Things Virgin Australia Does & Doesn’t Do Well

[MooTime]

I love a tie for special occasions.
Look smart, class.

 

[ben95]

Just returned from Bali and my 1st time flying VA for SHI. I was both disappointed and surprised.

Check in at MEL T2 was disaapointing. The priority counter lacked the usual VA purple bollard or any retractable belt thing to indicate the start of the line so was a bit confusing. Also holding a non-aussie passport apparently was too much for VA's check-in system so it took 3 agent (apparently some training going on and the first agent had to explain everything he was doing to the 2nd agent and at the same time make small talk with us) and some manual data entry and over 10 minutes to check me in. Also the staff forgot to put on priority tags for my checked baggage ;(

On return at DPS I was pleasantly surprised - the check in counter was doing 3 flights at the same time but there was barely any queing. The local ground service contractor even managed to get full VA branding onto all the monitors above the desks and they had the usual bollars at both the economy and priority queue entrace! Something VA could not manage to do at Melbourne where they have plenty of those just next door at the domestic check-in. There was no chit chatting, everything was friendly but more importantly extremely efficient, took no more than 3 minutes for my bags to be checked and boarding passes issued, with my bags properly tagged. At the gate boarding was done with full VA standard, even the announcements are word for word what you'd hear at a domestic VA flight. Boarding was from a bus gate, and the first bus was reserved for premium + passenger requiring special assistace, and the staff even made sure to not disembard the 2nd bus until the passenger from the first bus could make their way onto the air stair, truly ensuring priority boarding was done well.

Of course the staff on both flights were lovely as usual. The same could not be said for the business seat if you have a lap infant. The seat itself is comfortable but the centre console really made it difficult to put the baby down for a nap caz the seat is not wide enough - highly recommend to just book an extra economy seat and if you have 2 parent traveling then you'd get the whole row to yourself.

 

[Saab34]

I’m fairly sure VA Melbourne International checkin staff is Swissport? Domestic is all in-house at Melbourne.

They are often a bit more sloppy compared to VA Payroll staff.

 

[twinaisle]

I’m fairly sure VA Melbourne International checkin staff is Swissport? Domestic is all in-house at Melbourne.

They are often a bit more sloppy compared to VA Payroll staff.

The sloppy staff you are referring to are actually VA employed.

 

[Harrison_133]

I’m fairly sure VA Melbourne International checkin staff is Swissport? Domestic is all in-house at Melbourne.

They are often a bit more sloppy compared to VA Payroll staff.

Nope. The VA in-house staff do both Domestic & International.

 

[Saab34]

I see. I remember back in the day Aerocare then Swissport handled all International 737 departures from the major capitals. When did VA takeover?

 

[Harrison_133]

I see. I remember back in the day Aerocare then Swissport handled all International departures from the major capitals. When did VA takeover?

Check-in has been in-house since VA resumed international operations post-covid. Ground handling was brought in-house in early 2024.

 

[twinaisle]

I see. I remember back in the day Aerocare then Swissport handled all International 737 departures from the major capitals. When did VA takeover?

The last to be taken over was baggage/ramp/pushback but it's been a few years.

 

[MooTime]

We've used VA international in MEL couple times for SHI and had no issues, fine staff.

 

[simmomelb]

We've used VA international in MEL couple times for SHI and had no issues, fine staff.

Yeah I've not had any issues with VA check-in in MEL for international either. All very courteous and efficient from my experience.
Just disappointed not having a lounge in international VA metal, but that's another topic.

 

[AIRwin]

Just disappointed not having a lounge in international VA metal, but that's another topic.

Use the domestic lounge instead?

 

[simmomelb]

Use the domestic lounge instead?

That would require a very early check-in, as you'd first need to drop your checked in bags in international first, then walk all the way to security in domestic, then after you've finished walk all the way back to international and go through all the security, ID checks, pass though duty free, then all the way up to find your gate.
I considered it once but it's all just too much work and I'd want to be at international at least 4 + hours before departure.
Hard to relax in a lounge when you know you still have to head back to international and go through security a second time IMO.
Adelaide and GC are fine for this as it's all very close.

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

I think you will find that the priority tag is the actually built into the barcoded baggage tag - the bright orange slip in tag is just for show,,,

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think you will find that the priority tag is the actually built into the barcoded baggage tag - the bright orange slip in tag is just for show,,,

So the airlines ‘say’.

How does a baggage handler spot the inbuilt priority code? Thr bright orange tag makes those bags easy to spot, no guesswork.

 

[History]

I think Virgin Australia, considering the war in the Middle East and the ongoing cancellations with Qatar Airways, should offer a temporary status point increase for partner airlines and short-haul international. My silver status will probably lapse in November this year, the points earned from SIA Australia to Europe will not cover what I need, I'll be short by 5-10 points.

 

[jakeseven7]

I’d disagree with Virgin does priority boarding well. The enforcement is just inconsistent.

Ugh a total mess out of Sydney last night again. Per all the other posts the same culprit - I was at gate as PB was announced, and I timed them on my phone for fun. Tonight, PB was given for 23 seconds. Seriously. Something must be up with their staff, maybe they’ve been directed to just shove anyone on as quickly as possible?

 

[clifford]

The biggie. VA (and Velocity) doesn't select competent senior management.

Everything else flows from that.

 

[engbren]

I fly VA more often than Qantas because their flights are more compliant with my corporate travel policy ie typically at least $30-$50 cheaper per segment.

It’s definitely easier to attain and retain status. As someone who flies enough to be gold on VA but not on QF and mostly flies domestically, the VA offering suits well.

The lack of international lounge access and confusing mix of benefits with partners is odd but even QF has strange mix - I recently flew with Emirates and supplied my QFF number and only received points but no SC.

The lounge food offering could definitely improve but is better than the old AA Admirals lounges that just had carrot and celery sticks. The onboard food and beverage service is severely lacking relative to QF but since I fly frequently, it’s a known problem.

with regards to rewards redemption, I’ve found them to be poor. Most flights need more points to book, with limited availability when I’ve tried to book. I’ve found QFF far superior from a rewards seat availability and pricing perspective.

 

[AIRwin]

I recently flew with Emirates and supplied my QFF number and only received points but no SC.

You'll need to book a QF8xx_ codeshare flight number operated by Emirates

 

[clifford]

I fly VA more often than Qantas because their flights are more compliant with my corporate travel policy ie typically at least $30-$50 cheaper per segment.

It’s definitely easier to attain and retain status. As someone who flies enough to be gold on VA but not on QF and mostly flies domestically, the VA offering suits well.

The lack of international lounge access and confusing mix of benefits with partners is odd but even QF has strange mix - I recently flew with Emirates and supplied my QFF number and only received points but no SC.

The lounge food offering could definitely improve but is better than the old AA Admirals lounges that just had carrot and celery sticks. The onboard food and beverage service is severely lacking relative to QF but since I fly frequently, it’s a known problem.

with regards to rewards redemption, I’ve found them to be poor. Most flights need more points to book, with limited availability when I’ve tried to book. I’ve found QFF far superior from a rewards seat availability and pricing perspective.

Well, there's some interesting points there.

From my point of view it's easier to get QF Plat than VA Plat (so I've given VA away, as it's not competitive at all).

Other than that, you seem to be extolling the virues of QFF over Velocity. I find it slightly more nuanced, but you're on the right track...