Maybe they're still recovering from the afterparty
Or in my case... only that I turned around and flew straight home utterly tired, only to find four non-stop hectic days still waiting for me!
To echo your trip reports so far, it really was a fun experience, with a great atmosphere!
Luckily I spotted row 13 open during OLCI for VA 87 and moved myself up, and was told at IRL check-in that the seat next to me was actually blocked off – I didn't know at that point that rows 10-13 were getting "business-light" service, purple pillows and personalised service! Fear not for loneliness though, as not long after take-off I was joined by
Dannyism next to me anyway.
Seriously though, this was definitely a flight for having company to share the excitement with, and I also ended up chatting throughout the flight with some of the HX crew seated behind us. If I'm not mistaken, there were other off-duty VA staff travelling too as pax. From what I could see, the Y offerings were pretty standard, and not particularly "Hong Kong-inspired".
Just as you wrote
jaspon, the HX crew were saying that they are on exchange (not sure if I'm using the right word) with VA, and we'll see one of them on each MEL/HKG flight over the next 6 months. Some of them have worked the HX flights to Australia (CNS/OOL) before, and HX had things to teach VA like successfully selling duty free! As far as VA staff goes, they do have a small number of Cantonese-speakers in the team, and I met one of them working the return flight.
The water cannon salutes at both ends were highlights, along with the super enthusiastic crew throughout, and the SRB/JB/camera crew walk-throughs – certainly not an everyday occurrence! SRB trying to "teach" Cantonese either amused or horrified people, but I thought it was hilarious, especially the HX cabin crew member couldn't help pointing out that what was printed on the card for "I just flew in with
Virgin Australia" was wrong (well, not wording a Cantonese speaker would ever use)! First time ever I'd been delayed between the jetbridge at the arrival gate by a lion dance ahead too.
HX's Club Bauhinia lounge can't compare to CX's offerings at HKG, but it was a pleasant lounge with good (Asian) food options. There are noodle soups and egg puffs made to order, although I didn't have time to sample any this time as I was hurrying straight back to the same gate 22 (nice and close) for the return VA 86. The supporting VA staff at check-in (a temporary affair, I heard) were amazed that I was flying straight back, and by the time I showed up at the gate they had a model VA A330 waiting for me as a gift – a nice gesture much appreciated!
HKG-MEL was a much quieter affair in comparison, and without fanfare beyond a mention of it being an inaugural from the captain on the PA. In lieu of water cannons, we got almost an hour's delay on the ground heh, with Chinese air traffic being blamed. It was a much lighter load and looked like there was space to stretch out in Y, but given how tired I was at this point after (having barely slept the night before and a 04:30 start), I was thankfully in J!
The seatbelt signs coming back on for a while delayed dinner further, but this time there were duck pancakes, laksa and "Asian inspired sweets" (egg tart, jin deui... not quite crunchy) on offer as ex-HKG-only catering options, although no printed menus on board yet. The J service was up to VA's usual high standard, and with the comfy seat made into a bed I managed to sleep a solid (for me) 4.5 hours. It's a great route for the A330s. No time to sample breakfast unfortunately, despite being curious about the chicken congee on the menu!
All in all, very glad I booked myself on this adventure – an inaugural inaugural experience for me!
Bonus anecdote of personal significance: The most surprising thing for me on the inaugural was actually hearing the pre-recorded announcements in Cantonese. "That voice... who is telling me where to store my cabin luggage? Could it be?!" A few messages of enquiry later and... yep. My mother was the voice behind them! (Yes, I followed mum's instructions.)