Virgin Blue Experience

[peakhour]

Hi All

I've read with interest the various threads regarding the brand overhall and changes to VB in the works.

I'm a reasonably frequent flyer (30,000 points in the past six months doing the BNE-SYD commute as an example) and having had three return flights in the past three weeks I thought I would share my experience.

Works well:
-Online check in (late arrival)
-The Lounge
-Seat Selection & Dual Exits on the plane (fast disembarkment)

Needs Work:
-Planes could be cleaner
-Addressing of pax by name (first or last) has stopped
-In flight food service too short
-Flight attendants leaving rubbish uncollected then berating pax for leaving tray tables down

Apart from the above, Velocity is good for earning, and the reality of Virgin versus QANTAS' 1000 point minimum on BNE-SYD is around the 2200 points (return one cheap ticket and one flexible) divide 2 = 1100 points.

My 2 cents.

 

[allitsab]

I too have watched the various posts talking about the upcoming VB changes, and to be honest, while I'm hoping for improvements, I'm also a little worried.

I'm a reasonably frequent flyer - was QF Gold, but have flown Virgin exclusively since a bad experience in the club in April last year. Have now earnt my way to gold with Syd-Mel trips similar to the OP's (cheapie + flexi for the way back); and couldn't be happier. In fact, I'd say that it's the differences that I love most about VB. I for one would be horrified if the changes that are about to occur made the airline more Qantas-like.

A few of the differences that I see as positives:

- The seats. Lets face it, economy travel is a reality for business travellers. Cost pressure and the like. I'm 6'4", and the VB seat seems a lot more comfy than the QF one. Whatever you do, don't change em.

- The food. Nothing worse than trying to get some sleep on a 6:00 or 6:45 am flight out of town for the day, only to have your neighbour accept the god-awful smelling mish mash of breakfast, and leave the half-eaten tray out and uncovered for half an hour before the "attendant" comes back to pick it up.

- The club. As above, what's the point of a nice relaxing lounge environment if they let every man and their dog in. Anyone who's braved the QF Tulla lounge around 5-6pmish knows how horrible it can be. Its often easier to find peace and quiet (and a seat) out in the terminal. The lounge and its relatively low level of patronage is just terrific.

- The staff. Make no mistake, hiring young, motivated people has always been the ace up the VB sleeve. People who want to succeed in their own right, change the playing field and actually provide good service are the best asset any business in a tight competitive situation could ever have. They generally go above and beyond, and make customers feel valued. In my experience, VB staff are there for you, where QF staff seem to think of people as a necessary inconvenience.

Of course, there are some things I'd love to see improve:

- The mobile check in of late has sucked balls. In SYD I've even had to talk to a person at the check-in desk to get a printed BP. WTH!

- Priority tagging on bags would be nice (though on a side note, while in the states recently, Delta recognised my status put some sort of priority tagging on the bags)

- In-flight wi-fi would be great. On that same US Trip we also flew Virgin America, who have FREE IN FLIGHT WI FI. BEST IDEA EVER.

I guess in a nutshell, what I'm saying is that what I like best about VB is that they're DIFFERENT to QF. Please stay different (and better), VB. Please.

 

[markis10]

Welcome to AFF allitsab & peakhour, its always good to have new input, we live in interesting times.

 

[munitalP]

...
I guess in a nutshell, what I'm saying is that what I like best about VB is that they're DIFFERENT to QF. Please stay different (and better), VB. Please.

Yes they are different, DJ is a LCC who is trying to join the ranks of the business traveller, but in my opinion, years off.

So how do you combat trying to get some sleep on DJ when your seat neighbor eats something from the v-licous menu and the stench reals havoc on your sleep needs?

Anyway welcome to AFF both of you, first time I can remember 2 1st timers opening a discussion such as...

munitalP

 

[AaronBradford]

Fair points all-round - although I must say I've been addressed by name on pretty much all my recent DJ flights - even had a 'Welcome back, Mr Bradford' NTL-BNE as I boarded.

 

[medhead]

Must say since I got to gold I've always got Welcome Back Mr M. I might have had no welcome sometime when I was red.

Must say I prefer them using my first name it sounds more personal. Anyway...

 

[Major]

Driving around in circles looking for a vacant spot in the bloody car park at OOL makes you feel grrrr....1st thing in the morning.

But I always perk up when greeted with a genuine smile and a welcome back at the top of the stairs.

I enjoy travelling with the Virgin group.

 

[straitman]

Yes they are different, DJ is a LCC who is trying to join the ranks of the business traveller, but in my opinion, years off.

I know it is subjective but I believe it is a whole lot closer than that.

So how do you combat trying to get some sleep on DJ when your seat neighbor eats something from the v-licous menu and the stench reals havoc on your sleep needs?

Is this any different from eating/sleeping on any airline?

Anyway welcome to AFF both of you, first time I can remember 2 1st timers opening a discussion such as...

munitalP

Welcome to AFF from me also.

 

[ANstar]

Yes they are different, DJ is a LCC who is trying to join the ranks of the business traveller, but in my opinion, years off.

To be honest - DJ havent really been a real LCC for the last 5 years compared to what "real" LCC's are like elsewhere in the world.

So how do you combat trying to get some sleep on DJ when your seat neighbor eats something from the v-licous menu and the stench reals havoc on your sleep needs?

Is there anything on the V-licoious menu that smells that bad????

 

[UP4014]

To be honest - DJ havent really been a real LCC for the last 5 years compared to what "real" LCC's are like elsewhere in the world.

I just looked at booking some Syd Mel fares for Easter, by the time I added luggage to DJ's fare it was more than QF and I still wouldn't get any food/drink. Needless to say QF gets the business.

So while DJ fares are not LCC, the overall service still is.

 

[ANstar]

So while DJ fares are not LCC, the overall service still is.

United/ American etc all charge for bags and food on short haul - would you consider them LCC's too?


On the other side, easyjet/ryanair LCC's - do they offer Frequent flyer programs or lounges???

to be honest, DJ have not been a LCC for a while. Generally a LCC will NOT have lounges, frequent flyer programs, interline agreements etc.

 

[markis10]

to be honest, DJ have not been a LCC for a while. Generally a LCC will NOT have lounges, frequent flyer programs, interline agreements etc.

The definition of a LCC is becoming blurred, after all JQ have all of the above if you include their membership of QFF.

 

[Major]

Personally I think the only LCC we have in this country is Tiger.

 

[UP4014]

United/ American etc all charge for bags and food on short haul - would you consider them LCC's too?


On the other side, easyjet/ryanair LCC's - do they offer Frequent flyer programs or lounges???

to be honest, DJ have not been a LCC for a while. Generally a LCC will NOT have lounges, frequent flyer programs, interline agreements etc.

Interesting, travelled AA recently short haul and not charged for luggage, you must really buy the cheap tickets. :mrgreen:

Been plenty of times in recent years on UA and not charged there either.

So no, do not consider them LCC as they certainly don't charge me for a bag.

Matt

 

[AaronBradford]

I just looked at booking some Syd Mel fares for Easter, by the time I added luggage to DJ's fare it was more than QF and I still wouldn't get any food/drink. Needless to say QF gets the business.

So while DJ fares are not LCC, the overall service still is.

If you book at the right times you'll get cheap flights. And I find that the service on DJ is way way way beyond anything I've ever experienced on QF. Reminds me of the Herb Kelleher quote: "We're in the service business, and it's incidental that we fly airplanes."

 

[UP4014]

If you book at the right times you'll get cheap flights. And I find that the service on DJ is way way way beyond anything I've ever experienced on QF. Reminds me of the Herb Kelleher quote: "We're in the service business, and it's incidental that we fly airplanes."

Herb, Gordon and others, all have great quotes as below.
Great Aviation Quotes: Airline Business

Here is a quote from BAM1748: The right time to fly is when I want to fly, not when the airline might schedule a cheap ticket.:mrgreen:

Matt

 

[AaronBradford]

Herb, Gordon and others, all have great quotes as below.
Great Aviation Quotes: Airline Business

Here is a quote from BAM1748: The right time to fly is when I want to fly, not when the airline might schedule a cheap ticket.:mrgreen:

Matt

Hahah, too true. Unfortunately not always possible

 

[JohnK]

If you book at the right times you'll get cheap flights.

Do tell! When is the right time?

If I travel SYD-BNE on a Sunday night and return BNE-SYD on a Friday night then QF is cheaper for 46 weeks of the year. The only time DJ is cheaper is during some school holidays and even then the difference is marginal most times.

So I get the majority of my QF flights at $75 each way and at the same times DJs flights are $79 each way? Why would I even contemplate flying DJ at those prices when we have not yet included luggage, status, food, drink etc? Oh and when they do have a $55 special the 3 early flights Friday morning BNE-SYD are the only ones with the special. So I should take a sick day/annual leave day to save $20.

The right time to fly is when I want to fly, not when the airline might schedule a cheap ticket.:mrgreen:

Exactly.

Now if I was commuting SYD-MEL it may well be a different story but I am commuting SYD-BNE and QF have the cheaper airfares and better schedules. As for FF points, well we have already been there with that discussion. As always to each their own....

 

[The Rok]

God I love these two

Air transport is just a glorified bus operation.

— Michael O'Leary, Ryanair CEO, quoted in BusinessWeek Online, 12 September 2002​

​

The unions need to be taken on. British Airways is massively over-staffed and has got to get its costs down. . . . The problem for [chief executive] Willie Walsh is that the board of BA has no spine, no balls and no vision.
— Michael O’Leary, Ryanair CEO, The Telegraph newspaper, 24 February 2010.
I know a lot of FF hate him, but I think he is a legend! I am booked on a flight from LHR - DUB in April when I go home for $0 + taxes.... You don't get that in Australia! Thanks Mick!

 

[AaronBradford]

If I travel SYD-BNE on a Sunday night and return BNE-SYD on a Friday night then QF is cheaper for 46 weeks of the year. The only time DJ is cheaper is during some school holidays and even then the difference is marginal most times.

So I get the majority of my QF flights at $75 each way and at the same times DJs flights are $79 each way? Why would I even contemplate flying DJ at those prices when we have not yet included luggage, status, food, drink etc? Oh and when they do have a $55 special the 3 early flights Friday morning BNE-SYD are the only ones with the special. So I should take a sick day/annual leave day to save $20.

Not suggesting you take leave to save $20 at all ... I don't know the ins and outs like other people here do - that's what I'm here to learn.

If you book well in advance and pay attention to the happy hour fares you can save quite a bit. Maybe I'm not really qualified to comment on that particular area as I'm more of a leisure flyer than a business flyer at present, and booking well in advance is not always available to you ...

Also, it's not only just the three early flights that have that special. I have seen flights throughout the day for $55, including evenings. However, I guess they get snapped up pretty quickly and it's not always available.

And if DJ is a little bit more, personally I don't mind paying to get away from the stale QF staff.