Review: Virgin Australia Business Class 777 Melbourne To Los Angeles

There is political turmoil in middle east impacting airlines services especially ME3. There's also a fiasco regarding emotional support animal in US. But you keep and stick to reviewing airline products. Really appreciate it Ben. Thanks a lot!

A great review as always. Their product looks excellent, how does it compare to NZ's C class?

What is the best currency to redeem a reward on Virgin Australia via AMEX Membership rewards? I know DL increased the number of miles needed, or is there a better alternative like NH?

They really should dump the bar. There's always at least one obnoxious drunk who suffers from Loud Voice syndrome that permeates even the best earplugs and keeps half the cabin up.

Great review! Your experience totally matches the one I had on VA's A330 between Sydney and Perth shortly after they had installed the new seats. Superb hard product—and the crew and food exceeded all expectations (even on this domestic flight).

I also loved the salt & pepper shakers, asked the flight attendant whether they sell these some place. Would have been a perfect souvenir to take back home to Europe. She checked but couldn't confirm. However, she allowed me to take the ones I had on the tray table …

Great review Ben. Been waiting for you to post this review when you first said you were flying Virgin Australia new Business product home. Looks like a great overall Business Class and I can't wait to try it myself for a direct MEL-LAX trip. One question. The Suites look pretty private/enclosed which is what I like, how did you find the privacy aspect of the Suite?

The Opera House Salt and Pepper Shakers are very cool! Wonder how many go missing each year as I'm sure some passengers take them home.

@Lucky quick question. Do you have a separate job besides OMAT? I ask because on all reviews you say you work to match US time but if you're working on reviews it shouldn't matter the time, right? Just curious! Love your site as always.

Great review Lucky - all the instalments! It's great writing. And I agree on your VA review - its consistent with my experience flying their business class to LA and back and I've done it 6 times now since they installed the new seats. The service from crew has been very consistently good and the seat itself is awesome and I prefer it to the old Qantas Skybeds on the A380. The lounges they use however is a bit inconsistent and not up to QF standards, but I think that's the only area where Qantas has the edge.

@ frank -- This is my full time job. Keep in mind writing reviews is only a small part of the blog -- the main thing is covering developments when it comes to loyalty programs, airlines, etc., and that typically happens during US east coast business hours.

It seems Matt was intent in not being upstaged by Johan. 😉

Awesome review. For a relatively small population we do it pretty well in Australia!

Bad thing about Virgin Australia is how inconsistent they are in terms of equipment and schedules and lounges and etc.

I have lounges, then some deal falls apart and I don't get lounge access. I think I'm going to fly on a widebody until they decide to put a 737 on the route. There's just too much they try to dip their toes in without actually jumping in. Join a damn alliance smh

Wow, personalized toiletries with your name on them. That's impressive! Sounds like a great flight.

I enjoyed your review of the Virgin Australia business class, Melbourne to LAX flight. My wife and I, son and his wife did the same trip at a different time. On our flight business class was completely full however, the great service you wrote about was very similar to the really great service we experienced on our flight. Our flight with VA was just great, I would certainly recommend anyone thinking of doing this trip to pay the extra and fly business class, I am sure you won't be disappointed. To Chitownflyer, who queried if Air New Zealand business class was as good. We have flown both VA and ANZ business class Melbourne to LAX and both airlines have just such great business class flights. I think it is the fantastic, friendly service both airlines give that makes them so good. The only thing about doing the trip with Air New Zealand is you have a stop over in Auckland for a couple of hours going both to and from LAX. Virgin Australia is certainly our main carrier by choice, their Boeing aircraft and great service would be hard to beat.

That service is the norm on VA J 🙂

What's that gap in the bulkhead behind the mini-cabin? Like a little peephole for the crew during boarding?

VA long haul products and services are amazing. Matt is outstanding and good looking!

I'm planning to visit Australia next year so maybe I'll head for Melbourne instead of Sydney so I can take this flight. Looks Fantastic !!!!

p.s. I have to laugh: that picture at the end, looking down on the 405, that can't be L.A. ...... there's no traffic !! But then, just to the right of the wingtip one can see the downtown skyline.

Did you notice any particular difference in the coffee quality on this flight? VA was the first airline to install the Nespresso system onboard. Wonder if it made a difference?

@Gardy That's to allow the PE pax clear line of site for take off/landing, especially handy should they crash.
There's a flap which is shut once inflight.

Question: Does Mike ever post anything on this blog? I have seen his picture in the Meet The Team section and always wonder...as long as I have been reading the blog he hasnt posted once...

@ schar - Mike's a great blogger who has written good posts on this blog before, but my guess is that Mike went to take a...hike.

I had the fortune to try this seat on a just refurbished American Airlines 777-200ER LHR DFW in April and it was quite impressive. Luckily I also had a great crew, and great food. I hope I get to fly in another plane with the Super Diamond seat soon again.

Hi Ben! Good review as always. What a great service from VA. Great , they are flying Boeing 777-300ER because it is really an amazing fleet. Plus service from VA. Happy to know that they are at no.13 at Skytrax Best Airlines.

Regards,.

Hi Ben as a VA platinum I have had the pleasure of flying business a couple of times inthis configuration and it's always the same - great. Having sat in economy hundreds of times, it has to be said, the service here is also consistently good

Probably the most comprehensive review of VA's J product I've seen- thanks so much! So helpful, and I can't wait to try these for myself next week!