VA Domestic Standards in the Toilet

[yohy?!]

After two flights in Y yesterday on VA for the first time in a year it's clear to me now that the up market strategy is an abject failure.

All crew I encountered were disinterested in providing friendly service and some were downright rude.

The food offering for dinner in domestic is a joke and unworthy of the Saver fare paid that was $10 less than QF.

IFE content library has shrunk and cleaning standards are now no better than Jetstar (ie gross).

Can't see how they can continue like this with such an uncompetitive product - almost worth them returning to a more LCC model where consistency and quality of service can be more easily maintained.

 

[anat0l]

Here I was thinking this was a thread talking about the lavs onboard the VA 738s.

Instead, it's just another of these threads....

 

[nlagalle]

After two flights in Y yesterday on VA for the first time in a year it's clear to me now that the up market strategy is an abject failure.

All crew I encountered were disinterested in providing friendly service and some were downright rude.

The food offering for dinner in domestic is a joke and unworthy of the Saver fare paid that was $10 less than QF.

IFE content library has shrunk and cleaning standards are now no better than Jetstar (ie gross).

Can't see how they can continue like this with such an uncompetitive product - almost worth them returning to a more LCC model where consistency and quality of service can be more easily maintained.

Yup I can't agree with you more here.. VA are no where in the same league as QF.. they are hardly even above a LCC.

I did 4 flights last month and I said at the time they would be my last 4..

 

[mannej]

Yup I can't agree with you more here.. VA are no where in the same league as QF.. they are hardly even above a LCC.

I did 4 flights last month and I said at the time they would be my last 4..

Perhaps those last four flights were trying to tell you something Nick?

 

[yohy?!]

Here I was thinking this was a thread talking about the lavs onboard the VA 738s.

Instead, it's just another of these threads....

Feel free not to comment if it's too low brow for you

I felt the need to vent as I've been in virgins corner since the DJ days and what's happened to something I grew up with is just wrong.

 

[andrewpf]

So i've been flying Virgin exclusively on domestic flights for the last 5 years, paying with my own coin. Apart from loyalty program, my theory was I was getting a cut above Tiger and Jetstar without having to pay full Qantas prices. Having said that, I have noticed that in recent years the planes are not exactly clean, which is a bit of a bugbear for me - presumably because turnaround times are so short, often people are disembarking just a short time before you board, there is no way they would have time to clean the plane properly.

Does Qantas have similar operating procedures, or are their turnaround times longer, allowing planes cleaned more thoroughly between flights?

 

[jakeseven7]

Here I was thinking this was a thread talking about the lavs onboard the VA 738s.

Instead, it's just another of these threads....

The number of threads on the decline of Virgin's offering is clearly indicative of what is happening to their offering and the feelings of people on this.

I would also add that the Lounge bathrooms seem to be in need of a deep deep clean...

I'm just sick of sitting in someone's rubbish that hasn't been cleaned from the previous flight, copping attitude and then a complete absence of service from their staff who are clearly disengaged and demoralised. And the rubbish slop in the Lounge that never, ever changes. Almost make their paltry stale biscuits on board taste great.

I'm stuck on Virgin due to work, but our corporate policy is currently being re-negotiated..... Fingers crossed they get the boot.

 

[TheInsider]

Does Qantas have similar operating procedures, or are their turnaround times longer, allowing planes cleaned more thoroughly between flights?

Qantas' turnaround times vary from 35min to 40min. With both of those times, Qantas gets cleaners on, catering on/off, luggage on/off, passengers on/off and sometimes change of crew too.

 

[Mattg]

I too have been pretty unimpressed lately with Virgin.

I flew them on Friday, and thought I would keep an open mind and give them "one last" chance to impress me. They didn't.

My flight was delayed by 2 hours, and they did not even make one announcement in the lounge to let us know about the delay, or when we could expect to board. Instead, I had to keep checking the departure board - and every time I looked, the departure time had changed. Communication here was not just poor - it was non-existent.

Once on board, the catering was woeful. Then, when we arrived at the destination (already 2 hours late), we had to sit on board at the gate for another 10 minutes waiting for ground staff to turn up.

After a long run of disappointing flights with VA, this flight pretty much cemented my decision not to book any more flights with them.

 

[davidj]

IFE content library has shrunk

This has been discussed many times. Since the demise of live to air and removal of seat back screens effectively there is no IFE on Virgin. No, using my own device is NOT a replacement option. Simple cost cutting here.

cleaning standards are now no better than Jetstar (ie gross).

Unfortunately this too is cost cutting (or laziness by FAs which too is a regular occurrence on Virgin). However the grass is not greener with Qantas presentation also lacking

http://oi62.tinypic.com/vhge8n.jpg

 

[Pleb Status]

This has been discussed many times. Since the demise of live to air and removal of seat back screens effectively there is no IFE on Virgin. No, using my own device is NOT a replacement option. Simple cost cutting here.

Difference of opinion here as I prefer to use my own device over any Y IFE system, as long as the software is adequate.

 

[davidj]

Difference of opinion here as I prefer to use my own device over any Y IFE system, as long as the software is adequate.

Fair enough, however there is nothing stopping them reinvesting in their their own IFE and offering wireless IFE and internet, apart from cash I guess.

 

[JohnK]

I flew Virgin again today.

They don't quite understand friendly. Not a big deal though as I don't expect much in the way of service. Another flight Wednesday to round out membership year and Gold for another 12 months.

I have been looking at some fares for ~2 weeks time and Qantas is ultra expensive. Getaway/Elevate confuse the hell out of me and Getaway not much more cheaper than Qantas.

Jetstar or Tiger anyone?

 

[RooFlyer]

I flew Virgin again today.

They don't quite understand friendly. Not a big deal though as I don't expect much in the way of service. Another flight Wednesday to round out membership year and Gold for another 12 months.
I have been looking at some fares for ~2 weeks time and Qantas is ultra expensive. Getaway/Elevate confuse the hell out of me and Getaway not much more cheaper than Qantas.
Jetstar or Tiger anyone?

I thought you swore off Virgin some time back?

 

[yohy?!]

I flew Virgin again today.

They don't quite understand friendly. Not a big deal though as I don't expect much in the way of service. Another flight Wednesday to round out membership year and Gold for another 12 months.

I have been looking at some fares for ~2 weeks time and Qantas is ultra expensive. Getaway/Elevate confuse the hell out of me and Getaway not much more cheaper than Qantas.

Jetstar or Tiger anyone?

I would take Tiger over Jetstar - better OTP and friendlier service, doesn't seem to be many options for Price Beat Guarantees anymore as the timetables are often just over the hour apart

 

[JohnK]

I thought you swore off Virgin some time back?

Yes I did. These 2 flights were booked some time back.

P.S. Still need 4 flights/year to maintain Gold. With Gold status I get SQ lounge access fir wifexand daughter.