What's your feeling about Virgin Australia?

[greenfish]

I'm happy, and enjoy flying with VA... (BIS Gold too...)

After flying to BNE - AKL return last weekend on QF, I am glad that most of my flying is VA... The QF trip was just... "ordinary"
No exemplary service, so so attitude from the attendants, QF ran out of meals halfway down the plane etc etc

Maybe its because being of a younger generation I can connect better with the youthful atmosphere that VA has.

I can't put a finger on the reason, but I won't be changing my Airline choice any time soon.

T.

Really? I swapped to Virgin for our Xmas trip this year, and won't be making that mistake again. I'm a BIS Platinum on both QF and DJ. Tired old plane, average service, nothing included - certainly no free food and no IFE. The only good news is the plane was quite empty - heaps of room on New Years day. Now the flight over to AKL on the NZ codeshare was pretty good, with decent IFE (movies extra) on a refurbed 767. I'll only fly on the NZ codeshares if booking with Virgin in the future.

My father flew back to NZ on the weekend gone on QF. He was in row 26 (Bronze, with a companion with no QF FF number) - and they'd run out of the non-chicken choice. He won't eat chicken he hasn't cooked himself (fussy old bu...) and explained this to the FA. She said don't worry, we won't let you go hungry - and returned subsequently with a business class meal. Now that's service!

 

[medhead]

Really? I swapped to Virgin for our Xmas trip this year, and won't be making that mistake again. I'm a BIS Platinum on both QF and DJ. Tired old plane, average service, nothing included - certainly no free food and no IFE.

it sounds like you were surprised by what you found on board. In which case, I have to ask how you can be a BIS DJ Platinum apparently with only limited experience flying with DJ?


Sent from the Throne

 

[greenfish]

it sounds like you were surprised by what you found on board. In which case, I have to ask how you can be a BIS DJ Platinum apparently with only limited experience flying with DJ?


Sent from the Throne

I was surprised - I usually fly DJ domestically, and had hoped that their trans-tasman fliight would at least be the equal of their domestic product, but instead it was worse. The plane was dated inside, with no sign of any refit, no live2air. Of course, in the haphazard world of the DJ complimentary service, I didn't have high expectations, but don't recall being offered anything at all apart from purchases from the menu.

When flying in Oz, there isn't so much choice, but trans-tasman, there really isn't a worse product than DJ. Give me NZ, EK, QF, LA - all better. Also, when flying with the kids, IFE counts for a lot. So as I said previously, I won't make the mistake of DJ trans-tasman again (unless on an NZ codeshare).

As for whether I'm a BIS DJ Platinum - well I've earned over 900 points since my status match, so that's pretty BIS, all domestic. 5 months to go until my anniversary date, about 8 forward bookings at present. No forward bookings on QF, though I flew QF on Monday. Expect to easily crack 1500 SCs on DJ. I'll be in Adelaide a bit after Easter, am happy for you to have a look at my velocity account if you're really concerned .

 

[medhead]

. I'll be in Adelaide a bit after Easter, am happy for you to have a look at my velocity account if you're really concerned .

Not all concerned, more as I had expected the aircraft to be the same as domestic. Thanks for clearing that up.


Sent from the Throne

 

[greenfish]

Not all concerned, more as I had expected the aircraft to be the same as domestic. Thanks for clearing that up.


Sent from the Throne

I think I was probably a bit jaded too when assessing the DJ flight, as the contrast with the NZ flight was so marked. There was nothing wrong with the flight, I just realised that it could have been so much better if I'd just selected the NZ codeshare in both directions.

 

[greenfish]

When flying in Oz, there isn't so much choice, but trans-tasman, there really isn't a worse product than DJ. Give me NZ, EK, QF, LA - all better. Also, when flying with the kids, IFE counts for a lot. So as I said previously, I won't make the mistake of DJ trans-tasman again (unless on an NZ codeshare).

Sorry, I forgot about JQ. So DJ is not the worst, trans-tasman.

 

[Mogul]

I have basically only flown VA for the 6 years or so with the very occasional flight on Jetstar or Qantas to compare.

The recent "enhancements" will both have a large impact on my decision on who I will be flying with in the future.

VA seem now seem hell bent on emulating Qantas and being their twin sister. VA need to be different from Qantas otherwise we the public will end up with 2 very ordinary airlines rather than having 2 very good airlines depending on what preferences your prefer to have.

VA appear to have forgotton about their Gold members and seems to be all about Platnium members at the moment. If they are carefull they will alienate this group (gold members) of traveller which is worth a lot $$$$$ to them.

VA's price is just about indentical to Qantas's but still have the plus plus components which make them more expensive.

Sure VA's staff may on average be more friendly, etc but lets keep it in perspective my overall decision isn't made on whether or not I get a smile or a welcome aboard Mr Mogul on each flight.

 

[notzac]

In thinking about it, I'm somewhere between satisfied and happy - but not overjoyed or rapturous. They do a good job of getting me where I want to go, I like the lounges, I like the partners (specifically EY and NZ), I love the long haul product ... however I'm definitely no fan of the multiple websites and booking engines; my other big complaint is the fares (specifically how the long haul discount premium fare conditions have changed .. used to be refundable with penalty, now not refundable at all).

I could get nitpicky and complain about plenty of other stuff, but it's small fry and has been written before. The things I'd most like to see at the moment: an announcement that the NZ lounges at BNE/SYD/MEL are to be taken over by VA and the following logo turn up on my Platinum card:

 

[Fantic125]

I'm happy they're there and they offer a reasonable alternative to QF.
I did the status match last year (QF WP), but haven't used any of the V product simply because it doesn't meet my needs for domestic to int travel.
If most of my travel was dom, then I would most probably be happy.
But then, I do have low expectations (to avoid disappointment)

 

[serfty]

None of the options are adequate for me to select any.

However, the best part for me is with DJ's alliance with AirNZ and my Gold Elite card.

I have already re-qualified for 2103; and with travel next month it's a minimum of AirNZ Gold until [-]2105[/-] 2015 - these reciprocal bennies sourced from T-T will keep me in good stead.

 

[greenfish]

None of the options are adequate for me to select any.

However, the best part for me is with DJ's alliance with AirNZ and my Gold Elite card.

I have already re-qualified for 2103; and with travel next month it's a minimum of AirNZ Gold until 2105 - these reciprocal bennies sourced from T-T will keep me in good stead.

Crikey, I knew that NZ allows Gold Elites to bank SCs, but how many did you earn to bank 93 years of status? Are you sure you'll be able to use 93 years of lounge access?

 

[serfty]

Crikey, I knew that NZ allows Gold Elites to bank SCs, but how many did you earn to bank 93 years of status? Are you sure you'll be able to use 93 years of lounge access?

Mate - sometime I feel like I'm 93 years old simply waking up.

I have fixed the post.

FWIW, I'm GE now and have earned GE for next year, I be able to 'bank' another year by the end of April -giving me *G until at least 2015.

Due to recently announced changes to Upgrades I will no longer be persuing *E after that.

 

[nlagalle]

None of the options are adequate for me to select any.

However, the best part for me is with DJ's alliance with AirNZ and my Gold Elite card.

I have already re-qualified for 2103; and with travel next month it's a minimum of AirNZ Gold until [-]2105[/-] 2015 - these reciprocal bennies sourced from T-T will keep me in good stead.

Mate - sometime I feel93 years old simply waking up.

I have fixed the post.

FWIW, I'm GE now and have earned GE for next year, I be able to 'bank' a year be the end of April,

DUw to recently announced changes to Upgrades I will no longer be persuing *E

Must be older than 93!!! long day Serfty???

 

[nlagalle]

I voted in the not enough to be enticed..

I haven't seen any of the outstanding treatment people have written about. They have been courteous, but thats been it. QF hasn't been worse or better. However I still prefer a 767 where I can on my commute to Syd. I prefer the spirit collection in the QF lounges compared to VA (none). I do like the VA premium entrance in SYD. I do find it much easier with work to book flex tickets on QF than on VA. very rarely will VA have sold out of savers.

So I will continue to fly both where it suits me.

 

[MadFairlane]

QF running out of meals halfway down the a/c???? maybe they ran out of your preferred choice??? but i'm sure there was still a COMPLIMENTARY meal for you to eat...but i forget the 'younger generation' wants WHAT THEY WANT, WHEN THEY WANT...

Nope, literally ran out of food at about row 17... I ate, as I get a diabetic meal... My wife did not.

 

[QF WP]

Generally pleased but given I have only 5 returns (SYD x 2, CBR x 2, EMD) it's a small sample and many of the changes have probably gone unnoticed to me.

 

[Major]

I am concerned over recent changes and not happy that I didn't receive the latest email double SC's offer, but there have been improvements over the last 2 years.

 

[greenfish]

Nope, literally ran out of food at about row 17... I ate, as I get a diabetic meal... My wife did not.

That is appalling. I hope you made a formal complaint. It is one thing not to have your choice, but nothing at all is not acceptable.

This hasn't happened to me on QF - the nearest is on the CBR->SYD run before I had status (could never work out why I was always row 14 or further back) enjoyed watching the desperate dash to distribute the refreshments - generally anything past row 16 and you were out of luck, but a holding pattern or a really efficient crew could see the entire plane catered.

I've also had an experience where I've been moved onto a flight at the very last minute - catering not assured on the BP - where I've been given my meal last - but they've always had something.

So for QF to run out by row 17 would really annoy me. Out of interest, did your flight have IFE? I've been told pretty much all the 737s used by Jetconnect now have IFE.

 

[GCC]

Generally pleased.

Was status matched Velocity Plat. They are vastly improved over the DJ of 2- 3 years ago, and are a viable option for travel to places like OOL and HBA, or anywhere for that matter.

I also haven't really experienced much of the outstanding / amazing treatment people have written about. Thinking about it, my moments of outstanding service have actually been with QF over the past 6 months, while VA have been consistently good. QF do fly more places I go to more often, I hate the ATR VA use on on CBR - SYD route, the pricing is about the same, and I prefer QF lounges. I've also noticed a number of new and (dare I say younger) cabin crew on on QF flights recently, with all the fresh enthusiasm of the VA crew.

I do like the VA premium entrance in SYD, I like the 4 comp upgrades and had a great flight with one in J PER - SYD recently, and I like the fact VA can sometimes block a seat and tell you about it.

I'm one of those that isn't going to be able to retain both QF WP and VA plat, and posted about this elsewhere, so I'm going to have to focus on flying one over the other for the next few months.

At the end of the day my feeling is "generally pleased" with VA, but I will be retaining QF WP.

 

[MadFairlane]

That is appalling. I hope you made a formal complaint. It is one thing not to have your choice, but nothing at all is not acceptable.

This hasn't happened to me on QF - the nearest is on the CBR->SYD run before I had status (could never work out why I was always row 14 or further back) enjoyed watching the desperate dash to distribute the refreshments - generally anything past row 16 and you were out of luck, but a holding pattern or a really efficient crew could see the entire plane catered.

I've also had an experience where I've been moved onto a flight at the very last minute - catering not assured on the BP - where I've been given my meal last - but they've always had something.

So for QF to run out by row 17 would really annoy me. Out of interest, did your flight have IFE? I've been told pretty much all the 737s used by Jetconnect now have IFE.

Yeah they all had IFE... touchscreen style (when it worked...) I don't use the IFE on any flights really so didn't have a great look at it.


She emailed Qantas re:lack of catering... No reply as yet.