Trip report: VA-VX MEL-LAX-SFO

[notzac]

Hello,

Been a while since I've posted anything, but figured that a few people might want to read about a recent experience of mine: flying V Australia and Virgin America from Melbourne to San Francisco. I've not been able to find any TRs along these lines, so thought that I'd write one and share some photos:

Check In

I got out to MEL at around 3 hours before departure .. god bless Skybus and their efficient service. Even at 3 hours before, check in wasn't set up -- it seemed that they were handling check in for a charter flight up to SYD for some VIPs, but a lovely lass at the customer service desk was able to get me checked in and furnished with express passes and lounge invitations. While she was able to see my VX flight LAX-SFO, their systems aren't integrated enough such that they can supply boarding cards for VX flights (and I hope this is something they intend on fixing). AFF'ers will perhaps be pleased to note that the boarding card was printed on "normal" card stock with an amusing quip on the back:

Back to the check in desk -- on this trip I'm attempting hand luggage only; my bags were weighed (and was a kilo or so over the official 7 kg limit), but was waved through all the same. I have no idea whether there is a "hard limit" above 7kg that they will allow up to (and wasn't about to ask) -- I was just happy to not be forced to check anything.

Having an express pass was definitely helpful getting through security, but I decided to use the regular customs queues (as there was no difference in how long those were) and was thus able to hang on to the express pass for another time. One of the neat things I hadn't initially noticed is that VA don't seem to have separate inbound and outbound passes like QF do -- it's one pass for both. Handy

Seeing as the current lounge VA uses doesn't exactly have the best reputation, I decided to grab brunch at Cafe Vue (of Vue de Monde fame). Coffee and food was reasonably good, service was seriously sub-par. Still, a reasonably priced decent food option isn't what you expect at an airport -- so I wasn't complaining too much. Off to the lounge...

Lounge

Unfortunately, VA are still using the MH lounge in MEL .. and a pretty underwhelming lounge it is. Furnishings that are most charitably described as "shabby", food options that looked decidedly not-fresh, fairly anemic booze selection. Still, both gin and ginger ale were available, so I fixed myself a drink and found the cleanest looking chair to relax in before the flight.

[size=-2]The MH lounge at MEL[/size]

[size=-2]Moar of the MH lounge at MEL[/size]

[size=-2]A sample of the condition of one of the chairs -- and no, I didn't go looking for the worst one[/size]
​

After maybe an hour, people started leaving the lounge .. I didn't hear the flight being called, though I was assured it would be - but decided that I might as well wander up to the gate (especially considering there was no real compelling reason to stay). After following signs to the gate lounge -- I'm still not really familiar with the new part of the International terminal -- I finally set eyes on both my first VA and my first B777 ride:

[size=-2]The coating on the windows in the terminal makes it tough to get a nice looking photo [/size]
​

Boarding was maybe 60% complete and there was basically no queue. The boarding card scanning was split with J and whY+ down one lane and whY down another .. and then the whY+ queue rejoins whY to board at door 2L (J was being boarded at door 1L; always nice to see dual jetbridges, even if I don't get to take advantage of the left hand one myself).

Coming up -- what it's like on board..

 

[Major]

Interesting start, looking forward to the rest.

VA are now using the NZ lounge in BNE which would appear to be much better than the MEL MH lounge. Perhaps VB should talk to NZ MEL.

 

[anat0l]

VA are now using the NZ lounge in BNE which would appear to be much better than the MEL MH lounge. Perhaps VB should talk to NZ MEL.

Within a short period of time, I thought that all lounges on the Eastern seaboard at least would be using the NZ lounges. That was half the point of the NZ alliance (well, not really, but having set up and had the alliance approved, negotiating such a deal would've been far easier).

I've not been able to find any TRs along these lines

I thought there was a TR on the VA flights across the Pacific, although there weren't many pics (or they were at the end). It was written not very long after VA started services. Can't think of how to find it now...

haydensydney has at least one TR on VA, but the one I'm thinking of was a trip to Thailand.

Still, keep it going notzac!

 

[notzac]

Never having been on the inside of a VA plane before, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. One of the first things I noticed is the new staff uniforms, which are stunning. The ladies look great in the red skirts and dresses with the scarf, and the gents look ultra sharp .. the ties and waistcoats are a great combination. I had the opportunity to ask a few of the FAs for their opinions, and the general consensus is that they're really happy to not be wearing "school uniforms" any more.

As you enter, you pass by "row 5" (the super private row of J seating that is somewhat ironically in full view of "the rabble" upon boarding). I was seated in the first row of whY+, which I can wholeheartedly recommend for the following reasons:

• Ample legroom, even if there is no under seat stowage
• No one can recline in to you
• Closest to the "bar" thingy
• Service begins from the front of the cabin

[size=-2]The whY+ seats 10A/C[/size]

[size=-2]The "QF009 pose" .. keep in mind I have long legs, so really fairly decent leg room![/size]
​

Row 10 is nominally blocked for pre-allocation (at least, my TA couldn't get one of them and EF does show them as being blocked/accessible seats), however a quick phone call to VA will open up 10D/E/F/G. I'm not sure whether that's something only available to those with status - again I didn't ask. 10A/C and H/K appear to be the pick of the cabin, but they're also the bassinet positions and aren't able to be pre-allocated. I was going to ask during check in to see if I could shift myself in to one of those rows, but clean forgot to do so (I will certainly be doing so on the way back!)

The seats themselves are actually reasonably comfortable -- I'm not a massive fan of leather seats, but I didn't find them "sweaty" or uncomfortable for the duration of the flight. One of the common items of feedback that I've read before is that the seats are hard -- which I didn't find to be true. After 15 hours you're going to have a dose of "numb bum", no matter what the seats are I think. They're certainly nothing like the slabs of concrete with seat backs that DJ have been installing on their newer B737s.. another nice touch for row 10 (and maybe for the rest of the whY+ cabin?) is that they have "footrests" available on request, which I forgot to take a photo of - basically dark purple cushions. Not nearly as naff as I thought it would be; definitely a nice to have for when you're trying to get some sleep.

Once I got settled, one of the FAs came by to "introduce me to my seat" and do a little welcome on board spiel, which was rather nice (and avoided coming across as cutesy). Would I like a glass of sparkling white? I most certainly would! VA were serving the Coldstone Brut Cuvee, which is an eminently drinkable Aussie wine -- certainly no proper champagne as you would get on QF, but with fare differences being what they are I'm definitely not complaining. Regrettably I was not offered a complimentary browse of the Daily Mail..

What I was offered was a proper menu and amenity kit:

​

Amenity kit contents were fairly basic, but you get socks, eye mask, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and ear plugs - basically everything you need. Additionally, everyone gets noise cancelling headphones for the duration of the flight (they have the "triple plug" connector that most every other airline uses); no idea of the brand but they did quite a decent job of sounding good and shutting out the background noise.

So, after PDBs were all done, everything put away, security briefings complete .. let's get airborne!

 

[notzac]

Interesting start, looking forward to the rest.

VA are now using the NZ lounge in BNE which would appear to be much better than the MEL MH lounge. Perhaps VB should talk to NZ MEL.

VA will be using the NZ lounge at MEL starting very soon, if not already ... I just missed out on the start date unfortunately. I'm told it's a rather decent lounge, so I'm looking forward to using it on my next trip!

 

[notzac]

Shortly after take off the FAs started to get everything ready for service; I was promptly served my beverage of choice (gin ginger ale) with a little snack to tide me over to the meal:

The dinner service started not too long after, which I thought was a little odd (though I assume it is in an attempt to get everyone to adjust to US time). I make a point of never ordering SPMLs, as they're invariably awful. I was pleased to note that there is a vegetarian option available on the regular menu, which I ordered:

[size=-2]Pumpkin cous cous salad with chicken (no surprise that I skipped this)
Vegetable curry with lentil rice
Banana cake with anglaise sauce
Warburn Estate Riverina Premium Reserve Merlot[/size]
​

Curries in the air can be hit and miss, but this one was a hit: flavoursome without being spice overload and about the right amount of "heat" for my palate. The Merlot was a bit young but fairly nice; was certainly pleased that it wasn't a Shiraz Cabernet or something equally undrinkable. Top ups were offered throughout the meal, and a tea/coffee/brandy/Baileys service followed afterwards. One big complaint: the cutlery offered were awful nasty flimsy plastic things. I flagged this with a FA, who apologised and noted that the BNE and SYD based services have different cutlery (?) which is much better .. why, I have no idea. She said that she would note the feedback down, and I also made mention of it in some written feedback a little later on.

After everything was cleared away, I asked one of the FAs about how whY/whY+ service works and found the following:

• Meals and wines are the same for both cabins
• whY+ serving sizes are bigger and breads/bakery items are also warmed
• Catering is designed such that whY+ should always get first choice
• whY now offers complimentary booze throughout the flight

As a point of comparison with QF whY+, this is definitely a step down -- but the fare difference VA vs. QF more than makes up for it, so definitely no complaints from me.

The bar area was then set up and guests were welcome to entertain themselves; myself and one other passenger spent several hours helping ourselves to a drink or five and chatting away. Every now and again a FA would stop by to check on how we were doing and join in the conversation for a few moments -- nice without being overbearing. The bar didn't provide a great deal of space (certainly has nothing on the J bar), and no spirits were available .. wines, beers, juice, soft drink, water and a few snacks (cheeses and biscuits), but I guess other things could have been requested. My primary concern was to make sure that the sparkling wine didn't up and run away...

​

After a while it was definitely getting time for a nap, so I reclined my seat and nodded off. The seat recline isn't too bad, but it's certainly no J cabin. At a guess, it's about the same amount of recline as you'd get on QF whY+. It's not possible to raise the armrests except those between the E and F seats -- as far as I'm concerned this is a very good thing indeed -- but it also means that you can't have a redneck first class sleeping experience. Plenty comfortable enough for me in any case.

Soon enough it was time for breakfast...

 

[notzac]

After probably not enough sleep, I awoke to breakfast being served:

[size=-2]Fresh fruit selection
Peach pancakes with fruit compote
Croissant, fruit yoghurt and coffee[/size]​

Pancakes were surprisingly tasty for something that was reheated -- I was expecting far worse. Coffee was OK, but definitely "airline coffee" .. not something I'd go out of my way to drink in any other situation. Same issue with the coughpy cutlery again.

In between breakfast and top of descent I nodded off .. I woke up again with just enough time to get changed and freshen up before the seatbelt sign went on. Our arrival path took us over downtown LA and then back towards the airport, touching down facing the Pacific Ocean (something I'm sure is perfectly normal, but I'd never arrived in to LAX in that way). Once on the ground and towed in to the gate, we got off the plane (FAs stood in between cabins to allow J pax off the plane first) and I hotfooted my way over to Immigration, knowing full well how long I'd likely be waiting if I dawdled.

Immigration and then Customs was pretty painless -- the CBP folk are much much nicer than they used to be. All up it took me about 30 minutes to get landside (which would definitely have been longer had I been at the back of the b*s or if I'd checked any luggage). The Customs agent even gave me directions on how to get to T3 and complimented my choice of connecting carrier, which was interesting .. not used to any sort of conversation from official type people. The Australian C&I folk could definitely stand to take some lessons here..!

T3 check-in was pretty painless -- straight over to an empty Main Cabin Select / First Class queue where I was supplied with my boarding card (again, cardboard rather than a supermarket shop-a-docket). Still a little annoyed that VA weren't able to check me in, but no lasting damage done. Upstairs and through security (as annoying as any other US airport security, though fairly quick) and over to the thoroughly depressing gate area for VX:

Those lights in the ceiling were at exactly the right colour temperature to give me a headache, and the Starbucks coffee was as awful as I remembered it to be. Given that the Virgins all fly to LAX, they really need to do something about the lounge situation and pronto!

The VX flight to SFO was delayed by WX (surprise, surprise), but the VX customer service staff did a stellar job of keeping everyone informed about what was happening. They finally decided to board us because they needed the gate for another flight, though we were informed that we'd be pushed back and left sitting for 30 minutes or so (nice to be told up front I figure..) First Class and Main Cabin Select were offered pre-boarding, and knowing what Americans are like with hand luggage I certainly wanted to be on the plane quick smart.

The First cabin has these purple plastic surrounds as part of the bulkheads - I'm sure they seemed like a great idea at the time, but they show up all the skuff marks and cracks so they just end up looking tacky. The Main Cabin Select seats (front row of whY) are great - decent amount of legroom and a little area down by the bottom of the bulkhead to put a few things (definitely handy as there is no underseat stowage area). I wasn't functional enough to operate a camera, so photos of the VX cabin will have to wait -- but the whY seating appears to be made by the same folk that did the VA whY+ seats; very similar styling but obviously narrower. Pretty comfy! I'd certainly like to see these on DJ if they opt to refresh the whY cabin at some point.

The onboard announcements. Oh god. The cabin supervisor stumbled over the words, referred to the pax as "guys" (as in, 'thanks guys') and in general was cheesy and clumsy. I'm hoping that that was a once off, but worried that it isn't. One other interesting thing was that the Captain made an announcement about the delay and reasons for it from the front of the cabin -- a nice touch -- he was far more professional and didn't stumble over his words as the cabin supervisor had, which was somewhat reassuring (!) About a minute later he came out and said (and I quote):

Hi everyone, me again. Forget all of what I just said, we've just been cleared for immediate takeoff.​

There were a few cheers for that one. Flight up to SFO seemed reasonable; Main Cabin Select gets complimentary food and bev, but I was asleep for most of the flight so didn't partake. The International terminal at SFO (which VX is currently using but only for another few weeks) is very open and airy; starkly different to T3 at LAX. My lift finally found me (we were playing phone tag for a while) and I made my way in to the city.

I'll post more when I get to the return leg, but some initial thoughts and comparisons:

• Interline check-in (at least to VX) isn't possible, though bags can be tagged all the way through
• VA cabin crew are awesome - I hope the rest are as good as the crew I had
• The seat is pretty good, the bar is a fabulous idea and the food is a bit pedestrian but perfectly edible
• Changing terminals at LAX is no more or less painful than it is with QF -- though the lack of lounge options is a real let down (I really wanted a shower and couldn't have one)
• Announcements aside, VX is probably the most pleasant whY cabin in the US
• Definitely like that whY+ tickets on VA interlining to VX seat you in Main Cabin Select rather than just Main Cabin (as you'd get with QF interlining to AA)
• Elevate has no status levels and thus VX don't recognise Velocity status (at least, at this stage) -- something to consider if you're not travelling in a premium cabin

Last but not least: would I do it again? Yes absolutely. Lounge access was always the worry; QF/AA have this one very much sorted out, but now with VA using the NZ lounges they just need to fix up priority check in and lounge access in the US. Would I do it again if money wasn't a concern and QF whY+ was also an option? Yes, but conditionally so; VA whY+ is a solid product, but the A380 is a superior cabin experience. QF also have better food and bev, but the fare reflects that so I find it a tough comparison to make (and there's nothing wrong with the food and wine served on VA). B777 vs. B747? B777 all the way. Noticeably quieter and certainly newer (and thus less likely to have MX issues).

I'll probably think of more later. Questions and comments most welcome

 

[anat0l]

Considering that QF very rarely have good food for your needs in any class, I thought the decision is a more one-sided affair for yourself.

Thanks for the report notzac.

 

[bossreggie]

Great TR notzac.

I think you, QF009 and Anat0l all write TR's that I find very interesting to read.

I am tempted to try VA "J "at some stage just to see what it is like.

I look forward to reading more.

 

[blackcat20]

Thanks for the review and photos. Next time I travel to the US (and have a little extra $$), I'll definitely be trying VA PE. I almost did this time, but the QF Y sale fares were too tempting...almost regretting it after looking at your pics.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Great TR notzac.

I look forward to reading more.

+1

Thank you.

 

[notzac]

Thanks all! Appreciate the compliments

Thanks for the review and photos. Next time I travel to the US (and have a little extra $$), I'll definitely be trying VA PE. I almost did this time, but the QF Y sale fares were too tempting...almost regretting it after looking at your pics.

I was lucky here -- it was a work trip, so I just had to pay the difference between whY and whY+. Booking that was a nightmare, but mostly due to work's TA plating the ticket on a consolidator and generally screwing things up. I've subsequently booked whY+ fares on the VA website, which was far easier.

 

[blackcat20]

I was lucky here -- it was a work trip, so I just had to pay the difference between whY and whY+.

This is where being your own boss has its downside; I'd have to pay for my travel anyway

 

[FuzzyAUS]

This is where being your own boss has its downside; I'd have to pay for my travel anyway

I've thought that to be quite funny each time I read posts where people say their travel is self funded.. I too am my own boss, so work paying is still self funded

I use FF points to do 80+% of my domestic flying so am happy to pay for long haul J now days, I used to go Y+ and try the upgrade lottery, it was worse when it was the Y plus upgrade lottery and I didn't have much of a FF status (PS at that time)

 

[MelUser]

This is a great trip report. Thank you notzac. It is nice to know that there are decent offerings and alternatives out there to QF and oneworld.

 

[lovestotravel]

Nice TR and photos!

I have flown VA 4 times now, MEL-LAX... in J

On 2 of the 4 flights they "forgot" to have PJ's loaded for the LAX-MEL flight... I am noticing a trend.

Of interest

As of Monday 28th Feb you can use the Air NZ lounge BUT

You need to be Velocity Gold or in J

V Australia > Lounge Access

Not sure what the rules were before but didn't premium economy get access to the MH lounge ?

I have heard rumors that the bar area will be scrapped in favour of more seats :evil:

Bad bad move as on all 4 of my trips this bar area was well utilized :mrgreen:

 

[djfuzz]

Thanks notzac - very interested to see your photos / hear your thoughts on MCS, and whether it is worth the premium for the leg room / free food etc, particularly whether it might be worth the difference on the red-eye transcon.

 

[notzac]

So, I've been incredibly slack at updating this -- I have more to write on my trip from a couple weeks ago, however I'm currently seated in the NZ Koru Club at MEL, waiting for my chariot back over to LAX. This time, I've been shifted from my preferred row 10 to one a little further forward.. looking forward to writing all about it for y'all!

 

[schomers87]

Nice trip report- im doing MEL-LAX in a couple of weeks so good heads up.

For interest, can you take a guest into the koori club at MEL?

Cheers.

 

[notzac]

For interest, can you take a guest into the koori club at MEL?

I believe either flying J or having a DJ Gold card entitles you to lounge access for yourself + 1 guest, per V Australia > Lounge Access