The Virgin Australia Newbie Questions Thread

[serfty]

The inflated numbers would be those with a VA flight number.

Maybe, but those 600K points options are not your normal awards (as in booking into Z (or I on SQ)). They are effectively revenue fares part paid with points (at ~6¢ per point).

 

[AL10]

I have star alliance gold through AC, and am thinking of booking a VA flight to DPS. I've never flown VA internationally. What benefits, if any, do I get? Also, do you recommend booking economy X? Thanks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have star alliance gold through AC, and am thinking of booking a VA flight to DPS. I've never flown VA internationally. What benefits, if any, do I get? Also, do you recommend booking economy X? Thanks.

The only benefit of Aeroplan is that you can access VA lounges prior to departure.

As there are no international VA lounges, the benefit is non existent.

Details here: Aeroplan partners

If you chose singapore airlines via sin you’d get business class check-in, priority boarding, lounge access, extra baggage allowance etc etc.

Economy X can be very expensive. But the regular seat pitch is pretty tight on VA… it feels far tighter than QF. So it *might* be of value.

You might find a better overall package by saving the money from economy X and buying qantas… which then comes with an open bar, meals, and good inflight entertainment, and free wifi while over australia (which is most of the flight!)

 

[AL10]

The only benefit of Aeroplan is that you can access VA lounges prior to departure.

As there are no international VA lounges, the benefit is non existent.

Details here: Aeroplan partners

If you chose singapore airlines via sin you’d get business class check-in, priority boarding, lounge access, extra baggage allowance etc etc.

Economy X can be very expensive. But the regular seat pitch is pretty tight on VA… it feels far tighter than QF. So it *might* be of value.

You might find a better overall package by saving the money from economy X and buying qantas… which then comes with an open bar, meals, and good inflight entertainment, and free wifi while over australia (which is most of the flight!)

Thank you so much for the info and insights.

 

[MooTime]

The only benefit of Aeroplan is that you can access VA lounges prior to departure.

As there are no international VA lounges, the benefit is non existent.

Details here: Aeroplan partners

If you chose singapore airlines via sin you’d get business class check-in, priority boarding, lounge access, extra baggage allowance etc etc.

Economy X can be very expensive. But the regular seat pitch is pretty tight on VA… it feels far tighter than QF. So it *might* be of value.

You might find a better overall package by saving the money from economy X and buying qantas… which then comes with an open bar, meals, and good inflight entertainment, and free wifi while over australia (which is most of the flight!)

It feels tighter the seat pitch is is or isn't tighter?
Did quick search and it's ~30% more $$ on QF than VA...for couple beers and what some call a meal. Wifi free for part of trip at so so speed.
Lounge access in AUS at certain ports vs QF zero lounge access with Aeroplan.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It feels tighter the seat pitch is is or isn't tighter?
Did quick search and it's ~30% more $$ on QF than VA...for couple beers and what some call a meal. Wifi free for part of trip at so so speed.
Lounge access in AUS at certain ports vs QF zero lounge access with Aeroplan.

VA seat pitch 29.8 inches. Qantas 30. So ‘is’ tighter. But actually after having sat in the ‘new’ VA seats… seems a lot worse than it appears on paper

The OP was asking about travel to Bali… so no lounge access.

I picked a random date where VA had their cheapest fare MEL-DPS, lite fare was $392 plus $95 for economy X total $497. QF is $469 all up including bags, bar, meals. and wifi. Also no lounge access.

 

[MooTime]

VA seat pitch 29.8 inches. Qantas 31. So ‘is’ tighter. And feels like it!

The OP was asking about travel to Bali… so no lounge access.

I picked a random date where VA had their cheapest fare MEL-DPS, lite fare was $392 plus $95 for economy X total $497. QF is $469 all up including bags, bar, meals. and wifi. Also no lounge access.

Ok.
I'd only say if flying to dps from ool or mel, you could still access the VA lounge as same terminal building. Via the Aeroplan privilege.

Also with ecoX you have 34" of pitch, fair amount more than QF. For $30 extra in your above eg.

But being Lite fare no bags so not good.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ok.
I'd only say if flying to dps from ool or mel, you could still access the VA lounge as same terminal building. Via the Aeroplan privilege.

Also with ecoX you have 34" of pitch, fair amount more than QF. For $30 extra in your above eg.

But being Lite fare no bags so not good.

I edited my post while you were writing because i wanted to confirm the QF seat pitch… it’s actually only 30 inches, not 31.

However, while using up the last of my VA points I took an economy flight a few weeks ago on one of the newly configured planes with the extra row of seats… it was really tight Maybe it’s just the QF seats being fabric are more worn-in and pliable