Virgin - Disappointing service...

[flyer999]

I did a couple of sectors to non QF ports last week and one flight was great - the other forgettable (both J class). Most of my colleagues have already returned to Qantas. One quit this week after being put through to the VA Asian call centre.

 

[Lowjhg]

What I still don't get is, they have passed through the BP check/scan, thus being conferred 'boarded' status. Now, how the heck does the gate agent know he hasn't actually physically stepped into the plane and the bags are supposed to be offloaded?

 

[toowongman]

I did a couple of sectors to non QF ports last week and one flight was great - the other forgettable (both J class). Most of my colleagues have already returned to Qantas. One quit this week after being put through to the VA Asian call centre.

If anyone from QF is reading this, how about status matching VA WPs? We'd like to fly QF more but don't want to start at the bottom.

 

[JohnK]

Hmm, had a similarly (well, laterally) poor experience flying LAX-SYD last week.

That is terrible service. And not just from one staff member.

They should go out of their way when they realise someone requires some extra assistance.

Mum encountered a few people who went our of their way to assist her in her recent nightmare trip. And they were not even obliged to help. Trying to get flights organised in Rome although that took a little longer it was a good outcome in the end. Moving her from upper deck to lower deck on 2 separate TG flights. Organising wheelchair in BKK taking her from arrival gate to lounge and then back to departing gate.

 

[jetlagger]

I am possibly going against the 'grain of the thread" here though my limited experiences with VA domestic & international has been quite reasonable.. on a scale 7/10.
IME compared to QF, I would rate VA more consistent for ground & inflight service.
The food & rare snooty staff could be slightly improved though..
Just my 2c..

 

[marki]

My Two Bob

While reading the news recently in the business section of the Australian Newspaper under "Virgin in Shock earnings nosedive" JB says "people don't want to spend"

This is wrong! This statement was conteracted on the 6th of August. "those people" (meaning me) wanted to spend money and Virgin Australia did not want to take any money despite me waving a credit card.

VA says no to (my)cash despite 110 Million in losses.

This all happened at the ticket section of Melbourne airport on the 6th of August.

My advice regarding how to make money in an airline business is simple. It would seem logical and prudent to take my cash and seat me in an empty business seat. In relation to not being able to upgrade using a credit card on departure from Melbourne to Perth, blind Freddy would have seen that business seats were mostly empty on my flight. This issue was compounded by a global system outage later that day. Delayed flights and lost luggage.

My previous on departure upgrades requests with VA have gone thru. Qantas are always happy to take my cash in the same situation.

I am disappointed because my status credits won't be contributing to retaining status. I have cancelled further flights with VA.

Also
In relation to not being able to upgrade using a CC on departure from Melbourne to Perth. Despite business class being relatively empty. And despite Mr JB saying people are not interested in purchasing airfares (article below See Extract)

Quote,

Profit down as economy clips Virgin’s wings

PUBLISHED: 05 Aug 2013 09:58:00 | UPDATED: 06 Aug 2013 10:19:55

Mr Borghetti said the months of April, May and June had been “very weak” for Virgin. “Leisure in particular needed a lot of stimulating to get people to put their hands in their pockets,” he said. “That is a consequence of weak economic conditions. People don’t want to spend.”

Unquote.

Yes I do want to spend!

VA are not wanting any cash. I feel that you(VA) have used gloves to proverbially slap a person in the face. VA cannot afford to do this it makes no profit.

 

[Must...Fly!]

It certainly seems as though Borghetti was referring to leisure market spend.

However your point is valid, although this is one instance of failure, and you mention you have done this before without problem?

May I ask why you do not purchase business at the time of booking?

 

[marki]

It certainly seems as though Borghetti was referring to leisure market spend.

However your point is valid, although this is one instance of failure, and you mention you have done this before without problem?

May I ask why you do not purchase business at the time of booking?

It's complicated but basically that's the only time when we can decide to do such things. Access to the booking is restricted by our host companies travel agency. There are various reasons for that.

However ultimately there is choice, and therefore at these times I can ditch VA for more aligned / convenient services on QF metal. They are more consistent in the delivery of a standard which my in my opinion is acceptable all round.

 

[Jama]

While reading the news recently in the business section of the Australian Newspaper under "Virgin in Shock earnings nosedive" JB says "people don't want to spend"

i think it has more to do with the significant prices rises and the average VA experience. First few months of platinum introduction were great. It's been all down hill since

 

[Deleted member 29185]

First few months of platinum introduction were great. It's been all down hill since

+1 to that.

It's also not just the leisure market which hasn't appreciated the changes. I was happy where we were three years ago and I've no doubt there are many other small business flyers just like me.

 

[Hvr]

What I still don't get is, they have passed through the BP check/scan, thus being conferred 'boarded' status. Now, how the heck does the gate agent know he hasn't actually physically stepped into the plane and the bags are supposed to be offloaded?

Because the FAs actually count the numbers of passenger on board to ensure there is the correct number on board. If the numbers don't match then the plane doesn't take off until the discrepancy is rectified.

 

[V-332]

FAs dont count passengers unless requested by ground staff.

 

[N860CR]

Really...? Must be a strange virgin thing