Virgin VS Qantas A380 To USA Comparison

[marvel]

Hi everyone.
Wondering if anyone has flown either both or with Virgin to the USA. We have been on the Qantas A380 and thought it was the best aircraft we have ever flown on, both inside and the noise factor and air quality.

Virgin have airfares for $100 less each, not that big a deal, but wondering if their 777 aircraft compares to Qantas at all. I see they both have the self service bar, but hesitant to take the risk, although we would save $400 in total, not to be sneezed at.

Anyone been on both? or can advise on how good Virgin flight is? Thanks.

 

[alicia1506]

we did virgin last nov and loved them. food, service, comfort, IFE, everything was fabulous and we really appreciated them. they were also cheaper at that time, and i've heard nothing but good things...

 

[Andona]

Hi everyone.
Wondering if anyone has flown either both or with Virgin to the USA. We have been on the Qantas A380 and thought it was the best aircraft we have ever flown on, both inside and the noise factor and air quality.

Virgin have airfares for $100 less each, not that big a deal, but wondering if their 777 aircraft compares to Qantas at all. I see they both have the self service bar, but hesitant to take the risk, although we would save $400 in total, not to be sneezed at.

Anyone been on both? or can advise on how good Virgin flight is? Thanks.

We've flown the Virgin planes to LA (however that was 3 years ago) and the Qantas A380 to Europe. (last year) Personally, I thought both were excellent and, given the choice would just opt for the cheaper one.

There's a few pluses and minuses on both sides.

I loved the little footrest/mesh bag arrangement under the seat in front of you on the A380 but my husband thought the seats were more comfortable on the Virgin plane. I'm pretty sure the Virgin plane seat was wider and I think it has an extra inch of seat pitch ( legroom) (This is in Economy )

My recollection was that on the Virgin flight we had USB ports in every seat. I can't remember power in the Qantas A380 seats?

I liked the feature on the A380 that let you see the view from the cockpit on takeoff and landing. Otherwise I thought the IFE systems were fairly comparable

Can't really comment on noise as I tend to wear noise cancelling earphones throughout the entire flight. Also didn't notice any particular difference in air quality.

I *think* that we had 3 choices of main course for dinner on the Virgin flight. ( I wouldn't swear to it as it was a while ago but I'm fairly sure that was the case) ON the A380 to Europe we only had two main meal choices.

Someone else may have flown more recently with Virgin as things can always change from year to year, but I hope that helps a bit

Andona

 

[alicia1506]

when we flew virgin last year, we had 3 x dinner and 3 x breakfast choices.

my partner is vegetarian and he got his meal separately as it was served as a special meal, but at least one of the dinners and one of the breakfasts would have done for him quite well without the 'special order' vegetarian meal.

i found the meal sizes and quality decent for what they are. certainly better than hospital food.. of which i have partaken way too much this year

 

[Melbourne5]

Have just flown VA after using Qantas the last 3 yrs.

For me the decision would come down to lounge access, frequent flyer points, onward domestic fares using alliances etc... If none of those things matter and it's a comparison then my opinion is,

Food - Qantas but not by much
Entertainment - Qantas - more choices than virgin
Service- virgin but not by much ( bit chirpier)

So Qantas a380 by a nose.

 

[marvel]

Thanks everyone. Really hard to decide having never flown virgin.
given i didnt pull the trigger on the prices now qantas is $1480 each and Virigin is still $1200. So now not sure whether to wait for another sale or go with virgin!!

the other problem is virgin fly either through brisbane or sydney, which is a little annoying and time consuming.


we do have Qantas FF but not really a big deal.

what to do,what to do??

 

[Minniemum]

the other problem is virgin fly either through brisbane or sydney, which is a little annoying and time consuming.

what to do,what to do??

Where are you flying from?

 

[Tara2004]

A380 for sure

 

[Minniemum]

Have just flown VA after using Qantas the last 3 yrs.

For me the decision would come down to lounge access, frequent flyer points, onward domestic fares using alliances etc... If none of those things matter and it's a comparison then my opinion is.

Food - Qantas but not by much
Entertainment - Qantas - more choices than virgin
Service- virgin but not by much ( bit chirpier)

So Qantas a380 by a nose.

We too flew VA internationally for the first time. In the past it has always Qantas.

Food - Virgin - we thought the snack bar was a great initiative. No more waiting for grumpy cabin crew.
Movies - Qantas - a much greater selection.
Music - Virgin - lots of choice featuring current and up and coming Aussie artists.
Service - Friendlier cabin crew. Cleaner toilets and planes.

If all things were equal (schedule, price etc) it's Virgin over Qantas for us.

 

[Rebekkap]

Thanks everyone. Really hard to decide having never flown virgin.
given i didnt pull the trigger on the prices now qantas is $1480 each and Virigin is still $1200. So now not sure whether to wait for another sale or go with virgin!!

the other problem is virgin fly either through brisbane or sydney, which is a little annoying and time consuming.


we do have Qantas FF but not really a big deal.

what to do,what to do??

Seriously, you'll curse yourself when you could have been back home/landing in LAX after 14 hours and instead you're stuck on a plane/in transit for another 4-5 hours. Don't do it to yourself - always go the direct flight!

 

[marvel]

Yeah agree. We decided to wait for another qantas special and wait for the a380.thanks for all the advice.

 

[Minniemum]

Thanks everyone. Really hard to decide having never flown virgin.
given i didnt pull the trigger on the prices now qantas is $1480 each and Virigin is still $1200. So now not sure whether to wait for another sale or go with virgin!!

the other problem is virgin fly either through brisbane or sydney, which is a little annoying and time consuming.

we do have Qantas FF but not really a big deal.

what to do,what to do??

Virgin also fly direct Melbourne to LAX on Tues, Thurs & Sat and return on Tues, Thurs & Sun.

 

[razza1987]

lol this was the exact same dilemma I faced a few weeks ago. I went with Qantas lol




Posted from DISboards.com App for Android

 

[Feej]

Virgin works for me, as I often have to move around within the US when I go for work and flying with Virgin America is an absolute pleasure. I also think the service is a little better and they don't seem as stuffy and old fashioned as Qantas.

 

[marvel]

I am still facing this dilemma. Qantas is $120 dearer, so $480 for the 4 of US, so I am now leaning towards Virgin.

But we would have to add two days for the trip meaning losing two days of pay since DW can only take leave without pay, so its a push. Now I like having the extra two days to add to the holiday, so now I am more confused than when I started.

Does virgin depart LA from the same terminal as Qantas?

 

[Melbourne5]

I am still facing this dilemma. Qantas is $120 dearer, so $480 for the 4 of US, so I am now leaning towards Virgin.

But we would have to add two days for the trip meaning losing two days of pay since DW can only take leave without pay, so its a push. Now I like having the extra two days to add to the holiday, so now I am more confused than when I started.

Does virgin depart LA from the same terminal as Qantas?

It departs lax but not the same terminal. All but one Qantas flight depart TBIT ( international flights only from memory and the biggest and busiest terminal) . Virgin use T5for arrival and T3 For departures. It's a multipurpose domestic / international terminal with not a great deal in it. There is a VA lounge though if you have access. It is smaller so can be less busy . Comparing arr/ dep from both Qantas and VA I would go VA due to the smaller terminal and again from memory we were the only international flight arr/ dep so made it much quicker for getting away.

 

[marvel]

Thanks for that. How is virgin with seat allocation? can you choose ahead of time? I know Qantas charges $20 to pick a seat earlier.

I am now considering switching to a Velocity credit card if we book with virigin. You seem to be in the know Melb5, is there one credit card that you use for virgin? Currently i am with Westpac Altitude which is around 1.5 pts per dollar, when you transfer the points to velocity.

 

[Luisa]

I'm doing a Virgin/Delta code share, with both I could choose my seat but I honestly can't remember if Virgin charged $10 or $20. I know the Delta part was $150 but that's just because I chose to come home economy comfort.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Virgin international flights no extra fee to preselect seat EXCEPT for V Promo flights-not sure what they charge then as our last flight obviously wasn't a Promo fare? ('*** we didn't pay or policy's changed since we flew).

We did trip last year first time with Virgin and are more converts though I would still go with flight times/convenience and price as decider but now with distinct bias towards Virgin. (Also really liked Air NZ a couple of years ago). With Virgin on any fare you do still pay extra if you want the seats with extra leg room. Don't know about benefits for Velocity members.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Now why did my abbreviation get blanked? * obviously*