mandmshow
Junior Member
- Joined
- May 10, 2010
- Posts
- 20
Thought I would inform everyone of my experience last week. I have traveled this route many times (Plat) and since the last time (November) there have been some changes.
- Sydney airport check-in very efficient as usual however for the first time they were unable to issue me with my second boarding pass for my internal US city. "The system won't release it". This meant that on arriving in LAX I had to find a check-in machine or desk (which doesn't exist in TBIT) before I could go through security at the Delta terminal. This is the first time this has happened.
- Express pass from Sydney check-in to get through immigration very useful on a weekend morning. At least for immigration, not used for security so it lives for another day
- Used the new Etihad lounge while the Air NZ lounge is still being refurbished. I was a little disappointed in the size of the lounge and I thought the food was basic (having flown Etihad Business class previously and considered the food the best airline food I have ever had). To each his own - first world problem.
- Onboard VA1 the Premium Economy cabin looks tired, especially row 10 who's seats don't recline/stand up properly and the armrest/screens are decidedly sagging. Expect this will be fixed in the reconfig later this year.
- The menus have just been changed for VA1 and VA2 - they can be found here International Long Haul | Virgin Australia
- LA and some other US cities (incl Dallas) have introduced new arrival machines to "speed up" the process for those who have used the same ESTA and passport to previously arrive in the US. They are shocking - they do not work properly to scan your fingerprints and you waste a lot of time at them. Eventually in my 3 experiences you get the "rejection printout" with an X through your photo and you have to stand in another line wasting much more time than ever before to be interrogated and have fingerprints taken by an official. Maybe this is related to the question of visit purpose ie. Tourist vs biz but as I am always there on business I don't know if tourists have it any easier.
- Delta operate from Terminal 5 and also some flights from Terminal 6. I walked to Terminal 5 to obtain my boarding pass but then had to walk to Terminal 6 for my departure. The LAX refurbishments haven't reached Terminal 6 yet (Alaskan Airlines) so if you go there do not expect very much - it's REALLY terrible - about 4 shops - one coffee shop with a very long queue. Terminal 6 does have an underground link back to Terminal 5 on the Airside so you can get to the Sky Club if you are entitled to that. I couldn't be bothered walking all the way back myself - that Sky Lounge is pretty dire also.
- I quite like Delta Economy service on internal US flights, very nice staff and regular food (for sale), coffee and water offerings. Just don't expect the Australian domestic experience and entertainment offering depends on aircraft types. Plats now get extra benefits such as free premium entertainment and free Comfort Plus seats/free drinks but depends on aircraft type also.
- On the way home, on arrival back in LAX at the Star Alliance Lounge in TBIT they directed me to the Business Class section for the first time. I told them I was Plat and usually use the First Class area (which actually isn't great but the champers is). The attendant said "it's usually very busy let me check" and after consulting the First class lounge staff I was admitted. In the 5 hours I was there I saw a grand total of 5 people. If I didn't know the drill I would have just been in the Biz lounge.
- I had no acknowledgement of my Plat status on VA1 from Sydney which is usually the case but for the first time after departing LA I was greeted by the Cabin Manager and was acknowledged and offered a newspaper. Again, this has never happened before which was a nice touch.
- All up, absolutely no complaints with the flights and friendly crews, but I just thought I would post and assist others. Safe travels to all !
- Sydney airport check-in very efficient as usual however for the first time they were unable to issue me with my second boarding pass for my internal US city. "The system won't release it". This meant that on arriving in LAX I had to find a check-in machine or desk (which doesn't exist in TBIT) before I could go through security at the Delta terminal. This is the first time this has happened.
- Express pass from Sydney check-in to get through immigration very useful on a weekend morning. At least for immigration, not used for security so it lives for another day
- Used the new Etihad lounge while the Air NZ lounge is still being refurbished. I was a little disappointed in the size of the lounge and I thought the food was basic (having flown Etihad Business class previously and considered the food the best airline food I have ever had). To each his own - first world problem.
- Onboard VA1 the Premium Economy cabin looks tired, especially row 10 who's seats don't recline/stand up properly and the armrest/screens are decidedly sagging. Expect this will be fixed in the reconfig later this year.
- The menus have just been changed for VA1 and VA2 - they can be found here International Long Haul | Virgin Australia
- LA and some other US cities (incl Dallas) have introduced new arrival machines to "speed up" the process for those who have used the same ESTA and passport to previously arrive in the US. They are shocking - they do not work properly to scan your fingerprints and you waste a lot of time at them. Eventually in my 3 experiences you get the "rejection printout" with an X through your photo and you have to stand in another line wasting much more time than ever before to be interrogated and have fingerprints taken by an official. Maybe this is related to the question of visit purpose ie. Tourist vs biz but as I am always there on business I don't know if tourists have it any easier.
- Delta operate from Terminal 5 and also some flights from Terminal 6. I walked to Terminal 5 to obtain my boarding pass but then had to walk to Terminal 6 for my departure. The LAX refurbishments haven't reached Terminal 6 yet (Alaskan Airlines) so if you go there do not expect very much - it's REALLY terrible - about 4 shops - one coffee shop with a very long queue. Terminal 6 does have an underground link back to Terminal 5 on the Airside so you can get to the Sky Club if you are entitled to that. I couldn't be bothered walking all the way back myself - that Sky Lounge is pretty dire also.
- I quite like Delta Economy service on internal US flights, very nice staff and regular food (for sale), coffee and water offerings. Just don't expect the Australian domestic experience and entertainment offering depends on aircraft types. Plats now get extra benefits such as free premium entertainment and free Comfort Plus seats/free drinks but depends on aircraft type also.
- On the way home, on arrival back in LAX at the Star Alliance Lounge in TBIT they directed me to the Business Class section for the first time. I told them I was Plat and usually use the First Class area (which actually isn't great but the champers is). The attendant said "it's usually very busy let me check" and after consulting the First class lounge staff I was admitted. In the 5 hours I was there I saw a grand total of 5 people. If I didn't know the drill I would have just been in the Biz lounge.
- I had no acknowledgement of my Plat status on VA1 from Sydney which is usually the case but for the first time after departing LA I was greeted by the Cabin Manager and was acknowledged and offered a newspaper. Again, this has never happened before which was a nice touch.
- All up, absolutely no complaints with the flights and friendly crews, but I just thought I would post and assist others. Safe travels to all !
