Are samsung tablets gone in Virgin domestic 'business-sort of 'class?

[Dee#]

I flew Perth to Darwin on 11 May and returned on 25 May both in Business class (platinum member). Both times there were no Samsung entertainment tablets provided.Its 3hrs 40min.
I complained to Virgin both times on the internet. First time I got an apology and 10,000 FF points.
Second time I complained about the return flight I more or less got told to coughk off.

Seems domestically unless it is 'the business' coast to coast, at the pointy end the offering is the equivalent of a premium economy, not business. You only get a bigger seat, reasonable meal and free booze.
The Lavs arn't even for the flight deck and business alone anymore as the economy passengers wander in and out and the hosties don't stop them.
Really going down hill now.

 

[Tazza_0712]

I don't recall the last time I was offered a tablet in VA domestic J. It was probably December 2015 if I had to pick.

I do have my iphone and an external battery pack which suits me fine for short hops to access the wifi entertainment, though I would still expect they should offer something more to their J guests as they used to. I don't know if this is still a sold feature of domestic J?

As for lavatory use, on a recent flight from SYD to OOL, the CSM turned back a Y passenger who managed to walk up before the magnetic rope had been put in place. Passenger was sent on her merry way and no one else came up from Y throughout the flight. It's probably crew dependant (which it shouldn't be) but I wouldn't worry that the whole domestic J experience has slipped because of your two flights. Hopefully the next times are better, and certainly they should work something out regarding IFE for J.

 

[bam71]

Yup - it was discussed on another thread, no more tablets in J ( at least on the 737's)

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Well they're still advertised as part of the service on their website:

Boeing 737 & Embraer E190 In-flight Entertainment

As a Business Class guest, on selected flights, you will be provided with a complimentary Tablet and premium headset to access our Wireless In-flight Entertainment. This state-of-the-art system provides you with access to hundreds of hours of movies, TV shows, music and more. Wireless In-flight Entertainment is also available via your own device if you prefer.

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/on-board-the-flight/cabin-classes/business/

I'm about to get on one in 30mins, so we'll see...

 

[Jurahn]

I flew Perth to Darwin on 11 May and returned on 25 May both in Business class (platinum member). Both times there were no Samsung entertainment tablets provided.Its 3hrs 40min.
I complained to Virgin both times on the internet. First time I got an apology and 10,000 FF points.
Second time I complained about the return flight I more or less got told to coughk off.

TBH, getting 10,000 points for your first complaint regarding the tablets isn't a bad result at all, considering that's all I got when I complained about a PER-SYD flight downgrade earlier this year from A330 to 737. I didn't receive any notification of the aircraft change and I was on a revenue J fare!! Despite VA saying in their response to my complaint: "Where operational requirements necessitate that the original aircraft allocated to a particular route be replaced, we will do our utmost to contact our Business Class guests to advise them of the change as soon as possible, and offer alternatives" - certainly didn't happen in my case.

Back on topic though - VA not providing the tablets whilst still advertising them (as Sludge321 pointed out) as part of the service, is simply not on, especially on a coast-to-coast flight. I agree - the 737 business offering is more like PE, and there's absolutely no comparison between that and "The Business". With the commencement of the HKG flights, there's likely to be more chance of domestic A330s being swapped out if needed for that route (if an aircraft goes tech, etc) and VA made it quite clear in the response they sent to my complaint that "Given the nature of the aviation industry, aircraft types are not guaranteed and it would not be appropriate to compensate for this each time as it is specifically outlined in our Conditions of Carriage accepted at the time of booking." So does that mean it's going to be "tough luck" for pax (especially those in J) and no compensation for these swaps in the future?

 

[Pleb Status]

Yup - it was discussed on another thread, no more tablets in J ( at least on the 737's)

Your 'statement' is incorrect.

The Samsung tablets are still on offer in 737 J transcon at least (as of last weekend). I personally witnessed the CSM flogging them to all of the J pax (and the guy in 3F who appeared to be quite important for some reason).

 

[bam71]

Your 'statement' is incorrect.

The Samsung tablets are still on offer in 737 J transcon at least (as of last weekend). I personally witnessed the CSM flogging them to all of the J pax (and the the guy in 3F who appeared to be quite important for some reason).

More than happy to be corrected. Maybe they're not on the triangle then?

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Well they're still advertised as part of the service on their website:



https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/on-board-the-flight/cabin-classes/business/

I'm about to get on one in 30mins, so we'll see...

SYD-CNS - was offered a tablet without having to ask . Just as well, as the aircraft had no power sockets in the business seats and I needed my phone's GPS for when I landed. Didn't look like the aircraft had been fitted for Economy X either.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Was offered one 2 years ago BNE to HBA, which I accepted and saved mine own device. Certainly also offered MEL to SYD, SYD to OOL in the last year, which i have not bothered with.

 

[Dee#]

Well I'm going on Thursday 10 Aug Perth to Darwin J again. 737 I presume. 3hrs 40min
Lets see if I get a tablet this time.?
I have a computer but its batteries won't last 3hrs showing a film, and they don't have power plugs in the seat.
Im certainly not buying a tablet and headphones myself just to watch their movies. But for all J passengers its easier to watch their equipment than heave your stuff out of your bag sometimes.
Virgin Management -are you listening?

 

[mmchow]

I was offered one 2 weeks ago on a 1hr flight from Kalgoorlie to Perth. It was waiting on my seat. Didn't use it at all as my colleague and I chatted away.
I was using the power plug on the 737 on my way over to Perth so there is definitely one, unless the plane I was on happened to have one.

 

[serfty]

Some VA B737 have the power point in Business, some don't.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Got offered tablet both ways mel-adl-mel last week .