Thoughts on flying with Virgin

[Kalice]

http://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/Status/VelocityFrequentFlyerStatusMatchPromotion/index.htm

I've still got to scan our cards, but we are flying Virgin in october, so it will be great to have access to the lounges.

 

[alicia1506]

we're planning on flying VAustralia for our BNE-LAX return leg of the flight, and then flying a combo of jetblue, delta and southwest for local flights in the states.

we're flying on a vpromo sale fare, which doesn't allow for pre-flight seat selection when booking, which is a bit of a boo..

BUT, when I called VAustralia customer service at midnight on Friday night, they told me that after booking, you can call their customer service team & they will put a note on your booking about preferred seat location etc. They also stated that provided I check in early enough, the check in staff will take the priority note into consideration & I can rest assured about getting the seats we want, and ensuring we're all sitting together.. yay!

I got the same level of service on a local Virgin Australia flight that was booked as a sale flight too, so loving their service standard and in-flight service & entertainment standards so far

 

[Luisa]

I'm going to differ to everyone else I think and say V are just ok. Last trip I flew over on Qantas and back on V. The Qantas plane was an older one as they had stopped the A380s at that time but it was roomy, clean and the cabin crew were lovely.
The check in for V at LAX was super crowded, noisy and the staff did not give the impression they were happy to be there- in fairness to them though they were dealing with a LOT of people with overweight bags. The flight, food and staff were ok, no better or worse than any other airline (apart from Cathay- theyre brilliant).
Personally I'd just go with whoever has the better deal at the time- for me next Dec it's Qantas on my ff points

 

[australiankaren]

I'm going to differ to everyone else I think and say V are just ok. Last trip I flew over on Qantas and back on V. The Qantas plane was an older one as they had stopped the A380s at that time but it was roomy, clean and the cabin crew were lovely.
The check in for V at LAX was super crowded, noisy and the staff did not give the impression they were happy to be there- in fairness to them though they were dealing with a LOT of people with overweight bags. The flight, food and staff were ok, no better or worse than any other airline (apart from Cathay- theyre brilliant).
Personally I'd just go with whoever has the better deal at the time- for me next Dec it's Qantas on my ff points

Thanks for the feedback re check in at LAX, the place is a zoo at the best of times......so I'll make sure we get there a bit earlier, check in and then spend more time in the ANZ lounge

How has people found check-in from sydney....I know they dont open til exactly 3 hrs before departure...so any tips?????

 

[ame]

Thanks for the feedback re check in at LAX, the place is a zoo at the best of times......so I'll make sure we get there a bit earlier, check in and then spend more time in the ANZ lounge

How has people found check-in from sydney....I know they dont open til exactly 3 hrs before departure...so any tips?????

In LAX when flying V you use the Alaska Air Board Room. Check in can be pretty mayhem, but it's open from around 5. Also, if you're flying (or have status and access to) PE or Business, the queues are much shorter and staff much *smilier*

ANZ Lounge is from Sydney. They don't open til 3 hrs before and only set up their queue markings right before opening. The best thing you can do is just stalk the area and wait for them to open. Again, the status or premium cabin will make for a shorter queue.

 

[australiankaren]

In LAX when flying V you use the Alaska Air Board Room. Check in can be pretty mayhem, but it's open from around 5. Also, if you're flying (or have status and access to) PE or Business, the queues are much shorter and staff much *smilier*

ANZ Lounge is from Sydney. They don't open til 3 hrs before and only set up their queue markings right before opening. The best thing you can do is just stalk the area and wait for them to open. Again, the status or premium cabin will make for a shorter queue.

cant wait, I'm even looking at spending the extra $$$$$ to get into the ANZ lounge...is it worth it. We have delta club/ Alaska clubroom access in the USA so am interested in comparing the different lounges on this trip. How much booze can i drink before i look greedy

 

[Busy Busy]

Karen, you don't look greedy if you're drinking your booze from a coffee cup!

Yep, another classy tip from Busy Busy!

 

[australiankaren]

Karen, you don't look greedy if you're drinking your booze from a coffee cup!

Yep, another classy tip from Busy Busy!

thats awesome.....why hadnt i thought of that?????

will also work on the cruise, around the pool at the resort and meandering around epcot.....

 

[alicia1506]

lol @ booze from a coffee cup. fabulous idea

have only just joined the velocity rewards for VAustralia -- plan to do a fair bit of travelling in the next few years -- any word on their lounge here (BNE) and at LAX?

also, our flight arrives at 6.15am in LAX so i'm hoping not too crowded, and our departure is 11.55pm, so again... hoping not too crowded...

 

[mollymouse]

Hi - we arrived in LA on Wednesday on v Australia from Sydney. Flight was fine - check in opened about 7.30 for 10.45am flight. only issue ( other than cranky 5 year old) was no kids meals for my 7&5 year olds - was told that often requests sent through travel agents are 'lost' - so pays to confirm with airline!!

Even on early morning arrival LAX was a nuthouse! 1 1/2 hours through immigration & customs - no fun after 13 hour flight (and we were lucky enough to be sent through US citizen queue because we had the kids & that line was 1/2 as long). The staff try really hard to get everyone through but it still took ages!!

D

 

[craftymama71]

We just got back yesterday. We flew with V Australia and we loved it. I do not have one complaint about anything. We flew United a few years back - never again. We flew with Delta within the USA. Not bad, not great, bit squishy, but that's to be expected I guess.

 

[Feej]

We just got back yesterday. We flew with V Australia and we loved it. I do not have one complaint about anything. We flew United a few years back - never again. We flew with Delta within the USA. Not bad, not great, bit squishy, but that's to be expected I guess.

How were the seats? Apparently they are supposed to be a little bigger in cattle class that some of the other airlines.

 

[craftymama71]

Yes, they are very roomy. I'm not the smallest person *cough cough* but i had room to move. The inflight entertainment is great and the food is actually edible ...Even the bathroom is roomy as far as airlines go.