Virgin Australia A330 MEL-SYD 28th May 2011

[Misha]

I appreciate that a short-haul on one of the busiest air routes, and therefore most common won’t necessarily interest many; but alas; I am a pedant and therefore request your indulgence or recommend your leaving this thread as I have been known to ramble Perhaps you could scroll down to the last few bullet points at the end of this report to get the gyst and save 10 minutes of your life...

Last night, I flew from Melbourne to Sydney solely to try out Cable Beach, Virgin Australia’s A330 which is normally on the transcontinental route between Sydney and the West Coast. The thought of being one of the first on the new bird was alluring enough, but coupled with the opportunity to do so on the cheap without having to end up in Perth sealed the deal.

It started at Melbourne where I had arranged to meet up with fellow AFF’ers AaronBradford and Liam Rasmussen. Unfortunately Liam was called away for work commitments last minute so it was to be Aaron and myself.

I got to Melbourne looking for an AFF member (should I look for someone wearing a red carnation or what – actually the giveaway was the Aviation Australia magazine he carried under his arm – not to mention the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association membership card he sports in his wallet!) and off we trotted to the Melbourne lounge.

It was nice to be in the lounge on a Saturday night as it was empty. It allowed me to meander about and have a good sticky beak into all the nooks and crannies – not something I normally want to do on a weekday morning when it is rush hour and busier than Bourke Street Mall... Aaron, bless his geeky soul, brought his DLSR camera, so no doubt he will update this post at some stage with his vastly superior photographic skills (on a side note – do visit his photography gallery online, our Aaron has some talent).

 

[Misha]

The ever-wonderful lounge angels advised us that there were only 60 pax on the entire flight! I must admit I thought it would be full due to people wanting to try out the new product. I was booked in seat 7a (first of economy, with a ridiculous amount of leg room). I had previously pulled the DYKWIA (in a cheeky way) seeking a business upgrade – and tried again in the lounge – she said she would ‘let us know’ Aaron was in 14something or other, though I asked if he could be sat next to me. Again, due to loading she would let us know – but came up to us 5 minutes later (at the bar of course) to give him his new boarding pass - seated next to yours truly.


With some 3 hours to pass the time in the Lounge, I found a kindred spirit in Aaron as we wore a little track in the new carpet that kept going back and forth from the veranda to the bar...

Aaron is a true plane-spotter and sitting there in the lounge was quite happy taking snaps of the planes, whilst we both waited to see our A330 touchdown (of course Murphy’s law ensured it did so during one of our bar runs – though in all honesty – the odds were in favour of catching us out due to the amount of time we spent going back and forth for more drinks!)

Sitting in those chairs, I would have happily spent an entire evening.

“Notice how the tail has a different <insert technical word Misha doesn’t understand> on it”


“Misha, can’t you see how by the APU it’s all metal? Clearly that’s an embraer?”


<Insert look of complete ignorance on Misha’s face>


“A.P.U., *sigh* Auxiliary Power Unit... Really". *condescending look on Aaron’s face*

That’s when I smacked him over the head with his leica.... okay so maybe not – though I may well have as after the APU comment which flew over my head like an A330, I was focussing quite strongly on my glass of wine which inexplicably had become quite unstable and had to be held with deep concentration so as not to spill a drop.

 

[Misha]

Moving on...

We finally saw the plane arrive, and taxi-ed straight to gate 12 which was out of our view. We made our way to the gate (which of course is at the far pier in Melbourne) where our bird was waiting for us; which Aaron continuously called “Gorgeous” (something he did for the duration of the flight too I may add) and took 87 or 88 photos of her. Perhaps I exaggerate, it may have been 54. I got one or two with my phone. I tried to get one of Aaron on his camera, but thank you to Liam’s false testimony to my dropping his iphone, I was not allowed – so I took one with mine instead. Then I dropped my iphone.

At the gate, with only 60 pax, boarding went very quickly. They called priority boarding for business and Velocity Gold so off we went. There were angels checking boarding passes at the front of the queue to ensure we were allowed to use that path before you even got to the scanning point. I told them that Aaron “was with me” and he followed me expectantly, eyes aglow with excitement.

Upon boarding Jade took a look at my boarding pass and said “welcome aboard Mr. ######, could I invite you to sit in our business class section today?” “Is the Pope Catholic?” or something similar was my answer – though I did state I was travelling with Aaron who did his best bambi impression at the FA. She suggested that he better come along too then :mrgreen:


<Insert hero-like music in background with image of Misha wearing lycra, his cape billowing in the wind, which inexplicably and somewhat oddly is also blowing an American flag that’s right behind him. Yes. It must be stated: I. Am. A. Hero. >

 

[AaronBradford]

Clearly that’s an embraer

Not to mention the completely different size and structure!

 

[Misha]

I thought hmmm, which seat, which seat and headed straight for 1A & 1B. I suggested Aaron take the window (he looked fit to burst!) and began to play with the chair’s recline functions, reading light and accepted a pre-take off glass of white wine. The noise-cancelling head sets worked a treat as Aaron couldn't hear me at all. I had to pinch him. That was fun.

Aaron had not flown business before, and this was also his first time on a plane as big as this – and I must say travelling with someone who was so happy to be there was a wonderful experience. His enthusiasm was infectious and we were soon giggling like two school girls. We also drank like two uni students, which probably didn’t hurt our jovial spirits.

After flying often (though not as often as many of your good selves here on AFF) one often gets apathetic and jumps on board, reads a paper, falls asleep and that’s that. Aaron reminded me what is was like when flying was an adventure. “Look, there’s an A380!” “Look, that’s the all white VA 737/Embraer!” he is genuinely a lover of flying and of aircraft. I confess I am more a lover of travel and of some of the associated perks – but Aaron made me feel like a small child who was finally tall enough to ride the rollercoaster at this year’s Royal Easter Show. Thank you Aaron.

Time for some flying talk. The crew were absolutely wonderful. Jade, Erica and all the team of FAs were as excited as the pax to be on the new air craft. Virgin have come a long way with their branding and service – and to see the staff be anxious to see more developments too really shows the camaraderie they have as an organisation –something you don’t see on other Australian carriers (not mentioning any names of course).

We were advised that for the entire crew, this was not only the plane’s first commercial MEL-SYD run (which we knew) but it was their first run on the A330 with any pax: and you’d never have known, had they not said anything. After significant training they hadn’t been on a live aircraft for a while – but their service was impeccable. The usual friendly stuff of course, but also the extras too.

Apart from the “We bow to you oh Gold member” obligations, I made sure I mentioned AFF and that we were only on the flight to try out their new bird , and were expected to report back comprehensively on our experience...I was going to be the favourite passenger on that plane, or at least the most annoying. I think I achieved the latter, though the former remains a mystery

It was my intention to sit in the economy section for a while to check out seat pitch and comfort as many of us will find ourselves there quite often, but I knew it would break the heart of the J cabin crew if I left, so I took one for the team and stayed in business.

Aaron did go have a look, and reported that they were very comfortable and had significant leg room for people of our height (I am 180cms). I am sure from MEL-SYD they would be very comfortable, though I imagine SYD-PER would be another story, and think that perhaps a PE option (Main Cabin Select option a la Virgin America?) would be a winner for cost-conscious business travellers....

The seat had all the mod-cons one expects – though I did not notice any in-seat power units: USB or plugs. Perhaps the seats with seat-backs in front of them had them, but I don’t think we did in row 1, which is a disappointment in J, especially if I were on a 4 hour flight on my way to a work meeting.

PLenty of leg room in 1A 1B

Even stretched out I could not reach the wall

 

[Misha]

The IFE was just as you expect and very good. I was glad to see the international style maps used, as opposed to the channel 13 Live2Air model, there were no annoying advertisements for Telehone Companies and GPS units every 30 seconds.

A definite thumbs up for the down camera and pilot’s-view camera options. I would talk more about movie quality, etc but we didn’t watch them. Aaron’s screen had pilot’s view, I had the alternative down camera and that is where they stayed till we pulled up to the gate in SYD.

Map

One thing of note is on its first commercial flight between Melbourne and Sydney the video feed froze. A quick thinking FA quickly went to reboot and the standard ‘manually-demonstrated’ security briefing was provided – no one noticed and I am sure people on board didn’t know that the V Australia style animation demo was even an option. Pax were advised the screens would be on soon – and they were. No chaos, no stressing out – FA rebooted, got it on and all went smoothly. Again, had they not told me this (we were very casual with the crew enjoying some fun conversations) I would not have even known.

No animation on this flight

As well as the standard Luke Mangan menu, we were advised even on this one hour flight that anything from the hot items menu would be made available. Well after hearing so much about the Mangan pies, Aaron and I both decided to try it out. (The minis in the Lounge are okay but not worth blogging about).

Mangan Pie with Tomato Relish - delicious

Another bottle or two of wine was also required so as to stay hydrated on an aircraft Well I must say that the pies were lovely. Very filling, and with actual chunks of steak covered in gravy. A thumbs up – and I agree with others who have said they are worth every cent (if, of course, you find yourself in a situation where you have to pay for it). Note: the A330 between Sydney and Melbourne offers the PE service in its J cabin, not the actual J so menus and such reflect that what you would get on a 737 – just in a much nicer environment.

Chunky Pie indeed

By this stage, Aaron was onto to Jim Beam and I was firmly convinced I was going to resign from the world of HR and apply for a job as a VA FA.

Trying to fix his light onto his seat so I could have a photo of him demonstrating the degree of recline, Aaron managed to pull off the globe on the seat light. I have no idea how, nor could we get the thing back on. As one does in these situations, the globe was placed in the seat pocket and Aaron tried to look as inconspicuous as he could (for someone click click clicking away on his camera).

I state this to a) embarrass Aaron, but also b) to note surprise at the ease with which it came away – something I would expect perhaps on a Tiger aeroplane.

Nothing, and I mean nothing about the A330 seems cheap – except perhaps the cost of the ticket I purchased – so there may have been some little oversights in preparing them? Maybe it was just the globe’s time – it didn’t bother me in the least – and provided some diverting moments in all honesty!

Aaron modelling the J seat recline

 

[Misha]

Erica came up to us mid-flight and said to me that since we were priority pax and due to being aviation enthusiasts (who was I to advise her that I didn’t know what the difference between an A330 and an Embraer was 3 months ago) that the captains would like to invite us onto the deck to check it out We would only have to wait for pax to disembark and then it was all ours.

After a beautiful smooth landing (it must be said, with an empty flight, take off was a schoolyard skip on a bed of daisies then a float up to cruising altitude, and the flight itself was as good as they get) we taxi-ed to the terminal where we were shown into the coughpit.

This flight was being operated by two captains, and may I say a very big thank you to Brian and Richard who were both very hospitable. I imagine it was the last flight of the day and they wanted to be done with paper-work and get home, but they indulged us and Richard asked me if we would like to sit at the controls to get a photo. I am naturally a camera shy person (refusing photos from Aaron all day) but was not too stupid to give up that opportunity. We took our turns and got our snaps (Aaron is forbidden to post mine as no one need see what I look like after a 5 hour long drinking session with someone 10 years my junior!).

Captain Richard

The coughpit of the A330 Cable Beach where Aaron and I got to sit for a pic

 

[Misha]

We headed back to the cabin to collect our bags, and the celabratory atmosphere was there with the crew too. They were all posing together taking photos of their first commercial flight on the A330. I took a photo for them on the FAs mobile – and I swear to Mother Mary her screen was completely smashed – cracked and broken – so I was quite sure I couldn’t do any further damage to it and took some shots so they could all be in one.

A ”1,2,3 Qantas Sucks!” and the very attractive FAs got their 2011 Christmas card shot. (My they look smart in their new uniforms onboard that beautiful plane)

We thanked them for a truly enjoyable experience and disembarked the plane with two of the biggest smiles the Sydney Virgin Terminal has seen in a while and headed towards the exit.

Aaron somehow managed to find a train into town, and it was my task to walk (or as close to walk as I was capable of last night) to my airport hotel for the night before flying back to MEL today (on which I presently sit on a 737 at this moment typing this report: with too many litres of water in me, 3 coffees, two lounge crumpets, a muffin, a croissant, 3 glasses of orange juice and 2 nurofen!)


Overall summary of the Trip:
• A330 is a true aviation fan’s aircraft and the flagship bird of the Virgin Australia fleet IMO

• The new livery and interior is very schnazzy and not only competes with Qantas, but kicks it out of the park IMO

• Regardless of the new planes, new routes, new fare structure and the up and coming changes to the Velocity programme that we are all so looking forward to, Virgin Australia’s biggest asset is its staff. The people are the face of the company and if they maintain the attitude and personality of those we had aboard flight DJ885 last night, they will find it hard to go wrong

• Rest of the fleet now needs to be refitted to tie in with this new style as it is hard being on a normal 737 now – even though the one I am on now is a new one still awaiting IFE

• In-seat power points (unless I missed them) is a must and should be introduced where possible

• I would probably say the toilets in the J cabin were the weakest link, and could do with a redesign – though if the worst part of a plane is the khazi, again not much wrong there. Still, the 737 toilet (with the charcoal fittings) is much nicer than the beige, bland lavatory on Cable Beach.

• Remember the little things: Big and flashy, with press releases and fanfare is great – but looking at fine details (a la the light globe) should not be forgotten.

• Revamp the remaining Virgin lounges to resemble Melbourne please!

• Consider the introduction of a PE/Main Cabin Select option on board the A330s as an in-between Y and J.

All in all a truly enjoyable experience and a pleasing way to pass a Saturday night.

A big thank you again to all the staff on board, both in the pointy end and at the back end as well as the friendly ground staff in Melbourne (who made sure to do the obligatory wave at the boarding gate as we backed away).

I am booked on the A330 a couple of times over the next month or two (by chance) and am looking forward to getting back onto it – though alas I feel seat 1B may not be mine next time...

For the record Flight DJ 885 departed 30 minutes late, though that did not bother me as I was on a pleasure flight. I was seated in 1B with full Premium Economy service on a Happy Hour fare purchased for $65 – the cheapest MEL-SYD fare I have ever bought. :shock:

Cheers.

 

[AaronBradford]

Here's a photodump!

 

[Major]

WOW, for a 1 hour flight that's one hell of a TR. I enjoyed every word, great work.

 

[777]

Thanks for the TR Misha. Can't see Misha's photos but Aaron's make up for it.

 

[Sifor]

Looks like you guys had a great time!

 

[Misha]

Thanks for the TR Misha. Can't see Mischa's photos but Aaron's make up for it.

Perhaps a good thing as I am not very good at taking photos

Will try a dump of the photos I referred to in the report...

 

[Misha]

and some more....

 

[Misha]

and the coughpit...

 

[LiamR]

Wow, sounds like a missed out on a fair bit. Sounds like the TR took longer than the flight.

Shame I wasen't there, Aaron Bradford could have talked to someone who understood what the APU means.

One of the crew on that A330 I also had on my flight on Virgin's Boeing Sky Interior flight. But it sounds like they all gave fantastic service. Look forward to trying the A330 very soon.

Thanks for posting all the pics!

 

[dk4]

Consider the introduction of a PE/Main Cabin Select option on board the A330s as an in-between Y and J.

I am sure that VAA is getting a load of valuable data regarding the interest in P.E. versus Business, for the PER-SYD market. Looking at that route as a whole, VAA is currently offering BOTH Business & P.E. (obviously on differing aircraft at differing times).

With the P.E. product now pricing with a 25% reduction (IIRC, P.E. was up to $1000 at one point, but now sitting around $750), and QF pricing FlexiSaver at almost $900, it would be very interesting to see VAA's results comparing P.E. & Business Class demand. (Which may have some impact on whether P.E. is introduced onto future A330s?)

 

[drewbles]

One thing that has really surprised me about the re-branding is how quickly it has really happened. Gate signage, check-in, on-board (Except this months Voyeur which is still Virgin Blue, but that's forgivable).

The only thing really to re-brand is the a/c.

Great Trip Report. I'm an old-school plane-spotter at heart (I started off my love of aviation over at the YSSY forums, although I don't loiter there anymore; I kinda stopped when I moved to Melbourne as the spotting at MEL sucks compared to the awesome view from under the tower at YSSY; oh the many hours I spent out there with a scanner!)

 

[docjames]

Great tr.

A particular thanks for posting the j cabin showing the configuration.

 

[pauly7]

Great tr.

A particular thanks for posting the j cabin showing the configuration.

Ditto - thank you.

Wonder if DJ will be pulling out the dreaded middle seat just like Qantas are??