In praise of Virgin America

[Keith009]

Flew them for the first time SFO-LAS-SFO and loved it, loved it, loved it! They have made domestic air travel in the US sexy again, and show that flying in the US doesn't have to be like sitting in a Greyhound bus. I'd gladly forgo QFF SCs to fly VX over AA unless I really need SCs for requal.

Groovy stuff on VX:
- Very modern equipment
- Clean, comfy cabins
- Cheerful and enthusiastic cabin crew who actually want to be there
- Cool pilot uniforms
- Purple mood lighting even on short hauls - makes it seem like you're sitting in your favourite coughtail bar
- Great range of decent booze
- The super sick RED personal IFE system - which also serves as a platform for ordering food and drink from the galley. IFE also operates gate-to-gate.

The Main Cabin Select (Premium Economy) Instant Upgrade fare is exceptionally good value. For as little as $50 over Main Cabin non-refundable, you get free checked baggage, heaps of legroom, free alcohol, and free food. If nothing else, downing $50 worth of booze should be rather cruisy on a 1 hr 23 mins flight!

Other than their own program eleVAte, VX flights can be credited to DJ's Velocity program for those of us based down under.

 

[harvyk]

What are the terminals like, and what are the onboard food options like?

We're looking at doing a trip to the US later this year (myself + wife + 3 kids under 4 :shock: ) and whilst we where looking at AA because they are OW + Admirals club access, I have no particular love for AA (especially the FA's that don't want to be there), and would happily switch to another better carrier.

 

[drron]

I just want to know what they put in the champagne?:shock:

 

[djfuzz]

Any chance of a classic QF009 TR with signature legroom shot?

I'm guessing you didn't try the T-6 hour upgrade to F?

Very curious to see how this works - have parents booked in MCS on a red-eye transcon next month, but have heard that the F upgrade option at T-6 does not like foreign credit cards.

 

[Keith009]

What are the terminals like, and what are the onboard food options like?

The only downer is that they do not have lounges. At SFO where they're using the International terminal you can pay to enter the VS CH when the VS flight to LHR leaves but that's about it. But they're moving to the new T2 soon so there goes that option. They use the B gates at LAS.

We only had snacks as it was a short flight. Pringles, Snickers, cookies, the usual. Most importantly, full bar service, including a fab range of coughtails. You get sandwiches on flights over 2 hours and hot food on flights over 3 hours. The crew also respond to your orders via RED super efficiently.

I just want to know what they put in the champagne?:shock:

Give them a go mate. They're now the only airline I'd ever fly in the US, all else being equal. They also serve sparkling wine in MCS.

Any chance of a classic QF009 TR with signature legroom shot?

I'm guessing you didn't try the T-6 hour upgrade to F?

Very curious to see how this works - have parents booked in MCS on a red-eye transcon next month, but have heard that the F upgrade option at T-6 does not like foreign credit cards.

I only took a few pics of the cool mood lighting with my phone but that's about it. I am writing a TR imminently however it's about something else so stay tuned... Hint: my Wanderlust took me to Seminyak, Bali recently.

Nope don't know about the T-6 hr upgrade... intriguing!

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Thanks for the heads-up QF009

Whats the price difference between PE and J then (substantial l guess)?

And posting points to DJ is also a big plus.

 

[Keith009]

Thanks for the heads-up QF009

Whats the price difference between PE and J then (substantial l guess)?

And posting points to DJ is also a big plus.

IIRC the difference was about $100 each way. Very good value. Unfortunately it was a group trip for work and policy was whY for such a short flight. But coming straight off an international flight I needed the luggage space so could justify discount PE which is cheaper than the full whY fare.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

The Virgin America website also looks pretty easy to navigate. I think that this is one area where DJ really need to improve on.
Also looks like there are only 8 F seats and 12 "Main Cabin Select" seats. (Or are both exit rows available, making 18)?View attachment 1928





View attachment 1929

 

[LiamR]

I flew them on a few sectors last July. On LAX-SFO we had a 4hr delay due to fog. The captain came to the gate to talk to us, afterwards he noticed my QF Platinum tag and started talking to me..... Which led to a guided tour of the aircraft and flight deck. They are a great airline.

Only negative is the lack of Status Tiers, and therefore no lounge access or priority checkin.

 

[Misha]

Hi,

Glad you enjoyed your trip!

I have mixed feelings about Virgin America; though mostly positive after time to think. I flew them earlier this month, LAX to Cancun, and then return. The flight to CUN was atrocious. The staff had no idea what was going on - the senior FA was farcical, and had holes all through her lint-covered cardigan! She actually shouted at passengers (very few of us on an almost empty plane) and yanked the earphones out of one guys ears (with one hand - *snap*) when talking to him. I could do naught else but laugh hysterically! When the plane took off, they forgot to shut one of the cupboards, so crash, bang, plonk, trays fell all over the place in front of PE passengers (I was standard economy). I just hope she was having a bad day and just doing a third straight shift or something; no excuses.

On the other hand, the return flight was fantastic. The staff were uber friendly, the Senior FA was extremely professional. Upon hearing our accents, she asked us a whole bunch of questions about Australia and Australian air travel. I couldn't fault the flight. There were 30 people on the whole plane which naturally made it better.

Admittedly on both flights, the plane was immaculate - and the mood lighting is very cool. I also like the subtle glass panel distinction between economy and PE. Not pretentious like a curtain, but just enough to show these people paid more, and hence deserve more. (Also, when you get fed up enough, it still allows for good aim to lauch the sporadic projectile such as airlines peanuts, etc at those people who sit at the front, and look down at those who don't!)

I am not too fussed by their safety video (if you can watch that cartoon without sniggering like a child you are a far better (wo)man than me!) and their general approach reminds me a lot of DJ when they first started out and were new and 'hip'. The changes over the years on DJ have only been vast improvements, and I think that Virgin America will head the same way too... It's a bit youthful (in good ways and bad) but that will age like a nice bottle of wine (unlike Qantas that has aged like a glass of milk IMHO).

I think it is great that people acknowledge the good though and offer 'praise' as you have - it will show the airline which way it needs to go.

DJ points was a big bonus. Make sure you don't miss out on the double points for March. SC entitlement too is a nice touch.

Terminal at LAX is absolutely horrid, but you just walk next door to Thomas Bradley (sic) and shop there. Apart from Starbucks and BK, nothing else in LAX. Same story with VAustralia though.

I would fly them again, though if I see that first FA we had I may need to swig a quick G&T with half a Xanax before I let loose with the whole bag of pretzels when she walks past

 

[Keith009]

Yikes that first flight sounds horrible! I'm glad they redeemed themselves on your return flight. I guess like every other airline they're not immune to bad crew, which I hope are far and few in between!

Part of the reason why I loved the service was because it had an irreverent, sassy feel to it. Not silly and try hard cute like DJ in their early days, it's sexy and sleek yet professional. Rather like the service you get at my beloved W Hotels.

If DJ stepped up their game domestically and offer a similar level of service and amenity, and VA has greater MEL-LAX frequencies, I'd be more than happy to send some of my business their way.

 

[pshepvic]

The Virgin America website also looks pretty easy to navigate. I think that this is one area where DJ really need to improve on.
Also looks like there are only 8 F seats and 12 "Main Cabin Select" seats. (Or are both exit rows available, making 18)?

I'm pretty sure both exit rows are Main Cabin Select (maybe they were blocked on those flights you were looking at online?) - although I've only flown in rows 1 & 2 on VX!

And yes, definitely only 8 seats in F - very comfortable seats mind you!

 

[pshepvic]

I've flown VX a number of times in the US, and I'd have to say that despite the fact that they promote themselves as a LCC (or at least did in the early days) they are anything but. I think they are the best Domestic airline in North America out of those I've flown (including Alaska, Air Canada, United, West Jet, American). Yes you have to pay for food & entertainment (which is pretty much the case on all US airlines, even so called "full service") but at least it's much higher quality than the rest.

I am not too fussed by their safety video (if you can watch that cartoon without sniggering like a child you are a far better (wo)man than me!) and their general approach reminds me a lot of DJ when they first started out and were new and 'hip'. The changes over the years on DJ have only been vast improvements, and I think that Virgin America will head the same way too... It's a bit youthful (in good ways and bad) but that will age like a nice bottle of wine (unlike Qantas that has aged like a glass of milk IMHO).

I didn't realise they actually had a video! The screens up front are in the armrest so are stored during the taxi (and therefore safety demo). I'd only heard the voice over and didn't realise there was a cartoon to go with it ... might have to fly main cabin select next time!

As far as comparison to DJ though, apart from the lack of lounges, I think VX has been way ahead right from the start. Whilst the staff do have the "youthful" approach like DJ, I find them a lot more professional, particularly when it comes to safety (for example, the constant giggling and carry during every DJ safety demo I find completely inappropriate).

I'd like to see DJ actually become more like VX, rather than the other way around (they can start with the VX seating for a start!)

 

[Misha]

Yes, perhaps I was too harsh. The first flight admittedly left me with a sour taste. The second crew were hip, but still had that professional American customer service - particularly the senior FA. I see what you mean. When DJ started out - they were cringe-worthy lame - thank goodness they are now pleasantly professional/personable.

If I had only taken the return flight, I would probably say that they have started at a very good place - though I still think they need to upgrade the safety video. PE passengers do get a live version, and I think that would be best for all aboard. Surely, it doesn't take much for the other two attendants to go through the motions as well?

I stand corrected - they are a good airline. All airlines have bad staff. I have had my best flight ever on an Air Canada flight, as well as my worst ever air travel experience (re: customer service) on the next leg with them.

I will certainly use them again, and hope for a crew that hasn't just run out of prozac

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I'm pretty sure both exit rows are Main Cabin Select (maybe they were blocked on those flights you were looking at online?) - although I've only flown in rows 1 & 2 on VX!

And yes, definitely only 8 seats in F - very comfortable seats mind you!

Just from a few random searches, it looks like Rows 1 + 2 are F and front row of Y is PE as is front row of mid emergency exit row. The row before the mid-exit is just Y (From what l can see from a few random searches).
So, from that, 8 F and 12 PE.

 

[LiamR]

I'd like to see DJ actually become more like VX, rather than the other way around (they can start with the VX seating for a start!)

+1, if DJ take a chapter from VX (+ lounges & tier status) Qantas should be very scared. They would change Australian Air Travel.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

+1, if DJ take a chapter from VX (+ lounges & tier status) Qantas should be very scared. They would change Australian Air Travel.

+2

The VX Dom F (equivalent to QF J) looks very "sexy". I wonder if it gets marked easily because of the colour choice though?

View attachment 1933View attachment 1934

 

[LiamR]

+2

The VX Dom F (equivalent to QF J) looks very "sexy". I wonder if it gets marked easily because of the colour choice though?

View attachment 1933View attachment 1934

Not in my experience, infact I really enjoyed the purple found it very refreshing..... I don't mind the safety video... Mainly because there was no giggling (DJ)

Biggest plus for me was WiFi. I felt slightly board on my VA flight back to OZ. Couldn't end my Facebook posts "is at 32,000 ft"

 

[pshepvic]

I will certainly use them again, and hope for a crew that hasn't just run out of prozac

As long as it's not the flight crew on the prozac, then I'm happy!

 

[drewbles]

What are the terminals like, and what are the onboard food options like?

We're looking at doing a trip to the US later this year (myself + wife + 3 kids under 4 :shock: ) and whilst we where looking at AA because they are OW + Admirals club access, I have no particular love for AA (especially the FA's that don't want to be there), and would happily switch to another better carrier.

They're using T3 at LAX, which is almost a fate worse than death!

Until they fix up their FF program and get lounges/tiers, I'm not going to fly with them with any regularity (despite the glowing in-flight reviews I have heard). I Don't like queuing up for checkin or boarding