What should I expect from VA 1 Business / VA2 Premium?

[JRT]

Hi, doing my first VA long-haul with Platinum partner - also a domestic flyer. Business to LAX, Premium back.
Any hints/tips for the uninitiated? Flew to LAX with QF back in 07, how do you think VA compares?

 

[serfty]

With PE, if you are over, say, 150cm tall, avoid row 10.

 

[JRT]

Thanks Serfty, good to know - I am short but still a few over 150cm, with very tall husband.
Are the pillows any good, or advisable to take your own?

 

[mandmshow]

VA1 Business - Great product IMO !!! The flat bed with underlay/doona, great food and service, very comfortable seat, the "ladies only" toilet (plus the other two) and the bar. The A/C or H/K seats are preferable to the 3 in the middle. Row 5 (the "rock star/celebrity" row with curtains) is well documented in other threads here and many people indicate they love it or find it claustrophobic/odd depending on the company or personal preference.

VA2 Premium - Seat is a little uncomfortable for me - perhaps a pillow would help ! Cabin more comfortable than PE on QF744 as there are 2 toilets (the QF A380 is different) and VA have the addition of the self service bar between services which QF does not have. Row 10 is indeed to be avoided if tall and even the addition of some footrests cabin crew put there after take off do not help. PE food is better on QF in my experience but it's the luck of the draw on the day. The last row of PE (row 14) does not seem to recline as much as the other seats (could be in my mind) and is right in front of potentially noisy bassinets in economy so 11-13 are my preferred seats.

 

[IainF]

Def grab row 5 AC/HK seats right now if you can. Best business class seats hands down. Is this a paid trip or on points ?

 

[maninblack]

According to the VA website,
"Business Class guests experience second-to-none space and comfort, and exceptional inclusions." Wow, second to none eh, big claim!
not only that but,
"Relax onboard with a pre-flight welcome drink including our award winning champagne." Wow, they even make their own Champagne!

Actually you get a Sicma Majesty seat which is a standard 'off the shelf' lie-flat seat used by many second-tier airlines. It's a bit narrow, a bit short, a bit lumpy, and a bit dated, but okay. I's a 2-3-2 layout so avoid the centre bank. They were actually serving Lanson Vintage which is prety fine.

 

[notzac]

I find the seat perfectly comfortable - I usually manage 6-7 hours of sleep on them, so they can't be too bad! The mattress cover thingy that they put down seems to help smooth things out (given how flimsy it is you wouldn't think it did much, but it seems to) ... one of my biggest gripes is actually the champagne; it's _just_ ok, but I think VA could buy much better at the same price point if they weren't so hung up about it being a vintage wine.

 

[maninblack]

but I think VA could buy much better at the same price point if they weren't so hung up about it being a vintage wine.

I wonder what they do pay for it. Hardly anyone serves Vintage Champagne except airlines! Maybe it's where the Champagne houses dump all of their excess vintage. I am very happy with NV Veuve or Bollinger myself. But Taittinger Comte de Champagne in Qantas First was always rather good. Do they still serve it?

 

[JRT]

I find the seat perfectly comfortable - I usually manage 6-7 hours of sleep on them, so they can't be too bad! The mattress cover thingy that they put down seems to help smooth things out (given how flimsy it is you wouldn't think it did much, but it seems to) ... one of my biggest gripes is actually the champagne; it's _just_ ok, but I think VA could buy much better at the same price point if they weren't so hung up about it being a vintage wine.

Paid trip, row 5 full but pleased with 3C, and the cover worked for me too. Didn't drink the Lanson, didn't mind the Forest Hill riesling with the salad and barramundi. Crew very friendly, pretty good alround. Just disappointing to go home PE soon after the J experience.

 

[djchuckles]

Good to read - I just did a points upgrade to 5A AUH to SYD (plus used my 2 comps for the domestic parts)

 

[DaveB]

My two daughters in their early 20's ranked VA J ahead of CX, EY, QF and DL in order.
Ranking VA ahead of direct aisle access on the EY, CX and DL when they were both travelling alone was a tall order, though I neglected to ask who they were sitting next to.
Ranking EY down when they both had the secluded 'cubby-hole' direct aisle window seats in EY no doubt reflected having mum and dad in the two EY centre seats.

 

[JRT]

PE seat no comparison to the Business Class, but I didn't sleep well in either. As not sleeping appreciated being able to go for a stretch and get myself a soda in both cabins - but not as much as I appreciated being offered a coffee as soon as my eyes fully open. Couldn't have asked for better service in Premium or Business.