Virgin is a strange beast in Australia. Even Virgin Atlantic has had major financial issues over the years dating back to over ten years ago. Virgin Australia today has lost the 'sexiness' which really is the Virgin brand which in some ways is a pity because that's what Branson used to set them apart from the others, but even Atlantic is NOT a big airline, and at the end of the day if you can build a solid brand which is reliable, friendly enough you will do ok, and they have. The Velocity program right now I feel is streets ahead of Qantas FF, and as for the food Qantas is ok I think, however - the celebrity chef crap is a waste of money on their behalf and oversells what you get on board in a pretentious and pointless way. . I'm busy rebuilding my balance on Velocity after my trip earlier this year. sorry I have ramble somewhat incoherently - it's my 'thing' lol! Another great review!
Your rambles are very welcomed in my videos! If Velocity works for you, then consolidate all your activities there and watch the points grow. As much as I rant about QF, all my activities are centered around QFF.
Hi Ryan, after doing VOZ MCY-MEL-MCY in the front cabin a few times recently, I agree with your summation. It's about-ish the same unextravagant level as Qantas but at a lower price point. The 737-800 interiors are starting to show their age a bit, looking a bit tired even though they were clean, but without the modern amenities we expect now (like charging points and screens). I did get one that was more recent and I think an ex (Thai budget carrier?) plane but they hadn't done too much with that. You can tell it by the lack of the purple plastic screen between Business and EconomyX and the tiniest variation in cabin layout. VOZ comes across as efficient and mid budget while trying to hide cost savings- I noticed the purple VOZ paper bands on the serviettes weren't there the last two flights! The experience isn't anywhere near as lavish as it was pre-virus, but it still gets you there. Unfortunately we got the same meal options each time- beef ragu or pumpkin ravioli. The flight attendant was enthusiastic and business like so there's no complaints there. I think BNE-PER would hit my limit on the -800. And MEL lounge is still MEL lounge (not much has changed) Did I miss the Gympie-BNE review, or is there 9/10 of nothing to review anyway??? 🤭
That's the thing with QF, they charge those prices because their customers are so intertwined into their FF program, they'll pay anything to fly. And QF doesn't have to splash out the best, in fact they've stripped their in-flight service to the bare minimum... And they'll still have returning customers. Not to mention a level of protection from Canberra makes them so emboldened to give us shit. The Gympie -Brissy video will be out in probably 2 weeks and it'll be the last episode of this series. So stay tuned!
Virgin is my airline of choice. Had some bad times with the Flying Kangaroo. Don’t bother with Business BNE to SYD and back though. Don’t buy food on board. Can see potential for some interesting OS routes, and at the right price.
I flew the new trial business class cabin last year between Perth and Melbourne. I got it with the upgrade lottery that Virgin have and it only cost an extra 200 dollars. It was worth it for the lounge access between my flights alone
@@ryansofly I got lucky. I didn't even know what I was on until the guy next to me explained it to me. He was a massive plane nerd and had booked the flight specifically to fly on that plane with the new cabin.
A pretty fair precis of the Virgin Australia domestic experience. I now use Virgin much more than Qantas, as I feel they are better value for money, the service is as good as Qantas in my experience, if not a bit better, and they haven't ever lost my luggage or cancelled a flight on me. Ok! Maybe I just happened to be lucky, but it's happened to me often on Qantas and Jetstar. Also, because I fly Singapore Airlines pretty much exclusively internationally, I get Virgin Velocity points which I can use on domestic flights. It works for me!
@@ryansofly the only time I ever flew internationally with Virgin, was Sydney to Hong Kong, but this was pre-Covid, and the flight was on their A330. I have to say it was pretty good. But no way would I want to do a long haul on a smaller aircraft like the 737.
@@juliedahl507 yes I've decided to fly Virgin too , and my QF points accumulated will just be used to redeem flights of their international partners. I've never ever paid to fly QF, just don't see the point.
@@ryansofly hola my friend! Too much long. I have been creating time to listen to your videos while walking home from study. Taher 30min. I’ve been wanting to be part of your channel for ages
I recently went to Auckland on the A330 Business class with Qantas- Great service and seating. I normally fly Virgin Business class and thought I would give Qantas Domestic business class ago. Business Class with Qantas domestic was terrible both ways. The person to the side of me had a bag dropped on him by the flight attendant and they made me remove my bag out the baggage cupboard above me to make room for an economy passenger and stow my bag under the seat in front of me. They were lucky I had more leg room, or I would have been more pissed off and to cap it off they don't block economy off when you are leaving the plane like Virgin does. I felt like I was on the school bus back in primary school with everyone trying to get off as quickly as possible. Virgin Australia business wins my domestic business each time except for the Sydney to Perth journey when I will book the A330 Business class seat as its nicer to sit in that seat for the longer journey's.
QF inflight service is generally ok. It's the hard product which leaves a sour taste. On this trip, I flew BNE AKL on China Airlines on the A350 in business class for 860 one way. QF had the audacity to charge me more than 1200 one way on a domestic configured 737 for that same flight. Go figure.
@@ryansofly Virgins route network may be a skeleton of its former self, but VA still has Codeshares on many International routes with other airlines, which intern have codeshares on many of VA Domestic flights, allowing for seamless Domestic Connections
@@ryansofly look at United. Their Brisbane - LA service is operated with VA doing a codeshare. VA used to operate that service with 777 Widebodies before the pandemic. VA also codeshares with Qatar Airways & Singapore Airlines.
We absolutely need Virgin firing in this market. Personally, I don't see Bonza even being one inch of a threat to QF, they seem to serve a whole different market entirely and their growth seems to currently be very limited with those less common routes. Of course JQ is just more profit for QF. Rex is still quite small, so we really only have Virgin to help bring down prices, so great to see a good product and service offered.
I love VA! And in this nation, we need more than one carrier. I’m gold with them, and have always had fantastic service and experience travelling with them! In saying all this I cannot stand our national carrier, they have really let the nation down, corrupted our politicians and taxpayers and their staff have completely let themselves down with their appalling and pathetic customer service.
Don't think our national carrier is getting a lot of love at the moment. I have one last video with QF and I'm already lining up the story board for it. It will invoke a lot of reactions from both camps, I think.
They should fly against Qantas from Darwin to SIngapore, because A. Better vibes and B. It’s in a Boeing 737 instead of E190’s and they should start it before 9/12 to get the jump on them
Virgin is my go to airline, often tempted to move 2 rows forward into business, but I think nuh just about there, get all the perks except the food. Often watching the BC people getting served. 🙏🙋♀️ thanks for the video. Safe travels
You should do it one day just for kicks. But never ever pay full fare, look out for BUSINESS PROMO fares when booking your seat. You'll know when it's there.
Most people don’t fly business class between Adelaide and Melbourne as the flight is usually only 1 hour and 15 minutes so it’s perceived by many Australians as a waste of money. Because it can cost AU $679.00 on business class or more per person one way.
Flights like these are great for something called a status run. Which works great especially if you're just that smidge away from the next tier. And no, never ever pay full fare. Always, ALWAYS fly Business Promo because they sometimes work out cheaper than economy.
@@ryansofly - Yes because the “normal” price of AU $679.00 is not value for money when you consider the quality of food provided. I’ve seen the same Quiche in the warmer (ready to eat) at Woolworths in the deli area for about $3.99. And you can buy a cold bottle of water from the coke machine in the airport terminal for $3.00 and bring that on the flight.
Hey Ryan great review on virgin Australia what they offer, it’s good we have them for competition with qantas.. sad thing qantas will always be number 1 due to the government helping them
QANTAS is so entrenched into our daily psyche, people will still fly them no matter the circumstances. Its top of mind, feels like home, or whatever the branding dictates how we think of that airline. Lol...
@@ryansofly your 💯 right it’s so annoying with everything expensive we need more competition in Australia but qantas will Always be the main dog in the Australian airline industry
There are definitely 2 camps of QF flyers. The yes and no camps. I was previously an ardent yes until they began to piss me off bit by bit. Then i took a step back and began taking stock of how much they've diluted over the years. Then COVID came about, and I started flying VOZ when state borders began opening. So to be fair, I've never really experienced the first VOZ, only the 2.0 version.
@ryansofly1624 my partner needed to pick something up from Auckland and I'm a couple hundred points off ALL silver so why not. Not a bad hotel it's older but everything still feels good quality and I love the pool and sauna area. Pullman Auckland Airport opens December 15 :D
I wanted to be patriotic and we flew Qantas from Melbourne to Brisbane and back and the flight back turned us off Qantas. Later we did the same Flight with Virgin, Economy up and Business back and they were miles better than Qantas. Now we would not fly witn Qantas if they paid us
Sadly, patriotism doesn't pay dividends. QF preys on this love for country through their ads like FEELS LIKE HOME, and makes you feel you're doing something right by stepping in board the red kangaroo. The last episode of this series, I'll once again pay homage to the present state of affairs with that airline in question.
Because Qantas is so dreadful in all facets...hire Aussie crew instead of SCAB labour from overseas...this is not the Australian way CEO of Qantas but she couldn't care she want part of Alan Joyce profits...GREED
Hahahahaha you're aware of Uncle Roger! Yes, cultural misappropriation through food is a HUGE bug bear of mine, especially when I come from such a serious foodie cultural background.
@@ryansofly same bro. I’m mixed and it pisses me off to no end- long before Uncle Roger was even a thing. There will be no fuiyoh for Qantas’ mangey menu from me- I haven’t flown with them since I was a child and that was 4 decades ago. Overpriced, pretentious and cringey takes on international food. Looking forward to your next travels!
