Virgin Business Class late 2020

[Maccaj73]

Restaurants are open everywhere!! Qantas is also serving hot meals... I’m sorry but there’s clearly other issues masquerading as COVID safety....

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

We must all realize that VA under new ownership of Bain, will have things that have changed.
As Maccaj73 notes above, its masquerading as Covid19 prevention, but I am sure that in a 40% way, Bain is saving a lot of money doing things differently.
Its very convenient, so to speak, that Covid came along, and PS just had to choose the "right" time to put VA into VA, very "convenient".
They have already made the decision to close some lounges, and even when the other lounges re open, I am not sure if the level of service we had, will be same as after they re open.
Also, will the BNE VA "pop up"/impromptu lounge at the int terminal ever re open.
Will the No 1 lounge at SYD T1 and MEL T2 ever re open.
Yes, VA has come out of VA, and is not VA3, service on board wise, I would say would have to drop for them to make money.
Maybe JB that long ago, just got too ambitious with VA.

 

[oz_mark]

Restaurants are open everywhere!! Qantas is also serving hot meals... I’m sorry but there’s clearly other issues masquerading as COVID safety....

We must all realize that VA under new ownership of Bain, will have things that have changed.
As Maccaj73 notes above, its masquerading as Covid19 prevention, but I am sure that in a 40% way, Bain is saving a lot of money doing things differently.
Its very convenient, so to speak, that Covid came along, and PS just had to choose the "right" time to put VA into VA, very "convenient".

Virgin have specifically stated they will be launching the new Business offering early in 2021.

In the meantime they have reduced their Business fares to reflect the offering is not what it was. You can get trans-con business for less than $1,000 on some days.

 

[jakeseven7]

Restaurants are open everywhere!! Qantas is also serving hot meals... I’m sorry but there’s clearly other issues masquerading as COVID safety....

Well all airlines are about to be whacked again by the state governments with WA banning NSW and QLD more than likely to follow suit.

Suspect that means continuing low brow snack box meals in Bain/VA2 J and no spirits in QF J!

 

[stm1sydney]

If I had the choice, I'd fly VA J, buy myself a nice meal on the ground, and a bottle of Lagavulin to enjoy later, and still be ahead $850 (cf QF)!

 

[ferntree]

If I had the choice, I'd fly VA J, buy myself a nice meal on the ground, and a bottle of Lagavulin to enjoy later, and still be ahead $850 (cf QF)!

Absolutely. Difference in J fare HBA-BNE (v Qantas) is generally $500 - $600. ($1000+ return) My expectations are a comfortable seat, quiet cabin, extra hand luggage, priority check in and boarding, first off plane.

For $1,000+ I'm more than happy to make do with a snack box!

 

[cqtiger]

Just flew to Darwin J flight on virgin and back J on Qantas and apart from the hot meal on Qantas, virgin killed it. Staff so friendly and seats more comfortable and I prefer the better separation from economy on virgin as I had 3 kids behind me on Qantas. At least have a rope separation oh and there were only 8 movies to choose from on Qantas compared with all the features on virgin.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Just flew to Darwin J flight on virgin and back J on Qantas and apart from the hot meal on Qantas, virgin killed it. Staff so friendly and seats more comfortable and I prefer the better separation from economy on virgin as I had 3 kids behind me on Qantas. At least have a rope separation oh and there were only 8 movies to choose from on Qantas compared with all the features on virgin.

Were there sprits on either?

 

[cqtiger]

Were there sprits on either?

Not that I saw but both had beer and wine juices and coffee

 

[sudoer]

At least have a rope separation oh and there were only 8 movies to choose from on Qantas

Was that using the IFE screen or inflight streaming? I wasn't aware Qantas had turned IFE back on

 

[cqtiger]

just inflight streaming on phone or tablet in both but QANTAS choice was very limited

 

[MooTime]

Just flew to Darwin J flight on virgin and back J on Qantas and apart from the hot meal on Qantas, virgin killed it. Staff so friendly and seats more comfortable and I prefer the better separation from economy on virgin as I had 3 kids behind me on Qantas. At least have a rope separation oh and there were only 8 movies to choose from on Qantas compared with all the features on virgin.

I too much prefer J seperation. Sat just behind Qan J 2 weeks ago & no wall, rope nothing, 3 ppl from Y went to J toilets, and just 55min trip Mel to hbt, shocking.
Virgin flight crew much better, happier & friendlier imo, next post here will be refuting this & how ace Qan is, no doubt.

Off to per in J next week, pity A330 Gonski.

 

[TheInsider]

just inflight streaming on phone or tablet in both but QANTAS choice was very limited

I'm pretty sure QF hasn't turned on Q streaming at all yet.

 

[cqtiger]

I'm pretty sure QF hasn't turned on Q streaming at all yet.

That could be true. The 8 movies came up but I never bothered watching any to see if it streamed. The wifi for internet use worked perfectly though.

 

[Bagpuss]

I’ve just flown Perth > Broome return and my first business class flight in just over a year.
I thought the snack box was totally fine and see no issues with it long term on flights of approx 2 hours to be honest. Everyone ate it on both flights.
On the flight up they had the choice of 6 wines and I think there was the same choices on the way back. No sparkling offered and beer available though didn’t have it.
Speaking to the FA on the way back and the FA said the hot meals have to come back.
Service on both flights were of high standard and customer focused.

 

[jakeseven7]

I’ve just flown Perth > Broome return and my first business class flight in just over a year.
I thought the snack box was totally fine and see no issues with it long term on flights of approx 2 hours to be honest. Everyone ate it on both flights.
On the flight up they had the choice of 6 wines and I think there was the same choices on the way back. No sparkling offered and beer available though didn’t have it.
Speaking to the FA on the way back and the FA said the hot meals have to come back.
Service on both flights were of high standard and customer focused.

Well I don’t really blame them for continuing to service cold snack boxes, they are losing money hand over fist still with NSW closed again. Honestly makes commercial sense (forgetting the CX part of things).

 

[aaronm]

Had the snack box on LST-MEL earlier this week, was a fine if slightly odd collection of items. Did seem like four “complimentary snack” items of old all grouped together.
Not sure I’d be too keen on this approach long-term, though given VA is going for a value-focused product perhaps something like sandwich+chips+muffin would work (aka the Pret model, as others have noted). I’ll add that the service was excellent, quite happy with the “covid business” experience overall.

 

[MooTime]

Had the snack box on LST-MEL earlier this week, was a fine if slightly odd collection of items. Did seem like four “complimentary snack” items of old all grouped together.
Not sure I’d be too keen on this approach long-term, though given VA is going for a value-focused product perhaps something like sandwich+chips+muffin would work (aka the Pret model, as others have noted). I’ll add that the service was excellent, quite happy with the “covid business” experience overall.

Had same snack box on Nye year's Day Mel-Ool. Was told Virgin in negotiations with food suppliers & as Virgin have stated they'll launch there biz model in January so all be clear soon enough.

Aslong at they keep the Y out of J bathroom as they always have, with that all powerful magnet rope! I'm happy.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Business Class, Perth to Melbourne on New Year's Day. Wanted to try the whole (temporary) snack box concept. Not very impressive for a 3.5 hour flight departing at 7am & no lounge open. The coffee cup of milk was an interesting way to serve with muesli! I feel like one more small item, or even just a second portion of biscuits, would've made a difference.

Drinks was whatever you wanted, including coffee and tea. Beer and wine was available too, which I unsurprisingly passed on...

 

[AIRwin]

View attachment 237125

What was most interesting is the IFE (optical illusion of your head over your knee)...