Well - tried it once, won't bother again

[straitman]

I must be weird because I find domestic Business on Virgin Australia and Qantas pretty much the same ... Different, but much the same.

Granted some flights stand out due to outstanding crew but such crew pop up now and then on both airlines

Same for me.

I plan to send a link to this thread to the VA rep on the forum.

 

[Denali]

Im going to be picky but unless you are Justin Beiber or some other dude'tte that needs a clip around the ears, why the need to be "incognito"?

Maybe you were giving off weird vibes unintentionally, you wouldn't be the first, especially as you set the bar low it seems your expectations were met. I tend to give back off vibes while my husband ends up with all the extra smiles and snacks.

 

[Ikara]

Im going to be picky but unless you are Justin Beiber or some other dude'tte that needs a clip around the ears, why the need to be "incognito"?

I have no idea, but my guess would be a job interview??????

 

[samh004]

I assumed the op was incognito to test the product, see how they compare status to non-status in a premium cabin. If so, seems they do pretty poorly

 

[eastwest101]

I also would be interested to hear what happened on VA1351 and if an economy class passenger was moved to business class and why, most here have found VA are usually pretty good at keeping self-upgraders out of the business cabin, but there may have been a reasonable reason for this to happen. I can't think of one myself, but I am sure that others here would have seen some specific examples that may be relevant.

 

[Denali]

I assumed the op was incognito to test the product, see how they compare status to non-status in a premium cabin. ....

Must be me, I don't see the point.

Maybe the passenger was moved due to bad BO? Ive seen that happen before but I haven't considered testing it by running a City to Surf prior to boarding.

 

[medhead]

I've had the experience once on a lightly loaded (both cabins) QF service ADL-MEL. Was asked if I would like to moved (from 4D) on taxi, after the safety demo. Ended up in 1D. I was offered menu choices last etc... so I was below everyone else in the cabin, but I guess the pick of the litter in Y. Happened to have just reached P1!

Of course, my comments were related to Virgin, where P1 means not much.

 

[samh004]

Of course, my comments were related to Virgin, where P1 means not much.

I do know where I am was just pointing out that they probably also know how to look after high-level FFers

 

[medhead]

I do know where I am was just pointing out that they probably also know how to look after high-level FFers

Like I said. I get nothing special on VA. In fact those on flexi fares get better treatment, addressed by name. I'm lucky to get a 'sir'. I'm surprised if there is any special status related treatment on VA. Most likely to happen if they know the pax.

 

[strance]

I was so excited when VA J first came out. After status match and first few years of flying was seriously considering not chasing QF SC's to keep WP with both .... i think it was all new and exciting for the cabin crew and that made for an often extraordinary experience. The types of flights you walk off feeling a million dollars (think QF J prior to officious RSA enforcement). Unfortunately the excitement gradually wore off and the front galley often became the FA's hideaway, complete with their very own DND button (switch for J bathroom 'occupied' light). As a 1A traveler who is genuinely interested in observing the operation of the J cabin I was just shocked at the decline in service. 'Spose by american standards, your post and my take are probably harsh and i guess we should be thankful the crew up front aren't jaded to the point where they are plain obnoxious. BTW in terms of CC experience, IMO, WP means FA these days too. They were probably club members getting the greeting! ... oh dear who sounds jaded now

 

[jackthomas]

Not really sure what a solution could be for this, some people just prefer the QF service and thats totally fine.
It sounds that you had some not great crew on the way up, although I can say as a Gold VA member I've always had great service in J class (and economy) but obviously there are better crew than others.

I've not once witnessed anyone be upgraded on the flight from economy to business, nor been told of it happening although Im sure its not completely unheard of. It is however a shame you're not satisfied with the service, and the upgrade to a seat you request as a paid J guest is not acceptable at all. Definitely send VA some feedback with your reservation number, flight number and details and see what they can do!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I expect VA to be the "black sheep" so to speak, in relation to QF being "top chook" ruling the roost for the Aust airline industry.
Eg: for what a person would pay for the VA the lounge annual membership, (food service, quality (VA all day diy sandwich making vs QF somethign a bit more substantial/palatial)).
If I were in your position, I would not expect a lot from VA.
But if I were to fly QF J, I would expect a lot.
Despite VA trying to be the next best thing, they will never win over QF. I still see VA as more of a discount carrier, no matter if they have changed their name from Virgin Blue to Virgin Australia, and even if they see themselves as something more than an LCC.
Maybe I don't make much sense, as per normal, but I still see VA as 2nd, I will still fly VA and will try to keep VA PS, but won't go to try for VA SG.

 

[NFF]

Is service really that much better in J ? It's a lot of money for a more comfortable seat.

 

[vbroucek]

I'm venting and apologise if my POV is different to everyone else here, and I am not interested in being told "give them another go". I'm a once bitten twice shy type of guy and frankly don't care for sloppy service and paying decent dollars for a poor product...

Where do I start?

I needed to visit Darwin on my rotation home lets just say "incognito".

I'm quite well known at the lounges and of course by the other FIFO's in and out of ADL/DRW who in the majority, fly Qantas. So, after watching an episode of Dexter, I said to my wife "hide in plane (pun intended) view - I'll fly up and back on VA".

I used an external booking system to book my flight(s) and being hand luggage only, I raced off two days later for my first of 4 HELL flights over 2 days.

Ok, that's a little unfair as the flights south were better that the ones north, but man oh man have Virgin Australia got a lot to learn.

VA401. Seat allocation 1A
Poor CSM service. VA status PAX recognised in row behind before I was even offered a good morning.
Shabby service, overhead bin filled with luggage (I assume crews), I had to ASK for a coffee, not to mention a pretty poor seat comfort wise.

VA1351. Seat allocation 2A
1A was empty. Before takeoff I asked the CSM if "after takeoff" would it be OK to move to 1A. There was a noisy kid behind me, no drama, that's what kids do, but I might as well get some distance between us right? The CSM berated me quoting load profiles etc quite loud and to a point of embarrassment. I reiterated again that I wanted to move to the empty seat (assuming it stayed empty as the door was still open at that point) AFTER takeoff, but the CSM kept on with the sever NO.

Within 5 minutes of the seatbelt sign being turned off, a passenger from the economy cabin was moved to 1A.

During the flight service I was pretty much ignored except for the compulsory interactions needed and I would chalk that flight up to the defining moment of "never again"

The flights home were much better - CSM spoke to me, but I felt they were only interested in their own upcoming weekend activities and had no "zest" in their service - tired perhaps, too long a day? I don't know, but for an airline who claim to be equally as good as Qantas, have "raised the bar" I think is their latest tag line, they are a long way short of the "ordinary" service on QF.

CRM

Oh, another DYKWIA? Get real mate, you got what you paid for... And don't worry, they will not miss you, but your other choice is rather limited

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Im going to be picky but unless you are Justin Beiber or some other dude'tte that needs a clip around the ears, why the need to be "incognito"?

Is that really any ones business except the OP? It was an explanation as to why the OP found himself on VA, not for anything else. My immediate thought after reading was the OP needed to return to work and didn't want to advertise that (random inspection perhaps) but it's not my business and to be honest, nothing to do with the real point of the post.

Lot's of negativity here against someones experience. It was indeed a disappointing experience for him so why not post it. Here is the current AFF top 5 threads on the VFF board. Do you notice a trend? Here's a hint.....big fail, staying classy, won't bother again, VA fare rip off, no status recognition........

Don't shoot the messenger! Perhaps he's not the only one finding VA difficult to take seriously.

 

[mannej]

Don't shoot the messenger! Perhaps he's not the only one finding VA difficult to take seriously.

JohnK has been saying that for years...

 

[medhead]

Lot's of negativity here against someones experience. It was indeed a disappointing experience for him so why not post it. Here is the current AFF top 5 threads on the VFF board. Do you notice a trend? Here's a hint.....big fail, staying classy, won't bother again, VA fare rip off, no status recognition........

Don't shoot the messenger! Perhaps he's not the only one finding VA difficult to take seriously.

As someone who is in Y most of the time, I find it difficult to accept that it was the flight from hell, when flying in business. VA 401 is a particularly insidious flight being at 6am. But then they usually serve a decent meal. But anyway, I don't have a problem with the OP expressing an opinion. Especially given the cough I cooped for daring to question someone deciding to move themselves from row 26 right into my shadow in 3B, all with cabin crew approval. As such I really hope the OP sends feedback about the on board upgrade. In general, VA can be taken seriously until something like that happens. It clearly demonstrates that the crew are working to undermine the move to a corporate market.

JohnK has been saying that for years...

In fairness, his complaints lack credibility.
"Virgin is a joke because they don't have 2 types of cold meat in the lounge". - What sort of criticism is that? Then there is also that VA does have 2 types of meat most of the time.
"Virgin is a joke because I need a second beer of board". - Ok then. Then there is the fact that I was able to get a second drink during my very next VA flight that qualified for free drinks as did others. There is the fact that the money saved on VA fare make it possible to buy a beer or 2 and still be in front.

 

[mannej]

In fairness, his complaints lack credibility.
"Virgin is a joke because they don't have 2 types of cold meat in the lounge". - What sort of criticism is that? Then there is also that VA does have 2 types of meat most of the time.
"Virgin is a joke because I need a second beer of board". - Ok then. Then there is the fact that I was able to get a second drink during my very next VA flight that qualified for free drinks as did others. There is the fact that the money saved on VA fare make it possible to buy a beer or 2 and still be in front.

Everyone is entitled to judge an airline based on their experiences. To be fair to JohnK, his gripes with VA are more than just the lounges and number of beers served on board. He has had some service recovery issues previously, and I think it is very much a case of first impressions lasting here.

As they say, each to their own, the same equates to the OP.

 

[SimonF]

I feel like there's two sides of opinions about what to expect in va j. I'm always happy with what I receive. Normally cas can and will talk to you for as long as you want and if that's what you consider service then you'll probably get it most times assuming none of the other j passengers beat you. Lounge is fine to me. Seat is normal. Food is getting better. Aside from that what else is there? The ife is a great idea on a tablet but hurts my neck on 2+ hour flights looking down.

 

[medhead]

Everyone is entitled to judge an airline based on their experiences. To be fair to JohnK, his gripes with VA are more than just the lounges and number of beers served on board. He has had some service recovery issues previously, and I think it is very much a case of first impressions lasting here.

As they say, each to their own, the same equates to the OP.

It was one service recovery issue, wasn't it? On the flip side I've had one excellent service recovery experience with VA. VA can get it right, and it lacks credibility to claim the entire airline is a childish joke based on one experience. Other than that the gripes I've seen are about lounge food and the number of beers served. Perfectly happy to accept that the judgement is based on his experiences, but I'll stand by my view that that judgement lacks credibility. Perhaps if the judgement was more considered, my view would be different.