Coast to Coast [Economy] Cost Cutting

[Deleted member 29185]

Touché. Last September.

Hey, it wasn't meant as a touché....just a question, as the service has gone backward but it may not be noticable if flying a while ago

You realise they have just won an award for this? I maintain that is somewhat the case, although the experts here say there is almost no difference, or at least the competition is worse.

An award for getting worse? I also wasn't comparing them to the opposition I was comparing them to themselves, just a little earlier....and let's not forget the redemption rate hike just recently (bet they don't receive an award for that )

Again, this I have heard, albeit it hasn't hit the tabloids, and it is concerning. But hey, at least they are younger and better looking than QF, right?

It doesn't just stop with friendliness, nor with in flight crew. The GCC used to bend over backward to help, these days they don't, often stating something cannot be done...when you know it can or wanting to charge a fee even when what you want to do cannot be done on line. In flight, even in the J cabin, the CSM does the minimum and then buggers off down the back and hides. My last flight was over three hours and the two food choices didn't entice, so I just chose the pie off the cart. I was served that and a wine and she disappeared. I had to use the call button to get her to come back to remove the tray and get another drink after about 1/2 an hour. There were 6 of us in the BSI J cabin so it wasn't like she had nothing to do. When I asked for a second drink (on a 3+ hour flight) she looked at me and said "another one?" with a horrified expression. The flight a month ago wa also about a 3 hour flight and I had a G&T with the meal and when she collected the meal, she also collected the G&T...which was only half finished! I asked for another one and got a similar look, which tends to make me think they're under an instruction to ration J drinks (I'd be keen to hear others experiences to gauge whether I was just unlucky...twice). Let's not forget the J mocktail went the way of the dodo long ago!

The winner is the one who can charge the most and still get away with it.

That is very true.......but I'm not sure they are getting away with anything. I was talking to an associate on the way back from POM recently who flys quite a bit and he said he's been booking VA because it's easy to get a flight, rather than QF/PX. One could argue that's extra business for VA.....but one could also argue that it's not good that VA have a heap of available seats. We see VA picking at threads from the hem, rather then patching the holes in the dress. Have we forgotten the now defunct flexi meal? The only difference with a flexi over a saver, apart from a huge fare difference is double SCs so where is the real incentive to pay for a flexi.....certainly not for the flexibility, as the fare difference is often large. Also, now that we've seen VA sell the platinum perks on long haul int for a lousey hundred and something bucks, I'm wondering how long before the bean counters apply the same smoke and mirrors stunt to row 3 dom? Take away row 3 and I won't be worried about plat anymore, I'll just settle for gold (I'm just waiting for an excuse to snip the plat handcuffs).......and that'll mean money out the door, and I'd wager I'm not alone on that one.

VA, I believe, still has a significant "new kid" glow about them, .... Their points of difference in the FF programme also give them quite a boost there....and finally the reality hits. They may be cutting back, or so we are lead to believe, but you're still here. Whether that is enough for them to survive is another thing.

I disagree. I think the new kid glow faded some time ago. I was a VA flyer before the game change but even I looked to QF (and to be honest if QF didn't lie to me, I'd be happily flying them) but I fly who makes it easiest for me. JQ has and will continue to get a fair chunk of my flying because OOL-CNS is convenient. QF and VA aren't. JQ certainly have their issues but 1C (which I most regularly get) is comparable in hard product with row 3 and the JQ muffin and coffee beats the heck out of the VA 20c coin sized muffin and 1/2 a plastic thimble of water in row 3.....and I don't have to commute to BNE.

I agree their FF scheme has some good bits, but no life time status kills it for a lot of flyers.

In any respect, I predict JB won't be steering the ship for too much longer. He sold a vision, but was never able to realise it fully, for whatever reason(s).

 

[Princess Fiona]

I agree with almost everything you've said.
Every once in a while you strike incredibly good, polished service on VA. It stands out like the proverbial dogs gonads. Never used to be this way. When I took the status match via QF back in 2011, everything was shiny, new and promising.
The gloss has come off though and were it not for the fact that my alternative most of the time is JQ I probably wouldn't bother with VA.

 

[marki]

I agree with almost everything you've said.
Every once in a while you strike incredibly good, polished service on VA. It stands out like the proverbial dogs gonads. Never used to be this way. When I took the status match via QF back in 2011, everything was shiny, new and promising.
The gloss has come off though and were it not for the fact that my alternative most of the time is JQ I probably wouldn't bother with VA.

Lol dogs Gonads lol

 

[Deleted member 29185]

were it not for the fact that my alternative most of the time is JQ I probably wouldn't bother with VA.

I think this is one of the biggest redeeming points for VA and it's their oppositions policy......Jetstarisation. If VA did OOL-CNS, I'd be exactly the same. They don't however and JQ is the only airline to do that route, so a quick drive to OOL vs a protracted drive up the congested motorway to BNE (the Springwood stretch is now as bad as the old Gateway used to be) sees OOL win often. (having said that, I'm just about to jump in the car and hit the Hwy to BNE )

 

[MH_fan]

I don't fly domestic J much but the times I have were pretty decent. The CSM was always very friendly and helpful. But in Y, I have definitely seen a drop in service compared to QF. The so-called "meals" are a disgrace and I think that not offering a proper meal during the appropriate flight times is simply appalling. That's where QF wins for me. The bulk of my domestic flying used to be on VA but I'm definitely booking more on QF lately. Despite all this, my recent experience on VA J to LAX and back was marvellous. I've also had good experiences with award availability and the family pooling as well as fly ahead still makes VA have an advantage over QF for me.

 

[Buzzard]

Only reinforces my belief that VA are just one rung up the ladder from a LCC. YMMV.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Most likely, but IMHO it's a short-sighted view when cost-cutting impacts negatively on the customer experience. Now that VA are pretty much the same price as QF, I suspect they will continue to lose customers if this continues...

Agreed.
I took my first VA flight for the first time in 6 years a few weeks ago in order to keep my VS flying club account alive.
QF outbound MEL > ADL , with VA inbound ADL > MEL.
Exactly the same price between QF & VA on both sectors.....
When I was on the VA aircraft I felt little has changed since the old Virgin Blue days, lacklustre free drinks just tea/coffee or water, no IFE ( didn't wish to burn my battery life out of my iPhone by streaming ) and generally an aircraft that appeared to have had a cosmetic facelift with coloured headrests and that cheap looking purple Perspex at the front of the cabin.
I came to the conclusion I haven't missed much in my 6 year absence from VA.

 

[woodborer]

The so-called "meals" are a disgrace and I think that not offering a proper meal during the appropriate flight times is simply appalling.

I don't think they call them meals. They just call it food (which is arguable in itself)

Exactly the same price between QF & VA on both sectors.....

This is the big problem VA have got. They have closed the gap on price, but haven't come close to closing the gap on service.

 

[BAM1748]

I agree with almost everything you've said.
Every once in a while you strike incredibly good, polished service on VA. It stands out like the proverbial dogs gonads. Never used to be this way. When I took the status match via QF back in 2011, everything was shiny, new and promising.
The gloss has come off though and were it not for the fact that my alternative most of the time is JQ I probably wouldn't bother with VA.

Which is why many returned to QF or didn't depart knowing the grass only looked greener.....

 

[koco]

Long time reader, first time posting
I flew for the first time with VA on the SYD-PER route return yesterday in Y. I can confirm what the original poster said about the food not being served on a tray, the hot meal was indeed wrapped up in a napkin.
On the morning flight we were served an egg and (I think) spinach omelette with potato wedges and relish, a small muesli bar and a tub of yoghurt (which I'm assuming was the dessert). I do think that a second drinks service occurred later on whilst I was sleeping.
On the return flight, dinner was either butter chicken and rice or basil and tomato penne, each served with a bread roll and choice of non-alcoholic beverage, beer or wine however there was no dessert. A second snack consisting of a piece of chocolate or nuts was served later on and so were further alcoholic beverages.
I'd have to say that the breakfast was much nicer than the dinner. I was happy with the food though and at least it consisted of a proper meal unlike on the SYD-BNE and SYD-MEL flights that I have taken in the last few months.

 

[JessicaTam]

Welcome to AFF koco.

I have to wait until November until I try my first C2C VA flight in J. Returning a couple of days later in QF J, so the comparison will be interesting.

 

[serfty]

I think this thread is mainly about Economy soft product...

 

[JessicaTam]

I think this thread is mainly about Economy soft product...

Duly noted.

 

[MarkD]

I consider VA on par with JQ. They are no match for QF. There is simply no comparison whatsoever. As a platinum though, I persist on domestic flights due to Priority boarding, lounge etc. WIll see whether they start selling those things domestically like international. If they do, I will buy Qantas club and build status with QF.

 

[J.Alfred.Pruflock]

Other than a Perth run every three months or so which I do on a VA 330 in J via an upgrade me bid costing between $600 -$700, I've largely abandoned VA cause I think both their bog standard domestic product is pretty bad these days. I'm Gold Coast based and often fly on JQ for peanuts via their best fare guarantee and can still use the Q pub at OOL when flying out.

it interests me that a couple of other people in this forum have noted JQ's OOL - CNS service. I use it a bit. I thought I was the only one onto it. Seems not. It's a handy service. I would be fabulous if QF ran, say, an evening service to complement JQ's early morning run. In fact, it would be fabulous if QF got serious about the coast and put in more flights to more places. The market is there- just check out the filled seats on the existing flights.

Sorry, a bit off topic. Flay me

 

[JohnK]

VA still wins for me with fly ahead, family pooling, the odd J sale and redemption taxes but fall behind in a strong int alliance.

Family pooling is excellent. Earn status including lounge access with very little flying on Virgin.

 

[samas]

Last night 31/5 VA693 MEL to PER

Option of pepper chicken or a "bowtie capsicum pasta"

Delivered wrapped in a paper towel with the roll on top.
The pepper chicken actually tasted delicious, better than my last J meal, just the proportion of rice was high.

Later on the crew came around offering a sweet or savoury snack, i chose the sweet, the savoury was a packet of nuts.

 

[Mattg]

Last night 31/5 VA693 MEL to PER

Option of pepper chicken or a "bowtie capsicum pasta"

Delivered wrapped in a paper towel with the roll on top.
The pepper chicken actually tasted delicious, better than my last J meal, just the proportion of rice was high.

Later on the crew came around offering a sweet or savoury snack, i chose the sweet, the savoury was a packet of nuts.

That hot dish actually looks half decent, but the paper towl it's sitting on looks so cheap!

 

[JohnK]

That hot dish actually looks half decent, but the paper towl it's sitting on looks so cheap!

Agreed. The meal would look better if the paper towel was not so cheap.

 

[Pleb Status]

To nitpick, the plastic packaging of the cutlery also appears (and feels) cheap versus the paper packaging that QF use. It is no different to most other major airlines however so is an extremely minor issue.