Virgin business class Bali flights rip-off

[stm1sydney]

I think not having lounge access is a big fail - surely the $40 or $50 that VA would have to pay per pax to a partner lounge is not a show stopper and is really a standard offering for international business class...

Not the greatest but surely not a "big fail". Once they organise it, they just put the fare up by $50 to cover the cost (which would still be over $1000 cheaper than QF). Or, you can just pay $50 under the current no-lounge arrangement, so it's cost-neutral to the customer at the end of the day. Or, if you have Dragonpass or something, you can get into The House for $35.

 

[jrfsp]

The lounges in DPS are nothing special and often packed to the point of being unable to find a seat

 

[HS-TQE]

I would guess it's out of either Plaza Premium or Swissport/Aspire (The House in SYD/MEL and MyLounge in BNE).

 

[noicedavo]

I returned from Bali to Sydney in VA J in January. The cost was around $800 - the same as QF Y, so I had no hesitation in booking.

I definitely wouldn't pay $1500.

The big advantages are:
1) Priority check in. Most VA flights seem to leave at the same time - so queues for economy check in were ridiculously long. We had a 5 minute wait.
2) Shoulder & leg room. The non reclining business seats are uncomfortable if trying to sleep - but it sure beats being up the back.
3) Toilet access. 1 toilet for 8 pax is much easier to contemplate if you're worried about not feeling well on the journey home.

The crew were fantastic. Dinner was chicken breast in a tomato sauce with green beans & was very good. I was sick during the night, but I put that down to dodgy spring rolls at the airport Novotel earlier night. Wine top ups were frequent.

We were served tea & coffee on arrival to Sydney.

There were long delays on departure from Bali & arrival into Sydney. With little information given. Time on the plane ended up being around 9 hours. I'm so glad I wasn't up the back in Y.

I don't think I'd do Bali again if it involves a night flight home. I'd prefer a longer flight during the day.

 

[jase05]

I don't think I'd do Bali again if it involves a night flight home. I'd prefer a longer flight during the day.

The night flights home on GA have always been nice IMO

 

[blaz]

If service isn’t up to scratch they deserve a whack.
As for Bali, we love it especially with a group of friends. Most of our friends don’t travel too far so it’s nice to get away with them for a week or so.

Where else can you get top class hotels for half the price of similar ones in Australia? You get your money back from the airfare cost after only a few days. Still, I don't care if people "don't get it ?" ..the less people who do "get it" , the better.

 

[Bagpuss]

Where else can you get top class hotels for half the price of similar ones in Australia? You get your money back from the airfare cost after only a few days. Still, I don't care if people "don't get it ?" ..the less people who do "get it" , the better.

I think a lot of people "get it" (Flying to Bali is cheap, accommodation is cheap, food is cheap compared to Australia / other countries)
The issue is people don't like the stigma, and it's not for everyone.
Like many destinations, the more you go back the more you like it as you understand what's on offer, the culture etc.

Everyone's entitled an opinion, but ideally when making an opinion have traveled to such destinations to form your own opinion.

 

[simmomelb]

Everyone's entitled an opinion, but ideally when making an opinion have traveled to such destinations to form your own opinion.

This is so true Bagpuss, well spoken.
I have met so many Australians in my time that speak so critically of Bali, only to discover they have "never been and would never go, too many bogans" or to that effect.
It really is perplexing that so many uneducated travellers, that have zero experience in Bali have such strong opinions, it's quite ironic.
I have been twice, I rarely see all these "bogans" people speak of, I spend time speaking with the locals, understanding their culture, their language, their diversity, the multitude of destinations & islands, and their way of life.
I enjoy indulging in the beautiful Balinese food, and enjoying their incredible hospitality, which is hard to find in Australia, even in upmarket holiday hotspots (this alone is a tick you don't get here to the same scale).
For those that think Bali is full of bogans, and that is all you see, you really haven't or don't want to discover the true Bali that so many love and enjoy on a level some just will never understand.
It's not about being rich, poor or otherwise.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Yes VA in negs with current Lounge operator and are close to making an announcement on intl Lounge access

 

[simmomelb]

Yes VA in negs with current Lounge operator and are close to making an announcement on intl Lounge access

Shhhh hahaha

There are several new options to be announced shortly, I am informed & will be very interested to see which ones come to fruition

 

[Parischris]

I flew VA J DPS to MEL on Easter Monday this year...

Pros:

1. Used my remaining travel bank credit for a seat on the afternoon/evening flight
2. Hot meal served was perfectly adequate and included an easter egg as well as a cake
3. Cabin service was friendly and efficient
4. Wi-FI worked well
5. DPS airport seems to have improved markedly since the last time I was there in 2017
6. Priority boarding worked perfectly
7. Priority Pass access into the lounge - my expectations were low but it met my Diet Coke, powerpoint and chair requirements
8. Empty seat next to me in Row 2

Cons:

1. Late departure with no notifications, although some of the time was made up during the flight.

The Wi-Fi worked so well I was able to search for reward flights MEL-TPE on Qantas website and be sprung by the CSM

 

[Jfaith]

I love Bali- I can be as bogan or as boganaire as my heart desires

 

[straitman]

I think a lot of people "get it" (Flying to Bali is cheap, accommodation is cheap, food is cheap compared to Australia / other countries)
The issue is people don't like the stigma, and it's not for everyone.
Like many destinations, the more you go back the more you like it as you understand what's on offer, the culture etc.

Everyone's entitled an opinion, but ideally when making an opinion have traveled to such destinations to form your own opinion.

We have been to Bali a few times and have no plans to go back as we didn't particularly like the place and have a bunch of other places that we prefer.

 

[travelislife]

The lack of blankets and pillows is seriously cheap and cough for a red eye. I don’t want to lug this stuff around with me on a trip. It would be what $50 a person of laundering costs!?

They seriously need preorder meals for Y as well.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The lack of blankets and pillows is seriously cheap and cough for a red eye. I don’t want to lug this stuff around with me on a trip. It would be what $50 a person of laundering costs!?

They seriously need preorder meals for Y as well.

A whole amenity pack for jetstar used to be sold on board for about $12… although i think they charge a fair whack more than that these days.

Checking alibaba airline blankets start at USD 73c each, airline pillows (economy class, which would be fine) start at USD 25c… including pillow case.

So we’re looking at about USD 1 per passenger. Probably cheaper for VA to tell pax to take them off with them rather than launder them. (or potentially recycle them or donate them)

 

[MooTime]

A whole amenity pack for jetstar used to be sold on board for about $12… although i think they charge a fair whack more than that these days.

Checking alibaba airline blankets start at USD 73c each, airline pillows (economy class, which would be fine) start at USD 25c… including pillow case.

So we’re looking at about USD 1 per passenger. Probably cheaper for VA to tell pax to take them off with them rather than launder them. (or potentially recycle them or donate them)

Those prices seem to be ULCC, may have to up the cost/quality to a $2 airline blanket and $1 pillow as VA mid tier carrier. Surely that'll still fit in the budget, even their IPO budget (added IPO line just for you @Bagpuss ha)

 

[HS-TQE]

Batik Air (VA's direct mid-market/Value-Orientated carrier rival) provides blankets/pillow in recliner J (if the 737 is a 2-class service). Hit and miss whether Batik offer them for BoB in Y (seems to vary by service).

 

[Zanzara]

I'm not one to defend, but maybe there's a need for a bit of a reality check to manage expectations. Despite the hype, VA isn't SQ or QR. It is still predominantly a domestic airline operating only 737s. Better than many, but not the greatest. Catering is v.limited on VAs aircraft. It is also often loaded in oz hours beforehand for the return leg. No wonder the bread was stale. Except for Garlic bread, the only half decent bread in business I have had was on EY & SQ. Otherwise, it's normally awful.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm not one to defend, but maybe there's a need for a bit of a reality check to manage expectations. Despite the hype, VA isn't SQ or QR. It is still predominantly a domestic airline operating only 737s. Better than many, but not the greatest. Catering is v.limited on VAs aircraft. It is also often loaded in oz hours beforehand for the return leg. No wonder the bread was stale. Except for Garlic bread, the only half decent bread in business I have had was on EY & SQ. Otherwise, it's normally awful.

But it is charging international prices! The tiny incremental cost of organising pillows and blankets, or an amenity kit containing those should be covered by the price.

 

[PERLHR]

But it is charging international prices! The tiny incremental cost of organising pillows and blankets, or an amenity kit containing those should be covered by the price.

Indeed. QF are back to providing pillows and blankets on their transcons if I recall correctly? I know prices can vary between the two but quite often not that significantly. Was checking VA flight from PER to MEL out in Jan 24. They want 1850 dollars one way in biz! Choice is 275 dollars!