wallacej
Active Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2006
- Posts
- 802
Just wanted to share with you quickly my experience on a recent MEL-MCO flight.
Firstly cost was the first consideration for the company.
I searched for a flight the standard way on the web using each airline website, and the cheapest was with V Australia website, quoting just over $3k for the journey. i then jumped on expedia, put the same travel dates in etc and it came back with a price of $1600. Very nice... booked.
Not only was it cheaper, but the layover between each stop was also shorter than quoted on V Australia direct site.
The difference, it was quoted through Delta (now I should have gone to the Delta site to book... maybe next time)
Anyway, boarded for the Mel-Lax flight, left on time. Had a row to myself in economy (row 23) Seats were comfy, food was normal, nothing flash, but edible. Drinks were frequent. Virgin metal, Virgin Staff.
Midway through the flight I was approached by a crew member and was asked (as a now downgraded silver member) what my choice of menu item was just in case they ran out of my choice - NICE touch, and cost them nothing to make me feel good about my now lower status)
Arrived into LAX, into the Delta Terminal, through customs in minutes, back out into the same terminal, through the normal security cough that is the US.
Only a few gates away from where I landed, I boarded my Delta flight around 2 hours later bound for Orlando. On time
Flight to MCO was packed, I was given row 12, again, for a full flight, not too bad an experience, though 4 1/2 hours hunched next to someone not too pleasant. Was tired so slept well.
Return flight, again, Delta MCO-LAX, on time. Delta terminal (though had to take a bus over the tarmac) 40 minutes between flights (no checked luggage). Basically to the the gate and boarded Delta metal this time for the LAX-SYD-MEL return sector.
Left on time. Delta staff not as good as the V staff. Crew much older and really not very friendly, reminded me a bit of QF crew. In row 52 this time. Flight much fuller. Found myself shoulder to should with a young couple, although they were pleasant, didn't really fancy sitting next to them, so moved myself a couple of rows back to a row of two seats (56 I think).
This time, beer and wine provided, had to buy spirits if I wanted this time (free on the V metal). A few meals served, and this time, because I was down the back, and was not asked for my choice of menu item I was provided with whatever meal was left over...
Arrived into Sydney, through customs, nice and quick, to the virgin transfer desk. Flight was not to 11am. It was 8.50 by this time. I asked for an earlier flight, tap tap tap.. no problem now on the 10am, then on the bus and over to the domestic terminal.
SYD-MEL left on time, unfortunately I didn't give Mrs Wallacej enough notice that I would be arriving early. She was in the gym when the message came through.
Back to the flight - arrived on time, I got a message so opted to convert my US money back to aussie fee free from the ANZ exchange office at international, grab a coffee and wait outside. Little did I know Mrs Wallacej was waiting back at my arrival gate after breaking land speed records to meet me.
Anyway, we caught up, I got home - and now await the dreaded jet lag to come and slap me on the back of the head.
Now in contrast there were two other groups that I know that flew qantas. One on a flight direct to Dallas. She is still there as there AA flight was delayed, missing the direct Dallas flight. The other party also flew qantas was delayed at Atlanta and LAX, getting home many hours later.
FYI - work colleague that came via qantas spent almost 30 hours travelling compared to my 23. And mine was a cheaper, and more enjoyable experience.
Fly V Australia linked with Delta again?? YES.
Firstly cost was the first consideration for the company.
I searched for a flight the standard way on the web using each airline website, and the cheapest was with V Australia website, quoting just over $3k for the journey. i then jumped on expedia, put the same travel dates in etc and it came back with a price of $1600. Very nice... booked.
Not only was it cheaper, but the layover between each stop was also shorter than quoted on V Australia direct site.
The difference, it was quoted through Delta (now I should have gone to the Delta site to book... maybe next time)
Anyway, boarded for the Mel-Lax flight, left on time. Had a row to myself in economy (row 23) Seats were comfy, food was normal, nothing flash, but edible. Drinks were frequent. Virgin metal, Virgin Staff.
Midway through the flight I was approached by a crew member and was asked (as a now downgraded silver member) what my choice of menu item was just in case they ran out of my choice - NICE touch, and cost them nothing to make me feel good about my now lower status)
Arrived into LAX, into the Delta Terminal, through customs in minutes, back out into the same terminal, through the normal security cough that is the US.
Only a few gates away from where I landed, I boarded my Delta flight around 2 hours later bound for Orlando. On time
Flight to MCO was packed, I was given row 12, again, for a full flight, not too bad an experience, though 4 1/2 hours hunched next to someone not too pleasant. Was tired so slept well.
Return flight, again, Delta MCO-LAX, on time. Delta terminal (though had to take a bus over the tarmac) 40 minutes between flights (no checked luggage). Basically to the the gate and boarded Delta metal this time for the LAX-SYD-MEL return sector.
Left on time. Delta staff not as good as the V staff. Crew much older and really not very friendly, reminded me a bit of QF crew. In row 52 this time. Flight much fuller. Found myself shoulder to should with a young couple, although they were pleasant, didn't really fancy sitting next to them, so moved myself a couple of rows back to a row of two seats (56 I think).
This time, beer and wine provided, had to buy spirits if I wanted this time (free on the V metal). A few meals served, and this time, because I was down the back, and was not asked for my choice of menu item I was provided with whatever meal was left over...
Arrived into Sydney, through customs, nice and quick, to the virgin transfer desk. Flight was not to 11am. It was 8.50 by this time. I asked for an earlier flight, tap tap tap.. no problem now on the 10am, then on the bus and over to the domestic terminal.
SYD-MEL left on time, unfortunately I didn't give Mrs Wallacej enough notice that I would be arriving early. She was in the gym when the message came through.
Back to the flight - arrived on time, I got a message so opted to convert my US money back to aussie fee free from the ANZ exchange office at international, grab a coffee and wait outside. Little did I know Mrs Wallacej was waiting back at my arrival gate after breaking land speed records to meet me.
Anyway, we caught up, I got home - and now await the dreaded jet lag to come and slap me on the back of the head.
Now in contrast there were two other groups that I know that flew qantas. One on a flight direct to Dallas. She is still there as there AA flight was delayed, missing the direct Dallas flight. The other party also flew qantas was delayed at Atlanta and LAX, getting home many hours later.
FYI - work colleague that came via qantas spent almost 30 hours travelling compared to my 23. And mine was a cheaper, and more enjoyable experience.
Fly V Australia linked with Delta again?? YES.
