Here is my comparison with QF and VA using J transcon.
I have been a loyal VA flyer for the 10 or so years and decided to give QF a try to see if the grass was greener over the other side.
Flights:
QF575 - 9th May 2017 Syd to Perth
VA556 - 22nd May 2017 Perth to Syd
Both flights were using points plus pay.
QF - 36,000 points + $40.07
VA - 38,200 points + $17.55
Check in:
QF: Having not been to the QF terminal for a long time it took a couple of minutes to find the check in counter. No line straight up to check in agent and was all done in a minute or two. One thing I did notice was there was no mention of lounge access or where it was located. As I am a red member I would have though this would have been mentioned.
VA: Straight up to priority check in and was all over in a minute or two. As I am now Silver with VA I was told that I could use the Lounge and was given instructions as to where it was. To finish the check in agent said "Enjoy your flight Mr Mogul".
Lounges:
QF: After having located the business lounge in I went. First impressions were it was rather busy but it was still easy to find a seat. Food on offer was far superior to what VA offer. Yes I know this was the business lounge but this is what is on offer for J pax. I found overall the lounge needed a freshen up with paint peeling off the walls in places and the toilets were definately not up to standard with the cupboards falling apart and paint missing off the walls.
VA: Lounge was just about empty with only 5 or 6 other people in it, although it did become busier towards the end. Food was normal VA stuff with nothing special. Overall the appearance of the lounge and the lounge toilets was far superior to QF. Keep in mind this lounge is in the new terminal so I wouldn't expect anything less.
Boarding:
QF: Priority boarding and normal boarding lanes clearly marked. Boarding didn't commence until 5 mins before departure was scheduled as a result both the priority lanes and normal lanes both had large que's of pax waiting to board. Once boarding commenced I was seated in a matter of minutes.
VA: Once boarding was called a couple of pax went to priority boarding who were not entitled to it and sent back to the end of the que. Apart from that no lines and straight on.
ON Board:
QF: Found my seat 5K sat down and started exploring the seat and all it's little pockets. It wasn't until pushback the any crew member came near me, I was offered a very quick juice or water and that was it, no introduction no nothing.
A short time after take off meal and drink orders were taken. A little while later the dreaded cart arrived with breakfast, it was at this point that my first real interaction with the crew took place. The CSM introduced himself and served breakfast. To be honest the breakfast was more than underwhelming it was disgraceful, I had the omlette which literally just an omlette no garnish no sauce no nothing. I was offered a couple bits of sourdough and that was breakfast.
The seat had plenty of room and more legroom than VA in the fully flat position which I preferred. As the storage area was next to window I felt a little too close to the aisle especially when the cart was there. The seat felt harder than VA's which I found a little more comfortable overall.
J cabin was full for this flight.
VA: Sat in 3K. Crew member come up straight away and introduced themselves and asked if I had flown J with VA before and offered to go through seat, TV, etc operation. Pre departure drink order taken as well.
After take off CSM come around and introduced themselves while handing out hot towels. A short time later newspapers were offered.
Lunch orders were taken shortly after with a full 3 course meal provided. The main difference here apart from the quality of the food was the almost like personal butler service that VA does very well. No cart to been seen all food hand delivered on a tray with proper salt and pepper shakers.
As I said before I find VA seat's very comfortable except for the legroom in fully flat mode, QF's definately have a lot more foot room. VA's angled seat also tends to feels a bit more personal than QF's.
QF arrived about hour an hour late into Perth and VA was about 15 mins early no biggy in the scheme of things.
My opinion is that there is very difference in the overall hard product offered by both QF and VA and would be happy to fly either again in the future. The big difference for me was the soft product was definately a lot better on VA.
In the end we the consumer are the winners as both airlines offer a fantastic J product on the transcon route, will this continue with VA putting some of there A330's on the Hong Kong route only time will tell.
I have been a loyal VA flyer for the 10 or so years and decided to give QF a try to see if the grass was greener over the other side.
Flights:
QF575 - 9th May 2017 Syd to Perth
VA556 - 22nd May 2017 Perth to Syd
Both flights were using points plus pay.
QF - 36,000 points + $40.07
VA - 38,200 points + $17.55
Check in:
QF: Having not been to the QF terminal for a long time it took a couple of minutes to find the check in counter. No line straight up to check in agent and was all done in a minute or two. One thing I did notice was there was no mention of lounge access or where it was located. As I am a red member I would have though this would have been mentioned.
VA: Straight up to priority check in and was all over in a minute or two. As I am now Silver with VA I was told that I could use the Lounge and was given instructions as to where it was. To finish the check in agent said "Enjoy your flight Mr Mogul".
Lounges:
QF: After having located the business lounge in I went. First impressions were it was rather busy but it was still easy to find a seat. Food on offer was far superior to what VA offer. Yes I know this was the business lounge but this is what is on offer for J pax. I found overall the lounge needed a freshen up with paint peeling off the walls in places and the toilets were definately not up to standard with the cupboards falling apart and paint missing off the walls.
VA: Lounge was just about empty with only 5 or 6 other people in it, although it did become busier towards the end. Food was normal VA stuff with nothing special. Overall the appearance of the lounge and the lounge toilets was far superior to QF. Keep in mind this lounge is in the new terminal so I wouldn't expect anything less.
Boarding:
QF: Priority boarding and normal boarding lanes clearly marked. Boarding didn't commence until 5 mins before departure was scheduled as a result both the priority lanes and normal lanes both had large que's of pax waiting to board. Once boarding commenced I was seated in a matter of minutes.
VA: Once boarding was called a couple of pax went to priority boarding who were not entitled to it and sent back to the end of the que. Apart from that no lines and straight on.
ON Board:
QF: Found my seat 5K sat down and started exploring the seat and all it's little pockets. It wasn't until pushback the any crew member came near me, I was offered a very quick juice or water and that was it, no introduction no nothing.
A short time after take off meal and drink orders were taken. A little while later the dreaded cart arrived with breakfast, it was at this point that my first real interaction with the crew took place. The CSM introduced himself and served breakfast. To be honest the breakfast was more than underwhelming it was disgraceful, I had the omlette which literally just an omlette no garnish no sauce no nothing. I was offered a couple bits of sourdough and that was breakfast.
The seat had plenty of room and more legroom than VA in the fully flat position which I preferred. As the storage area was next to window I felt a little too close to the aisle especially when the cart was there. The seat felt harder than VA's which I found a little more comfortable overall.
J cabin was full for this flight.
VA: Sat in 3K. Crew member come up straight away and introduced themselves and asked if I had flown J with VA before and offered to go through seat, TV, etc operation. Pre departure drink order taken as well.
After take off CSM come around and introduced themselves while handing out hot towels. A short time later newspapers were offered.
Lunch orders were taken shortly after with a full 3 course meal provided. The main difference here apart from the quality of the food was the almost like personal butler service that VA does very well. No cart to been seen all food hand delivered on a tray with proper salt and pepper shakers.
As I said before I find VA seat's very comfortable except for the legroom in fully flat mode, QF's definately have a lot more foot room. VA's angled seat also tends to feels a bit more personal than QF's.
QF arrived about hour an hour late into Perth and VA was about 15 mins early no biggy in the scheme of things.
My opinion is that there is very difference in the overall hard product offered by both QF and VA and would be happy to fly either again in the future. The big difference for me was the soft product was definately a lot better on VA.
In the end we the consumer are the winners as both airlines offer a fantastic J product on the transcon route, will this continue with VA putting some of there A330's on the Hong Kong route only time will tell.
after experiencing cart/no cart over a number of international J flights recently (not QF or VA).
