VA - Business Product

[Deleted member 29185]

Haven't had a recent VA J thread, talking specifically about the product that I can remember (mods please merge if there is one, I might have just not been overly interested).

Thought I might just add a few recent notes....from this morning......

OOL-MEL

- J seat taped up with gaffer tape (not a good look for any airline, let alone one supposedly trying to be premium).
- Narrow aisle side armrest on both 1C and 1D so loose they rattled
- Meal served different to that ordered
- 2 out of 4 Samsung Galaxies failed to work (one wouldn't load, one had no sound)
- replacement Galaxies, 1 had no sound (tried different ear phones, definitely the Samsung) and the other was loaded with old movies, not the latest advertised.
- Service far from impressive. No doting over the J guests on this flight.....curains pulled, FAs hidden away.

Is this a whinge? Well yes and no. The fares were point upgraded, 241 flexis, so a good price for the product, but I tell you what.............if I actually paid full business (or even business lite) fares, I'd be pretty unimpressed.

 

[goingboeing]

No doting over the J guests on this flight.....curains pulled, FAs hidden away.

Agree about this - not a fan of the seemingly new procedure where they keep the curtain pulled at the front at all times and only pop out to deliver meals and drinks. Keep it open and don't hide away!!!

Though it is amusing to see the J guests do the limbo under the curtain when it is pinned closed to use the onboard facilities.

 

[Shy180]

My experience with approx 10 VA J flights is that they are amazingly inconsistent especially on short (i.e. 1H) flights.

The only exception is the MEL-PER route when its new aircraft operating...otherwise it’s a lucky dip.

Happy flying.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Is this a whinge? Well yes and no. The fares were point upgraded, 241 flexis, so a good price for the product, but I tell you what.............if I actually paid full business (or even business lite) fares, I'd be pretty unimpressed.

Regardless of whether the fares were points upgraded or not, valid concerns for premium product. I'd be pretty unimpressed too. Hopefully VA will take note and act accordingly.

 

[drewbles]

Agree about this - not a fan of the seemingly new procedure where they keep the curtain pulled at the front at all times and only pop out to deliver meals and drinks. Keep it open and don't hide away!!!

Though it is amusing to see the J guests do the limbo under the curtain when it is pinned closed to use the onboard facilities.

I quite like it closed, it makes the cabin feel nicer somehow.

The curtains have a split down the middle. You can just put your hand through, and follow it.

 

[ash.1111]

I quite like it closed, it makes the cabin feel nicer somehow.

The curtains have a split down the middle. You can just put your hand through, and follow it.

No split on the 737. Best write in feedback to the company, as these things need to be put forward to the right people responsible.

 

[Noob]

Your points are very valid, I would be sending all of your detailed observations as feedback.

 

[goingboeing]

No split on the 737

Sorry drewbles - I was referring to the 737 with the curtain and as ash said - no split on the 737. I haven't noticed them ever put the curtain across on the jungle jets though, only 737's so far.

 

[Mondo]

I noticed that I received a very different Biz class experience when I used points to upgrade Flexi to Bus SYD-PER on A330. Upon boarding, only a few seats that were to be occupied had a pillow, headphones and water sitting on the seat. Mine had no headphones or water. I had to ask for water (which was provided with little interest), thankfully I didn't have to bother asking for headphones as I had my own. Other J passengers were offered to have their jackets hung up, I was not offered until I asked if someone could hang it up for me (despite having it resting on my lap the whole time). When it came to taking of drink and food orders, I was the last to asked, and the last to be served. When it came to landing, other passengers were handed their jackets in the coat bag. I had to ask a crew member for my coat (presume they either forgot, or didn't care), which was handed back with no coat bag. Even though I was on an upgrade ticket, I did still pay a flexi fare. They may only be small things, but it all adds up to a less than satisfactory J class experience.

 

[Mal]

Was there anything positive about the flight?

 

[Mondo]

I guess a positive was to be one of the first off the aircraft!!

 

[Bofter]

All but one of my Virgin business class flights have been in Z class (upgrade or points), and that was to DPS on a 737. I haven't noticed a difference between treatment of me and other passengers - it has been consistently good. Sometimes the hard product on the ex-Emirates planes is a little lacking, but the soft product has been consistently good for me on the A330.

 

[Blue Chameleon]

Out of interest Mondo, was it a new A332 or one of the ex-Etihad oldies?

The few times I've taken J coast to coast, the crew seem to be keener on the newer versions.

 

[Mondo]

Out of interest Mondo, was it a new A332 or one of the ex-Etihad oldies?

The few times I've taken J coast to coast, the crew seem to be keener on the newer versions.

It was the newer aircraft.

 

[pwae]

Having flown J many times SYD<->PER (always on a Z upgrade), I can't say I was ever treated any worse or different to the other customers.
I've been served first a few times (some due to getting 1A), and never had the staff seem rude or hostile in any way.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Was there anything positive about the flight?

With our flight OOL-MEL, yes there was and I should have mentioned them.

1. A big comfy seat
2. Being first off
3. Receiving some hot food

The other good points are of course what status gives regardless....priority boarding, lounge, priority luggage, priority check-in.

Since my first post, I've had a chance to ask my +1 whether she enjoyed her meal. She had the savoury muffin and didn't eat it and nor did my daughter (which surprised me as that's the sort of thing they like). I ate mine, but it wasn't something I'd normally choose. My son enjoyed the salmon sandwich fingers.

I've said many times that business to me, is a larger seat. Nothing about that flight made me think otherwise. The tablet IFE is still an abject failure. Why they just didn't go Red is beyond me since Red can do all the things they're espousing for the "new" IFE but haven't yet delivered.

Having said all that, I did enjoy the flight and it sure beats zoo. Is it worth it? For what I paid, yes. Otherwise, no way in the world (IMHO).

 

[RooFlyer]

Also my experience to get very varied service both between flights and what's offered within the same J cabin. I would never pay for J on VA. Too expensive for the risk of a Y experience in a larger seat.

 

[smit0847]

My various J experiences have all been pretty consistent. Nothing particularly spectacular, noting some CSMs are much better than others but the standard procedure has been followed very well by each one.

I also find that closed curtain most annoying - what is the point in reserving the front toilet for J when the curtain clearly indicates 'don't come through here'. What is the CSM doing that they don't want us to see?!

 

[toowongman]

My various J experiences have all been pretty consistent. Nothing particularly spectacular, noting some CSMs are much better than others but the standard procedure has been followed very well by each one.

I also find that closed curtain most annoying - what is the point in reserving the front toilet for J when the curtain clearly indicates 'don't come through here'. What is the CSM doing that they don't want us to see?!

Probably reading "New Idea" and slamming down their meal. Just move the curtain and hit the head. After a few flights you know what you're entitled to (e.g. F&B) and what you can do. Sometimes a few FAs need to be reminded of this.

 

[Steve Dyer]

It's funny what Toowoongman said about reading New Idea. The CSM was reading Who today.

I just did a BNE - TSV - BNE in J on a Z Class ticket. BNE was a 737 and return was a E90. There was just me on the BNE to TSV leg and just the two of us in the way back today. I had the same crew each way. BNE - TSV I got the Veggie / Bacon salad which was ok but boy was it salty. The return today was a potato & salmon salad or cheese platter. I took the cheese platter. This has under gone a make over in a bad way. Small, 4 crackers. When I asked for more they said there was no more and got me a Cheese and Bikkie pack from Y. The service was average, i did find the Cab Sav on the way up pretty good and the Sav Blonk on the way back with the cheese was good. I was 2F in both directions and I must say, the E90 J class had a better feel about it. I am just at the end of my renewal period so with unused Comp upgrades so I used them, but i think there is work to be done.

A Lounge in TSV would be a much appreciated addition as well!