Recent trips with VAustralia

[elight]

MEL-SYD-LAX, 4 April 2009
A few observations:

• no onboard dutyfree shopping nor a magazine;
• no coffee or tea was served at International Economy after dinner (International Premium Economy was served);
• some 45 minutes after the Premium Economy was put to sleep, the food trays at the Economy were still waiting to be collected. Like others, I just fell asleep;
• I was waken up around 2 am when an attendant threw newspapers I left on the chair next to me to the floor and onto my left leg. He apologised
• the attendant collecting breakfast trays (which was different from the serving attendant) for seats G to K was taught by another attendant as how to retire the food trays into the trolley;
• the curtain between the Premium Economy and Economy was constantly pushed into me when attendants passed through.

LAX-SYD-MEL, 11 April 2009
The ground staff at LAX were inexperienced and suffered the same lack of confidence as some the the flight attendants. No incidents onboard otherwise.


PS. I would love to avoid flying with Virgin Blue again.


Conclusion:
In terms of the entertainment system and the choice of food, V Australia is doing a very good job.

I thought V Australia experienced extended delay with delivery of its airplanes; but my experience made me wonder if V Australia is ready if it could not even carry out the essential tasks.

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

no onboard dutyfree shopping

Buy at an airport, it's probably cheaper, and it adds to the weight of the aircraft.

no coffee or tea was served at International Economy after dinner

Should have been served after dinner service, not good

some 45 minutes after the Premium Economy was put to sleep

VA practice euthanasia on PE passengers?

the curtain between the Premium Economy and Economy was constantly pushed into me when attendants passed through.

It happens, get over it, Emirates seem to have this problem as well.

I would love to avoid flying with Virgin Blue again.

I'm sure Virgin Blue would love that too :mrgreen:

Cheers
DJ737

 

[vet]

Boy, you'd really hate flying Qantas then.

We've had great cash and points flights in economy on V to LA. Much better and faarrr more leg room than the trips on Qantas in 08. I could have uused qff points but one trip we paid cash for V seats. I don't regret it.

Fast check in. Departures and arrivals on schedule.

A lass helped our over oversize gear get loaded.

They allocated us spare seats so we had a 'bed'each.

There was no excess baggage extortion.

We ate before we flew - and on board the Food was as nice (and frugal) as airline food goes (though I'd get fat on AirNZ's pointy end).

There could've been more coffee runs at night, or just buzz them. They did hand out water bottles at one stage.

On arrival we had trouble getting thru immigration quickly. 1.5 hours later V staff took us to our bags, and then showed us where our oversize bags were kept securely.

We've book V for 2010 on points, and frankly I'm not looking forward to having to use my qff points for qantas flights. We've got plenty of points to use, but damned if I'm risking been squeezed like a sardine again into a qantas seat.

 

[MissBurrill]

VA practice euthanasia on PE passengers?


I'm sure Virgin Blue would love that too :mrgreen:

Thank you for giving me a laugh.

 

[Alanslegal]

Thanks elight for your quick review.

I'm going to have to slightly nitpick at your comments - and say the following;-

I personally would not buy duty free on the outbound flight as it means I have to lug/store/pack whatever I've bought for the remains of my travels.

No magazines? Hmm... maybe its easier to bring your own magazine/novel/etc as its something that You would like to read rather than what is given.

Not serving tea/coffee is a bit of a downer - but I wouldn't drink either if I was going to try and get some sleep, (trying to sleep in economy is hard as it is).

45minutes for them to collect the remains of your meal etc is sometimes a regular occurrence in economy and on many carriers. If you're up front in economy, they're probably still serving meals towards the end of the back given the amount of passengers needed to be served etc.

Why would an attendant at 2am and many hours before landing pick up the newspaper on an empty seat and throw it onto the ground for? if that was me, the reasonable thing is 1) either to pick it up and dispose of it or 2) leave it there given its not affecting anyone. I'm guessing the attendant has accidentally bumped/nudged it whilst walking past.

There is nothing wrong with on-the-job training IMO. Sure the attendants could practice on-ground, in the classroom, but sometimes practical experience and on-board guidance is 10x better than what is taught/trained in the classroom.

And the curtain issue - again not an exclusive problem with VA and can/will happen on other airlines. Otherwise choose a seat which is not near a curtain (but hope the person in front of you doesn't recline all the way back) - I know which seat I would take

 

[ANstar]

No magazines? Hmm... maybe its easier to bring your own magazine/novel/etc as its something that You would like to read rather than what is given.

Must of been a problem with loading or somethign as they do have an inflight mag called "View" I believe.... or so I was tweeted by V Australia....

 

[FL360]

I love V Australia although I have never tried them is simply because
they keep QF's USA fares low, the $1,000 difference in fares makes up a lot !

It roughly equivalent to :

100 magazines, yours to own
300 coffees or teas for you to enjoy !
3 really nice dinners for two.

 

[oz_mark]

I love V Australia although I have never tried them is simply because
they keep QF's USA fares low, the $1,000 difference in fares makes up a lot !

If everyone has that attitude then the competition will go away and prices will go up to where they were. If you want competition to keep prices low, the competition needs to be supported.

 

[FL360]

I never tried them because I do not have enough leave to go anywhere,

however if I do want a USA flight I would consider different
points at the time of booking, the price of the ticket of course
included....

 

[elight]

Hi there

VA practice euthanasia on PE passengers?

It happens, get over it, Emirates seem to have this problem as well.

I'm sure Virgin Blue would love that too :mrgreen:

Cheers
DJ737

Actually my comments did not intend to be sarcastic but to offer my observations from the trip.

Compare to many of you, I have limited travel experience but I did fly, e.g., Qantas, JAL, Singapore, United, Thai, Air China and Jetstar. Would love to try Emirates or Etihad for EU destinations one day.

V Australia holds itself out for services and also as a "broker" for market competitiveness. Whatever the branding, it should make sure the essential tasks are carried out properly. To me, value adding services only kicks in or impress if the essential tasks are done properly.

Sure I don't need the magazine, the coffee/tea, onboard dutyfree or even food but doesn't it mean the airline should not offer them.

As for the onboard dutyfree, I mentioned it because there is a "coming soon" notice in the entertainment system and it is part of the fact to support my conclusion that V Australia may not be that ready to lunch LA service.

I forgot to mention that the reason the newspaper were thrown to the floor was because an older couple complained their entertainment system was not work and they were, overnight, moved next to me.

The only reason I won't fly Virgin Blue is its branding, no more.

 

[Arthur Hodgson]

If everyone has that attitude then the competition will go away and prices will go up to where they were. If you want competition to keep prices low, the competition needs to be supported.

Yes, I agree, but it needs to be worthy competition. My experience of Virgin Blue is that the airline is let down by poor quality staff (which also seems to be the OP's experience). A further problem is a lack of a worthwhile FF scheme.


If Virgin really wants to compete it will need to address these major problems (which I don't believe it can as they are too entrenched).

 

[ANstar]

My experience of Virgin Blue is that the airline is let down by poor quality staff quote]

Thats your opinon. I personally have always had great service from the DJ staff I have interacted with.

 

[thegurio]

Thats your opinon. I personally have always had great service from the DJ staff I have interacted with.

Must admit from a purely domestic point of view, DJ staff have always been quite good, if a little "comical" if you get what i mean - sure they are relaxed but that is what the airline is all about and what i guess is there bent.

 

[elight]

Must admit from a purely domestic point of view, DJ staff have always been quite good, if a little "comical" if you get what i mean - sure they are relaxed but that is what the airline is all about and what i guess is there bent.

I think it is not "comical" but, to some extent, been a bit less disciplined and sometimes even "flirtatious". In turn, this encourages some travelers to be, at least, loud while been participatory. Sure relaxing to some but what if I need the hours onboard to get some rest?

I do not mean to be harsh but I never thought Virgin Blue (part-owned by an multinational company) is the underdog in the Australian domestic market. True, Virgin Blue helped with the domestic market competition for a while but the existence of Tiger Air is the best evidence that the competition and the prices were not substantially reduced.

 

[pauly7]

I do not mean to be harsh but I never thought Virgin Blue (part-owned by an multinational company) is the underdog in the Australian domestic market. True, Virgin Blue helped with the domestic market competition for a while but the existence of Tiger Air is the best evidence that the competition and the prices were not substantially reduced.

I think this is more because DJ don't consider themselves a LCC anymore and therefore price accordingly.

 

[Arthur Hodgson]

I think this is more because DJ don't consider themselves a LCC anymore and therefore price accordingly.

That may be so, but they still act as an LCC.

 

[ANstar]

That may be so, but they still act as an LCC.

I disagree.

Fly Tiger and then come back and say that!

 

[Arthur Hodgson]

I disagree.

Fly Tiger and then come back and say that!

Ah yes, but I do. With Tiger I can get an exit row seat gratis (as well as a nice smiling FA).

Can't get either on DJ.

 

[ANstar]

Ah yes, but I do. With Tiger I can get an exit row seat gratis (as well as a nice smiling FA).

Can't get either on DJ.

You can get both on DJ. Not sure what flights you get on, but I usually have smiling FA's on DJ.

Also worth noting you can not select an exit row on Virgin OR tiger for free. If you are lucky enough to get one at check in then good on you (you can also get this with DJ).

I'd say you would be in the minority though preferring Tiger over Virgin Blue. When was the last time you actually flew Virgin Blue? Yiu seem pretty quick to criticise them and V Australia at any opportunity, so I preusme it has been a while?

 

[Arthur Hodgson]

You can get both on DJ. Not sure what flights you get on, but I usually have smiling FA's on DJ.

Also worth noting you can not select an exit row on Virgin OR tiger for free. If you are lucky enough to get one at check in then good on you (you can also get this with DJ).

I'd say you would be in the minority though preferring Tiger over Virgin Blue.

The fares are better, and SQ ensures they fly on time (more or less).