Virgin business class Bali flights rip-off

[buddha_eye]

A few weeks ago I had the unpleasant experience of flying Virgin J from Bali to Melbourne. For AUD$1500...
- flight running 2 hours late with not a single communication from VA; the departures board was still showing as "on time" when we eventually took off 3 hours after schedule
- no lounge access in DPS (even JQ give you this)
- no blanket, pillow, or amenities; the FA made some vague comment about them being removed BECAUSE OF COVID (...sigh)
- had to brush crumbs off the seat before sitting down, indicating the planes are not being cleaned between flights (despite the promise of "enhanced" post COVID hygiene)
- no pre-departure drink offered
- no spirits offered
- room temperature beer (I kid you not) - this is across all VA flights i have taken in the last 12 months
- no snacks offered at all; when I asked to purchase some to go with my drink I was told "oh we have them what do you want?"
- the FA came around to take dinner orders saying "the meal will be served then then it's lights out folks"
- I asked if I could have my meal later as I'd just eaten in the lounge (at my onw expense); the FA said no problem, just give her 30 minutes notice to heat it up
- when I asked later for my dinner was abruptly told it had "gone cold", which was curious because I hadn't asked for it to be heated up' given the atrocious service I didn't pursue the matter
- she did offer me a crew chicken sandwich; the bread was tale (I'm not making this up)
- the "gourmet" three course meal dessert was a tiny red foil wrapped heart chocolate

I flew this VA route numerous times in J pre-COVID and I'm now wondering if it was actually a different airline; amenities, lounge access, free flowing drinks and a sense of bonhomie and generosity. Not now.

I left a scathing review on Tripadvisor, noting when I did that the six reviews within the last 6 months of VA service on this route uniformly gave one star. Passengers were talking among ourselves about the disappointing experience, the FA actually said they had been sending off all the negative feedback to management but "they aren't listening".

 

[TMP]

Your experience sounds very disappointing indeed. Some of what you've listed is well-known (e.g. no lounge access in DPS) but some is not great at all (poor gate communication, no PDB, no spirits, warm beer etc.). My J flight from DPS-MEL back in 2018 would be probably my worst VA experience too. Catering was awful (your crew meal chicken sandwich with stale bread was what we were served as the meal in J!). But nowhere near as disappointing as you describe. DPS is known as a sub-par departure port. I'd encourage you to lodge your complaint direct with VA. When I did, I received 10k points compensation.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Tks for posting buddha - I had contemplated VA for Sep trip but that now off the table - your report makes JQ J sound like 5* top tier experience

 

[buddha_eye]

Tks for posting buddha - I had contemplated VA for Sep trip but that now off the table - your report makes JQ J sound like 5* top tier experience

JQ business and Scoot Biz both come out miles in front of this overpriced and underwhelming experience. Hopefully if revenue falls they might take some notice. Have a look at all the other reviews on Tripadvisor. Ill be doin Batik Air for my next trip, even going over in Y with them was far superior to the flight back.

 

[oz_mark]

I'm now wondering if it was actually a different airline;

It is a different airline.

 

[Mattg]

This is not the first time I've heard similar feedback recently about Virgin's business class service from Bali to Australia. I won't be rushing out to book a ticket...

 

[jase05]

I’ve done the flights from Australia to Bali quite a few times pre Covid and it was fine but we prefer not to return to Australia with them as the J seats aren’t great for overnight flights.
Have ADL-DPS booked in July so will be interesting to see what they are like but travelling with a large group on the way over and the price was under $1k each so worth it. Flying GA in J CGK-MEL on the way back which I know will be miles better from previous experience

 

[Milefest]

VAs pricing varies quite a lot depending on date of travel/route but in many situations I've found SQ PE very competitive if you don't mind the hop. It's usually only a few hundred more but you get intl lounge acccess (with status), better catering (book the cook), better service and a more comfortable aircraft.

 

[jakeseven7]

It is a different airline.

Exactly. VA1 is lonnnngg gone.

 

[TMP]

I’ve done the flights from Australia to Bali quite a few times pre Covid and it was fine but we prefer not to return to Australia with them as the J seats aren’t great for overnight flights.

Spot on. Pre-Covid experience flying over from MEL-DPS was absolutely delightful. Sadly, not the same on the return given seats for overnight and the catering.

 

[MooTime]

A few weeks ago I had the unpleasant experience of flying Virgin J from Bali to Melbourne. For AUD$1500...
- flight running 2 hours late with not a single communication from VA; the departures board was still showing as "on time" when we eventually took off 3 hours after schedule
- no lounge access in DPS (even JQ give you this)
- no blanket, pillow, or amenities; the FA made some vague comment about them being removed BECAUSE OF COVID (...sigh)
- had to brush crumbs off the seat before sitting down, indicating the planes are not being cleaned between flights (despite the promise of "enhanced" post COVID hygiene)
- no pre-departure drink offered
- no spirits offered
- room temperature beer (I kid you not) - this is across all VA flights i have taken in the last 12 months
- no snacks offered at all; when I asked to purchase some to go with my drink I was told "oh we have them what do you want?"
- the FA came around to take dinner orders saying "the meal will be served then then it's lights out folks"
- I asked if I could have my meal later as I'd just eaten in the lounge (at my onw expense); the FA said no problem, just give her 30 minutes notice to heat it up
- when I asked later for my dinner was abruptly told it had "gone cold", which was curious because I hadn't asked for it to be heated up' given the atrocious service I didn't pursue the matter
- she did offer me a crew chicken sandwich; the bread was tale (I'm not making this up)
- the "gourmet" three course meal dessert was a tiny red foil wrapped heart chocolate

I flew this VA route numerous times in J pre-COVID and I'm now wondering if it was actually a different airline; amenities, lounge access, free flowing drinks and a sense of bonhomie and generosity. Not now.

I left a scathing review on Tripadvisor, noting when I did that the six reviews within the last 6 months of VA service on this route uniformly gave one star. Passengers were talking among ourselves about the disappointing experience, the FA actually said they had been sending off all the negative feedback to management but "they aren't listening".

Have to love the few recent 'newbie' popping up bagging VA.

Bali, who goes there, what a hole, the whole world to visit...... Bali, I'll never get it.

 

[jase05]

Have to love the few recent 'newbie' popping up bagging VA.

Bali, who goes there, what a hole, the whole world to visit...... Bali, I'll never get it.

If service isn’t up to scratch they deserve a whack.
As for Bali, we love it especially with a group of friends. Most of our friends don’t travel too far so it’s nice to get away with them for a week or so.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Bali, who goes there, what a hole, the whole world to visit...... Bali, I'll never get it.

We do - every year - most beautiful people
in the world - and most of them possess nothing - we try to help where we can - we stay in the most fabulous hotel on border Legian/Seminyak - we go to a fabulous restaurant every night - we walk for >1hr on beautiful hard sand every morning - we lay around a beautiful pool for hours or walk 20mtrs to the beach - and all that at such a reasonable cost - and all above providing employment opportunities for these beautiful people

Maybe YOU need a lesson in holiday planning - don’t forget YOU may not be the worlds greatest expert on what others like

 

[clifford]

I have a UA award ticket in J to HKT via DPS (VA/SQ) for later this year, so it will be interesting to see how VA performs. I've found their business class in Australia to be OK, but I'm not expecting too much.

UA awards from Australia with a VA leg are cheaper than using another carrier, so one has to expect something less than perfection.

 

[MooTime]

We do - every year - most beautiful people
in the world - and most of them possess nothing - we try to help where we can - we stay in the most fabulous hotel on border Legian/Seminyak - we go to a fabulous restaurant every night - we walk for >1hr in beautiful hard sand every morning - we lay around a beautiful pool for hours or walk 20mtrs to the beach - and all that at such a reasonable cost

Maybe YOU need a lesson in holiday planning - don’t forget YOU may not be the worlds greatest expert on what others like

Don't remember claiming I'm greatest expert, I'll check my post.

Most beautiful people... Few Pacific islands I'd say may rival this claim.

Guess Bali only place in the world that has most fabulous hotel & fabulous restaurants. Can walk an hour on beaut sand, close to beach and a pool, wow heaven on earth!

And the phrase goes Poor Aussie bogans preteding to be rich.

 

[jase05]

I have a UA award ticket in J to HKT via DPS (VA/SQ) for later this year, so it will be interesting to see how VA performs. I've found their business class in Australia to be OK, but I'm not expecting too much.

UA awards from Australia with a VA leg are cheaper than using another carrier, so one has to expect something less than perfection.

Ex Australia we find it fine and ex ADL suits us this time. Can work most of the day and head over to the terminal. Get to use the VA lounge and we get into Bali at not a bad time.
No lounge access and overnight flight means that VA is a no go for the return trip though

 

[Cruiser Elite]

And the phrase goes Poor Aussie bogans preteding to be rich.

Oh FFS - we should catch up some time and compare notes - name the time and place please

 

[jase05]

And the phrase goes Poor Aussie bogans preteding to be rich.

There are bogans everywhere.
My wife and I live very, very comfortably and yet we still love Bali.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Funny Mooey because you don’t like meeting bogans?

 

[twinaisle]

A few weeks ago I had the unpleasant experience of flying Virgin J from Bali to Melbourne. For AUD$1500...
- flight running 2 hours late with not a single communication from VA; the departures board was still showing as "on time" when we eventually took off 3 hours after schedule
- no lounge access in DPS (even JQ give you this)
- no blanket, pillow, or amenities; the FA made some vague comment about them being removed BECAUSE OF COVID (...sigh)
- had to brush crumbs off the seat before sitting down, indicating the planes are not being cleaned between flights (despite the promise of "enhanced" post COVID hygiene)
- no pre-departure drink offered
- no spirits offered
- room temperature beer (I kid you not) - this is across all VA flights i have taken in the last 12 months
- no snacks offered at all; when I asked to purchase some to go with my drink I was told "oh we have them what do you want?"
- the FA came around to take dinner orders saying "the meal will be served then then it's lights out folks"
- I asked if I could have my meal later as I'd just eaten in the lounge (at my onw expense); the FA said no problem, just give her 30 minutes notice to heat it up
- when I asked later for my dinner was abruptly told it had "gone cold", which was curious because I hadn't asked for it to be heated up' given the atrocious service I didn't pursue the matter
- she did offer me a crew chicken sandwich; the bread was tale (I'm not making this up)
- the "gourmet" three course meal dessert was a tiny red foil wrapped heart chocolate

I flew this VA route numerous times in J pre-COVID and I'm now wondering if it was actually a different airline; amenities, lounge access, free flowing drinks and a sense of bonhomie and generosity. Not now.

I left a scathing review on Tripadvisor, noting when I did that the six reviews within the last 6 months of VA service on this route uniformly gave one star. Passengers were talking among ourselves about the disappointing experience, the FA actually said they had been sending off all the negative feedback to management but "they aren't listening".

VA is about not offering and for the guest asking. Did you ask for spirits? Did you ask for snacks?

Most flights ex DPS are red eye flights so the lights generally go out after the meal is served like 9/10 other airlines I've taken. No one keeps the lights on longer than necessary on a late evening departure.

So we get fed stale sandwiches, what's your point? It was nice enough to have even been offered crew food.

We have cleaners boarding the aircraft in DPS to clean so they do get cleaned.

I've done multiple flights ex DPS to Melbourne and never have I seen a red chocolate heart been loaded on the trays out of Bali or even out of Australia. They don't even see the day of light on these flights as there's a dessert on the tray.

Feel free to send me a DM of the flight details as I want to see what kind of crew were operating this service.