Reggie starting to fly DJ

[Reggie]

Just tried to have a look at my booking, all ok, but when I go to online checkin to relook at available seats its a no go, I receive an error message. With QF you can go back in after checkin and choose a different seat, not that I do this often, actually I don't think I have ever changed.

Just means make sure you know which seat you want becuase there is no changing online, you may be able to at bag drop or lounge, I'll find out tomorrow.

 

[Jasecoop]

I think it is time to lookup the virgin schedule for my next flight adl per. Especially if the qf flight is a 734, J class doesn't cut it for the price

 

[Reggie]

OK Checkin was great. No Queue, waited 30 seconds for checkin person tofinish with previous pax. Asked if I could change seats, was told yes, but I left my selection as it was. Didin't see any priority tagging of my baggage, but not sure if this si a benefit that DJ offer. Will see at the other end. Was told that the seats are TRUE PE seats, so that will be good, lets hope there is IFE.

Security was a breeze, no wait time, straight through great, (alos avoided the explosives test )

Into the Lounge, its the old Gold Wing Lounge, spent many an hour here in the old days. Not going to spend too much time on this as I am sure it has been done heaps before. I do notice that no outside access appears availabel as in the Gold Wing days.

Lounge was absolutely chockers for the first 20mins, however it quickly emptied when the Jaffa's left (The Gold Coast AFL team). It wasn't a RED lounge there was soooo much orange I need to wear my sunnies. After their depature there were only 3 pax including me left in the lounge.

I am unsure fo the paper situation on the plane, so will go and buy one at the newsagent.

Other than that, so far Virgin have impressed, very helpful and bubbly staff, great lounge when not full, breakfast selection ok, no hot food like QF DOM J. I don't drink coffee so the barista doesn't gain any brownie points from me.

 

[markis10]

OK Checkin was great. No Queue, waited 30 seconds for checkin person tofinish with previous pax. Asked if I could change seats, was told yes, but I left my selection as it was. Didin't see any priority tagging of my baggage, but not sure if this si a benefit that DJ offer. Will see at the other end. Was told that the seats are TRUE PE seats, so that will be good, lets hope there is IFE.

Other than that, so far Virgin have impressed, very helpful and bubbly staff, great lounge when not full, breakfast selection ok, no hot food like QF DOM J. I don't drink coffee so the barista doesn't gain any brownie points from me.

You would not get hot food in the other Perth lounge anyway so its a moot point in that respect, however you do get Barista coffee all day! As for the priority tagging, the only chance for that to happen on a domestic flight I believe is if you are ironically a VS Gold Member, not even DJ Gold get it but they do get free luggage :

- Priority Baggage: As a (VS) Gold member, you will receive 'International Business' baggage tags.

 

[lovestotravel]

Interesting point regarding the footy players in lounges.

That is going to add a large number of passengers in the lounges each week during the season!

 

[ozmille]

Interesting point regarding the footy players in lounges.

That is going to add a large number of passengers in the lounges each week during the season!

Does this mean the QF lounges will be quieter?

 

[Reggie]

I left the lounge early to see what would happen at boarding time.

Boarding was called, and priority boarding was called for premium economy, Virgin Gold, and other partner airlines premium FFer’s. I tried to move towards the gate attendant to make use of this, but everyone rushed the gate and there was no chance of any priority boarding. So I waited in line some 50 pax back, went through gate down the stairs and then we were held up in the glass run at PER Dom. We weren’t sure why we were held there for about 5 mins, but then I worked out it was due to a wheelchair bound pax being seated, once the wheelchair and the lift was removed. We were allowed to board. I am undeure how fun it will be walking out on to the apron (no air bridge) during rain.

On board, was greeted politely, not sure exactly what she said to me, but certainly more emphasis than the previous couple of pax. I was in row 2 of 3 of the red Y+ seats. My preference would be to avoid seat 1A and 1C as there is no bulkhead. 1C would be the worst getting bumped all during boarding, and then for toilet usage and waiting.

 

[Reggie]

You would not get hot food in the other Perth lounge anyway so its a moot point in that respect, however you do get Barista coffee all day!

I know I wouldn't get it in PER at QF, but I would (if I wanted it) in SYD in the DOM J lounge. I was making an observation.

 

[markis10]

I know I wouldn't get it in PER at QF, but I would (if I wanted it) in SYD in the DOM J lounge. I was making an observation.

No worries, I think the J lounges are vastly overated, and that includes the hot food which can be sporadic in availability at times. Previously DJ has done a good range of hot food in the afternoon/evening but I am not sure if its still done, in particular the Sydney lounge had a good range of hot pastas etc and all of them had a risotto.

 

[Reggie]

No worries, I think the J lounges are vastly overated, and that includes the hot food which can be sporadic in availability at times.

Mmm funnily enough I agree, saw the breakfast first hand in QF J DOM 2 weeks ago on my way home from the US.

Previously DJ has done a good range of hot food in the afternoon/evening but I am not sure if its still done, in particular the Sydney lounge had a good range of hot pastas etc and all of them had a risotto.

Not flying afternoon on DJ in the planned future, so will have to read what someone else finds about this.

 

[Reggie]

Seat was very comfortable, the armrests where moved inwards to the middle seat which had the convertible centre table in it, making the seat suitably wide for a heavy bloke like myself. The FA’s – well let’s say it was a pleasant change when compared to QF (think QF versus AA). When I boarded there was a bottle of water and a set of earphones on the table for me. After takeoff the IFE entertainment was started, sort off. The crew had many troubles at the start having to reset it a few time. When the system started working an FA came and ran a card through the system so I could use the Live2Air. However when I went to watch a movie “Conviction” the system wanted another $10.00ish. I asked the FA and she ran her card through it again, about 20 mins into the movie it cut out, and there was no movies showing on either of the 3 channels. The Live2air was still working though. When I asked the FA, she said sorry but they had been having troubles with the system.

Service was great, I did however feel funny asking for food / drinks, nothing they did just myself. After my Morish Nuts and Soft Drink I was asked if I wanted anything else, I said I was hoping for the hot meal around lunch time, but was told “sorry we have no hot food on this flight, but I do have plenty of yummy sandwiches) I do want to point out the FA said this in a very polite and warm way.

Later in the flight I had another soft drink and some cheese and biscuits. Interestingly the slices of cheese matched the number of crackers.

 

[DJ 1D]

Great thread, very interesting to see a fresh perspective!

(In case you didn't notice, I always choose 1D as my preference)

 

[lovestotravel]

DJ really need hot food on more flights.

I don't always feel like a damn sandwhich....

I am sure the "relaunch" will fix that in the next few months

 

[Oneworldplus2]

DJ really need hot food on more flights.

I don't always feel like a damn sandwhich....

+1
More options would be fantastic.

 

[Major]

As long as they flick the Caesar wrap

 

[Reggie]

Just to finish my experience with my first flight.

I asked one of the FA's what she though of the new uniforms, and she said she thought they were more professional. I asked about the lack of pockets, and she told me it was a good idea as it stopped people putting their hands in their pockets which wasn't the image the company wanted to give, and added, "not business like"

When plane landed we were able to turn on our mobile phones, but the pax leaving by the rear stairs were warned they would need to turn their's off again before deplaning.

Unlike ALL my QF flights there was no big rush to stand up when the seat belt light was turned off, there was no jostling etc. I was very surprised, people sat down waited for the air bridge to start moving, then a few people got up to get their carry-on, but no hustle and pushing to get to the front etc. A very civalised experience.

Went down stairs for my baggage, other than coming out on the same belt as the plane before, my baggage came out earlyish, there was no belt hoggers, and having to push through people to get bags etc. Once again very civalised.

 

[Reggie]

So, in summary, as a very frequent flyer of QF, I found the Virgin flight PER-SYD excellent. I found the pax whilst interesting, casually attired, to be very civilised. There were no DYKWIA's, or nobs in suits who thought they were better than everyone else. The FA's were brilliant. Having my own TV was wonderful, I am sick of the old bulkhead mounted tiny discoloured screend QF have in their fleet.

Things I think could be improved, lack of hot meal(s), ability to have a seat preference in profile or booking, fix the entertainment system, lack of a pillow. Are these deal breakers - NO. Will I fly DJ again - YES, this Friday SYD-PER.

To other QFFer's and QF corporate travellers, give DJ a go, things have changed for the better, and from what we have been told, they will continue to get better.

Anyway, thats all for now, I'll report back on my SYD-PER flight in the coming days.

 

[Moopere]

Thanks for your detailed thread Reggie. I'm watching DJ with considerable interest this year and threads like this one really help.

 

[lovestotravel]

By the end of the year DJ is going to be quite impressive I think.

I did read that all aircraft were going to be rolled out with new seats between June and December!

So new seats, seat back TV's

Will be very nice once the newer style Boeing 737's with the sky interior start to arrive in Junish from memory. Granted Qantas is getting these as well but it's still a fresh look for DJ

New uniforms
New menus
Changes to the FF program (enhancements?) :shock: or :mrgreen:

 

[Reggie]

I forgot to note that the points credited to my FFer account with no problems 2 days after my flight.