experience was good without being spectacular, flights were on time without any issues, the lounges are good and not as crowded as QF’s J lounges.

For an airfare that was 60% less than QF’s on a short hop it was worth it, but anything longer than an hour, those seats are going to kill me.

So overall I’ll give the experience a B- (those seats cost it dearly!)

 

[straitman]

Flew DJ yesterday with my new status matched Velocity Gold and I thought I would share my experiences:

Fare was around 40% of the equivalent fare with Qantas.

Left Melbourne at 7.30 am on DJ 815, spent time in the old GW lounge, nice and quiet, lots of empty seats, and some cereal for breakfast, staff were very courteous and helpful. (I don’t drink coffee but there was a rather busy barista working away)

The Lounge was clean and presented quite well, it was very good to be away from the great unwashed, since the airport was full of schoolies.

I had seat 3F window seat, which is my preference, so was quite lucky in this regard.
(Here’s a tip for you DJ, for your higher tier FF’ers include a seating preference in our profiles!)
Excellent leg room (more than QF 737’s) but the seat was rock hard (and not as wide? Maybe that’s just me being picky?)
There was no IFE on the aircraft at all.

Only point of gripe was the boarding gate attendant was too busy talking to a friend about how her boyfriend was a pain spending too much time with his mates, she did not even acknowledge anyone handing her their boarding passes, I even said good morning but was ignored.

On the return left on DJ 852 from Sydney.
The Sydney lounge is much larger and again was quiet and there was plenty of space, The lounge dragon wasn’t a dragon as she changed my flight for me.
While I was getting my flight changed a posse of American travellers came in apparently some sort of music star and his entourage, T-Bag, T-spoon, T-way or something like that, no idea who he was but virgin staff were gushing all over him, was quite funny. The lounge dragon and I had no idea who he was either, its clear that I’m not in touch with Gen Y’s music tastes.

Had an exit row seat 12B, leg room was fine as a exit row, but again the seats are made of concrete.

Both flights the cabin crew were friendly enough and had a few laughs.

Overall the experience was good without being spectacular, flights were on time without any issues, the lounges are good and not as crowded as QF’s J lounges.

For an airfare that was 60% less than QF’s on a short hop it was worth it, but anything longer than an hour, those seats are going to kill me.

So overall I’ll give the experience a B- (those seats cost it dearly!)

ReLoad,

An interesting report.

Thanks very much.

 

[dk4]

Nice report, a good read.

...the seat was rock hard ...but again the seats are made of concrete... but anything longer than an hour, those seats are going to kill me...those seats cost it dearly!

+5.

Their seats are going to be a big problem trying to churn new customers (now that they are starting to overcome the barriers to trial) - without a quick & costly new capital investment.

 

[markis10]

Nice report, a good read. +5.

Their seats are going to be a big problem trying to churn new customers (now that they are starting to overcome the barriers to trial) - without a quick & costly new capital investment.

I believe there are new cabins on the way which includes new seats, for next year.

 

[samh004]

(Here’s a tip for you DJ, for your higher tier FF’ers include a seating preference in our profiles!)

It’s coming, their upgraded system will allow it but they’re rolling out things slowly to make sure they work, rather than all at once and catastrophe

I’m officially on my first Virgin Blue flight this afternoon, lounge is about 55% full now. Can’t fault the beer

 

[JeniSkunk]

It’s coming, their upgraded system will allow it but they’re rolling out things slowly to make sure they work, rather than all at once and catastrophe

I’m officially on my first Virgin Blue flight this afternoon, lounge is about 55% full now. Can’t fault the beer

Sam, when you posted this, which Lounge were you at, and how was the flight?

Jenifur Charne

 

[Voyages]

The toasted muesli at the CBR lounge was great. I also like the pool table & the 'cinema' room @ the MEL lounge. It's nice not to fight for a good seat/table.

Perhaps a couple of desktops will make it dandy.

 

[markis10]

The toasted muesli at the CBR lounge was great. I also like the pool table & the 'cinema' room @ the MEL lounge. It's nice not to fight for a good seat/table.

Perhaps a couple of desktops will make it dandy.

What do you mean by desktops, PC's? In Melbourne they are just to the right of the barista, in Canberra they were around the back in the old terminal.

 

[777]

The toasted muesli at the CBR lounge was great. I also like the pool table & the 'cinema' room @ the MEL lounge. It's nice not to fight for a good seat/table.

Perhaps a couple of desktops will make it dandy.

There are desktops (as in computers i assume) at both the CBR and MEL lounges. In MEL they are to your right after the entrance near the meeting rooms. In CBR from rough memory (only been there once or twice) right and then right again - they are tucked away around the back a bit.

777.

 

[Voyages]

What do you mean by desktops, PC's? In Melbourne they are just to the right of the barista, in Canberra they were around the back in the old terminal.

There are desktops (as in computers i assume) at both the CBR and MEL lounges. In MEL they are to your right after the entrance near the meeting rooms. In CBR from rough memory (only been there once or twice) right and then right again - they are tucked away around the back a bit.
777.

So obviously I didn't look hard enough

 

[777]

So obviously I didn't look hard enough

And i didn't post fast enough! That Markis is quick on the draw!

777.

 

[samh004]

Sam, when you posted this, which Lounge were you at, and how was the flight?

Jenifur Charne

I was in BNE. It was much busier than The Lounge in MEL. But also smaller.

 

[Gold Member]

I also used my newly gifted Gold status yesterday on DJ242 ADL-MEL. I had two nobodys travelling with me so didn't like my chance at guesting in DJ Lounge but thought I'd ask anyway. 'No'.

Went down to QF Lounge and flashed the Plat card and requested guesting of two pax to which the answer was yes for me, but not for the other two. So we ended up at some bar in the airport. BTW, there's no decent restaurants in ADL airport! They're all poxy cheapo places.

Anyhoo, I had an interesting conversation with the CSD who mentioned that the biz and economy seating are going to be refitted from FEBRUARY 2011. At that point, they will also adjust their op-up approach so that Gold's stand a chance when the PE cabin is empty.

My assessment of the DJ experience was limited to the flight which was pleasant enough for economy. Checkin agent was very nice and did her best to accommodate nobody colleagues next to me. Sat in 3F so had a lot more legroom due to the PE seat configuration. Cabin crew were fine and boarding/disembarcation was easy. Best thing? When they called for all PE and Gold Velocity members to board first - I walked past this queue that snailed around for 50 metres with a cheeky grin

 

[Voyages]

Went down to QF Lounge and flashed the Plat card and requested guesting of two pax to which the answer was yes for me, but not for the other two.

Isn't it QF policy that QF Platinum can have 2 guests?

Member can access the lounge at any time.^
Two guests allowed and do not need to be travelling+.

 

[markis10]

Its good to see that there are quite a few people taking up the offer and using it!

I would be curious to know on what basis you were refused entry to the QP??

Member can access the lounge at any time.^
Two guests allowed and do not need to be travelling+.

I dont remember this being in the rules though:

^ Must be travelling, not necessarily on Qantas, British Airways or Jetstar to access the lounge.

Regardless, you meet the criteria!

 

[serfty]

...
Went down to QF Lounge and flashed the Plat card and requested guesting of two pax to which the answer was yes for me, but not for the other two. ...

Isn't it QF policy that QF Platinum can have 2 guests?

Member can access the lounge at any time.^
Two guests allowed and do not need to be travelling+.

...
I would be curious to know on what basis you were refused entry to the QP??
...

I am surprised at this as well (for the reasons mentioned) :-|

I suggest you make a complaint using the Qantas customer care facility.

 

[medhead]

Best thing? When they called for all PE and Gold Velocity members to board first - I walked past this queue that snailed around for 50 metres with a cheeky grin

I try not to grin. but I do enjoy saying excuse me as I step past all those who have just rushed to get in front if me. Priority boarding that actually happens is the best thing about being gold.

 

[Justinf]

I also used my newly gifted Gold status yesterday on DJ242 ADL-MEL. I had two nobodys travelling with me so didn't like my chance at guesting in DJ Lounge but thought I'd ask anyway. 'No'.

Went down to QF Lounge and flashed the Plat card and requested guesting of two pax to which the answer was yes for me, but not for the other two. So we ended up at some bar in the airport. BTW, there's no decent restaurants in ADL airport! They're all poxy cheapo places.

Anyhoo, I had an interesting conversation with the CSD who mentioned that the biz and economy seating are going to be refitted from FEBRUARY 2011. At that point, they will also adjust their op-up approach so that Gold's stand a chance when the PE cabin is empty.

My assessment of the DJ experience was limited to the flight which was pleasant enough for economy. Checkin agent was very nice and did her best to accommodate nobody colleagues next to me. Sat in 3F so had a lot more legroom due to the PE seat configuration. Cabin crew were fine and boarding/disembarcation was easy. Best thing? When they called for all PE and Gold Velocity members to board first - I walked past this queue that snailed around for 50 metres with a cheeky grin

You are entitled one guest at the DJ Lounge so I am a bit perplexed why you didn't just all chuck in $10 and pay the $30 for the 3rd person to enter the Lounge as a paying gues (actually I think it's $35)? $35 would get you a round of beers in the Coopers Ale House at ADL airport and not much more. You were better off spending your money at the Lounge for the 3rd guest and drink and eat to your heart's content.

 

[Gold Member]

Work was paying for meal/drinks at up to $50 per person anyway so more chance getting approval for drink/meal at Coopers ale house than 'DJ Lounge single Entry'! Plus, neither lounges have real 'food' anyway, not that the Alehouse did either though :shock:

I don't mind flying DJ if I have to, but only if I get row 3. Otherwise, I'd much rather QF row 4 with Plat Lounge access, QF/OW points and op-ups.

 

[JohnK]

....Excellent leg room (more than QF 737’s) but the seat was rock hard (and not as wide? Maybe that’s just me being picky?)

I don't like DJ seats at all. Too hard, as you mention, feel funny, and I hate the forced reclined back posture when the seat is supposed to be upright.

There was no IFE on the aircraft at all.

And on aircraft where Live2Air is fitted you cannot even to listen to music/radio if you do not purchase Live2Air.