VA7 BNE -> LAX in J

[Steve Dyer]

So I have just completed VA7 BNE to LAX in J. My first long haul VA J experience. I was seated in 5A with a Crew member beside me. Even though I was told at Checkin it was a shadow.... The flight it's self was very smooth and nothing beats the sound of those might GE90's roaring on Take off.

The Menu was actually very good. I had a Thai Chicken Soup for Entree, a Lamb Cutlet and Cous Cous Salad for Main and Ice Cream and Cheese for Desert. Along with a very nice Shiraz...

Breakfast was the typical Fruit Salad to start with bread, the main for breakfast was a Muffin with Bacon, Caramelised Onion, Egg and Spinach and was very tasty.

The poor part was the seat, and in reality thats what you are paying for. At 187cm tall i found it very difficult to get comfortable, my feet would touch the end or head the back of the seat so i could never really stretch out straight. Furthermore, the hardness of the seat was very very noticeable. The cabin looked tired. All PAX I met in the Bar all commented on the seat. Perhaps VA need to turn their attention to a proper refurb of J and PE on the 777....

Lastly, I am currently in the Delta Sky Club. I will say that, while we all comment on the variety of the VA lounges domestically, the AIR NZ lounge (BNE) and the Delta Club are poor, very poor in comparison from a food and drink perspective.

Returning in a week in J on VA8, while the seat wont have changed, it will be interesting to see if they hit the spot with the menu again...

Cheers
Steve

 

[Isochronous]

So basically, VA int J is no match for QF int J. Even worse than Skybed I?

 

[pauly7]

I think the 777 J product is on the list to fix up but can't recall the timeline. Agree with your comments it is a hard seat - I flew them a while ago and the food and IFE was average as well so seems that has at least improved!

They could quite easily give out mattresses a la QF to help with the seat.

 

[drewbles]

So I have just completed VA7 BNE to LAX in J. My first long haul VA J experience. I was seated in 5A with a Crew member beside me. Even though I was told at Checkin it was a shadow.... The flight it's self was very smooth and nothing beats the sound of those might GE90's roaring on Take off.

The Menu was actually very good. I had a Thai Chicken Soup for Entree, a Lamb Cutlet and Cous Cous Salad for Main and Ice Cream and Cheese for Desert. Along with a very nice Shiraz...

Breakfast was the typical Fruit Salad to start with bread, the main for breakfast was a Muffin with Bacon, Caramelised Onion, Egg and Spinach and was very tasty.

The poor part was the seat, and in reality thats what you are paying for. At 187cm tall i found it very difficult to get comfortable, my feet would touch the end or head the back of the seat so i could never really stretch out straight. Furthermore, the hardness of the seat was very very noticeable. The cabin looked tired. All PAX I met in the Bar all commented on the seat. Perhaps VA need to turn their attention to a proper refurb of J and PE on the 777....

Lastly, I am currently in the Delta Sky Club. I will say that, while we all comment on the variety of the VA lounges domestically, the AIR NZ lounge (BNE) and the Delta Club are poor, very poor in comparison from a food and drink perspective.

Returning in a week in J on VA8, while the seat wont have changed, it will be interesting to see if they hit the spot with the menu again...

Cheers
Steve

Looks like we were on the same flight, although I was a few rows back

Im im currently at FL260 on an AA flight though

 

[LiamR]

I agree with comments regarding the hardness of the seat, the padding has worn out and really isn't comfortable at all. Although I have noticed on the refurbished/repainted aircraft (1 or 2 have been done IIRC?) there is a lot more padding and the seat feels considerably less lumpy.

I can only hope they plan to do the rest of the fleet asap!

 

[Saab34]

3 out of 5 777's have had the seat refurb.

 

[Steve Dyer]

I agree with comments regarding the hardness of the seat, the padding has worn out and really isn't comfortable at all. Although I have noticed on the refurbished/repainted aircraft (1 or 2 have been done IIRC?) there is a lot more padding and the seat feels considerably less lumpy.

I can only hope they plan to do the rest of the fleet asap!

You are dead right there, I was on VH-VPD and it was repainted. The seats are not only hard, but when it folds flat, the end where the feet are is not stable and as you turn over, it flexs down, and also around the shoulder is when in recline, there is a join in the seat and thats frustrating as hell.

 

[Saab34]

I must say the Economy seats have improved. They are hard as a rock previously.

 

[Clivem]

Do worry about the seat ....its the VA7 / 8 significantly late departures over the last few months that you really need to worry about .......the track record hasn't been good... far from consistent .....

 

[bulldog88]

I bet they run the new seats on SYD-LAX vv , that seems to be their flagship route

 

[Clivem]

Do worry about the seat ....its the VA7 / 8 significantly late departures over the last few months that you really need to worry about .......the track record hasn't been good... far from consistent .....

The prosecution rests it's case your Honour ...........Yet again VA8 is appallingly late ........ knock on effect is that VA7 BNE to LAX due out today (Sunday) @ 11:15 hrs is now not slated to push back until after 2am MONDAY morning


I will wave to the poor soles who didn't get the VA delay advice as I head to the QF gate ........

Although I do like the VA777 / J offer on this route .......I and others I know who do this stretch regularly have given up on VA on these legs ......... The number of major VA delays on this route this year is beyond a joke ............ I may be a one eyed Queenslander but I think the LAX - BNE and LAX - MEL routes may get the rough end of the pineapple to keep the LAX - SYD route looking sweet ........ Regardless VA7 / VA8 FOR 2013 suck !

 

[Quickstatus]

So I have just completed VA7 BNE to LAX in J. My first long haul VA J experience. I was seated in 5A with a Crew member beside me. Even though I was told at Checkin it was a shadow....

What is a "shadow"

 

[Clivem]

What is a "shadow"

A 'shadow' is as seat normally kept vacant next to a higher status (read gold / platinum) passenger if the planes not full (seat being kept vacant as long as reasonably possible dependent on final load).......eg the high status passenger 'shadow' normally occupies the seat kept vacant in a less than full flight.

The higher status passenger getting more room space by default so to say.............

 

[Deewhy]

I've previously got them to put the sleeping cover down and sit on that, and I've found some newer mattresses are thicker than older ones.

 

[PLANT]

If the J class is not full anyone asked for an extra cover to soften the flat seat?
I've flown 4 time in J in last two years.
First was 4K there and back I think and other than the engine noise...yeah the seat was hard.
I was in middle section second row on the left aisle and when trying to sleep it felt like a kid was running up and down the aisle....bump bump bump.....they ran out on M PJ's too so I have these huge L ones...make sure I ask early now.
Then I was in like 2K against the window and it was a softer seat or I was just buggered and smashed on the booze.....bloody hard climbing over the person next to you to get to the bar!

Heard new planes and J fit out coming on REARWINDOW AFR Sunday program come 2014.
Bugger as I'm in J November......that LAX-MELB....better not be delayed as I decided to fly in early from JFK to make sure I get on it in DEC.....5hrs early!

Anyone been in lounge in Melb?