My good friend (and champagne connoisseur!) Matt recently returned from a trip to Australia, for which he redeemed Delta SkyMiles for travel in Virgin Australia business class. While I’ve reviewed a ton of airlines, Virgin Australia isn’t among them, and I’ve been itching to hear how they are.
So after the fact I talked Matt into sharing his thoughts about his experience on the blog. Pardon the picture quality as he wasn’t planning on writing a report, but hopefully you guys find it interesting! You can follow Matt on Instagram.
Hope you guys enjoy, and thanks for the report, Matt!
This is the first of a two part Virgin Australia / Park Hyatt Sydney review that I am putting together. Part One deals with my long and short haul flights on Virgin Australia. Part Two will include my review of the Park Hyatt Sydney and my thoughts on some restaurants and things to do while in Sydney. I hope everyone enjoys.
How To Redeem Miles On Virgin Australia
There are numerous ways to redeem for Virgin Australia flights. Ben has covered this in several other posts. I booked these flights using 150,000 Delta SkyMiles, which is probably the best option given that bookings with SkyMiles incur only ~$117 in taxes and fees, whereas redemptions through the Virgins require taxes and fuel surcharges of more than $1,000. It’s worth noting that these redemptions now cost 160,000 miles, only marginally more after Delta’s devaluation. Best of all, however, is that there is fantastic availability – even during peak times. My boyfriend and I were easily able to snag two seats that fell during a specific 9-day vacation period. I don’t know of any other airlines that routinely release as much space to Australia, and as this review should make clear, I was very impressed with Virgin’s products and service. So much so that I think it is actually worthwhile to consider applying for AMEX co-branded Delta cards (in addition to cards accruing Membership Rewards points, of course!).
Los Angeles To Melbourne
Instead of breaking this into several segments like Ben generally would, I will condense my review into the long haul and short haul segments.
My boyfriend and I checked in for our LAX-MEL flight a few hours before boarding so that we would have time to check out the Star Alliance lounge (which Virgin Australia uses despite being more aligned with SkyTeam through its Delta partnership). Check-in is somewhat strange in that Virgin Australia flights now (as of late 2013) depart from Tom Bradley International Terminal, but passengers still check-in at the Virgin Australia kiosks in Terminal 3—shared with Virgin America. Fortunately, it’s a quick walk that is even covered most of the way, in the unlikely event it is raining in Southern California, and we were in the Star Alliance Business Class lounge in no time.
Virgin Australia Check-In LAX
This was actually our first trip to the relatively new Star Alliance Business Class lounge. It was very crowded when we arrived, but we still enjoyed our experience. The food offerings were more than sufficient, with cheese and cracker selections, teriyaki chicken, some type of noodle dish, and cookies / brownies for dessert. There is also a make-your-own pho station that was so extensive it frightened me off. As for beverages, there was a plethora of self-serve red and white wine, along with a sparkling wine that I have never heard of before (and did not try). You can also order beer and other mixed beverages from one of two bars. The sauvignon blanc was certainly drinkable, although I was saving myself for the 2004 Lanson that Virgin Australia serves in business.
Overall we both enjoyed the Star Alliance lounge. The indoor and outdoor terraces are very unique (although becoming more common—e.g., Delta at JFK and ATL). I wouldn’t hesitate to spend a few hours in this lounge. As an aside, it is worth noting that Virgin Australia gives its Velocity Platinum members access to the Star Alliance First Class lounge—something not even offered to top tier Star Alliance flyers. Kudos to Virgin Australia for that.
Star Alliance Business Class Lounge LAX (taken during subsequent visit)
Virgin Australia VA24
Los Angeles (LAX) – Melbourne (MEL)
February 27
11:20PM-10:05AM (+2 days)
Seat 4A/4B
Boarding began roughly 30 minutes late. (I’m not sure exactly why, since the plane arrived more than 12 hours earlier, but I was in no real hurry.) Virgin Australia boards by zones, with Velocity Gold and Platinum invited to board along with Business Class passengers. The Virgin Australia experience began the moment we stepped inside. Everyone was quite cheerful and the lighting was classically Virgin, which is to say dim and tinted. Within about 5 minutes of boarding—admittedly a little longer than either of us would have liked—we were greeted with champagne, amenity kits, and offered pajamas. Who would say no to any of those? Not me.
As I mentioned in my review of the best first and business class champagnes, VA is the only airline besides EVA to offer vintage champagne in Business Class. I had enjoyed non-vintage Lanson on several prior occasions, and (though I know there are dissenters) I believe 2004 to be an excellent year for champagne, so I was quite excited to try it on board. Fortunately, it did not fail to impress me. It is very youthful and acid-driven, with chardonnay taking front and center over the pinot noir. If I had to be picky, I’d say this needs another two years to be ideal, but that certainly didn’t stop me from enjoying more than a bottle with the dinner service alone. The bubbles were incredibly aggressive—take a look at the picture below right after the pour; it looks like I’m having a beer!
Virgin Australia Pre-Departure Champagne
Virgin Australia Lanson 2004 Bottle
Virgin Australia’s Business Class amenity kits offer all the basics plus a bit more. You get a dental kit, ear plugs, facial tissues, a pen, socks, an eye mask, and a comb that all come together in a grey VA branded kit. In addition, Virgin Australia provides a razor, along with Grown Alchemist shaving cream, lip balm, and hand cream. This is one of the first times I’ve seen shaving cream and a razor be provided as part of a Business Class amenity kit. I’ll also note that I found the Grown brand to be quite nice. It’s much like the Australian brand Aesop, which you’ll find at the Park Hyatt Tokyo.
Virgin Australia Business Class Amenity Kit Contents
Finally, everyone loves pajamas. Ben especially loves pajamas. I may not love them as much as Ben, but I do like at least changing into the pajama bottoms for comfort. (And let’s be real, it’s not always easy to eat on a plane. I’d much rather spill on the PJs than my pants. Wouldn’t you?) I found VA’s pajamas to be excellent. They are made almost entirely of cotton and are a nice dark grey color with purple drawstrings. Of note to those of you that enjoy wearing airline pajamas at home, since these PJs have a low percentage of synthetic fibers in them, they do not shrink quite as much as 100% cotton PJs would. That puts them somewhere in between AA’s (which hardly shrink at all) and Air China’s (which could fit a Barbie doll after two cycles through the dryer).
Virgin Australia Pajamas Pouch
Virgin Australia Pajamas Pouch
I had so much fun playing with my amenity kits I almost neglected to pull the menu and wine list out from the seatback in front of me. But don’t worry, that crisis was averted. To be honest, I wasn’t in too much of a rush because VA actually publishes their menus online, so I already had a good idea of what was going to be offered. In fact, the dinner menu on our flight was identical to the one posted online.
Virgin Australia Menu, Wine List, And Boarding Pass
Virgin Australia Business Class Dinner Menu Los Angeles To Melbourne
As you can see from the pictures, VA offers a nice variety of options ranging from meat to fish to vegetarian. I always appreciate seafood options (no—not only because they pair better with champagne). We began with a mix of warm spiced nuts and a second glass of the 04 Lanson. (NOTE: the menu lists the champagne as 2002 Lanson, but only 2004 was catered on both my flights. The updated menu correctly lists 2004.)
Virgin Australia Business Class Champagne Menu
To start, I had the butternut pumpkin, ginger, and orange soup with chives to start, while my boyfriend had the baby rocket, watercress, radicchio, pear and walnut salad. My soup was fantastic; I wouldn’t hesitate to order it in any restaurant on the ground. The salad looked fantastic as well.
Virgin Australia Business Class Soup
Virgin Australia Business Class Salad
For my main, I selected the arctic chard filet with green asparagus spears, salsa verde, and lemon wedge. It came as described, and was quite tasty. My boyfriend had the char-grilled chicken with cauliflower puree, petit pois, streaky bacon, and cos lettuce. He seemed to really like it.
Virgin Australia Business Class Main Course
Virgin Australia Business Class Main Course
We skipped the cheese course, but the options looked fantastic. For dessert, we both had the cassis and raspberry mousse on dark chocolate brownie cake with berries. It was perhaps the best dessert I’ve ever had on a plane.
Virgin Australia Business Class Dessert
Virgin Australia has little “room service” style breakfast order forms, much like those used by LAN and other airlines. I failed to take a picture of breakfast, but the bircher muesli was fantastic. So fantastic that I asked for more. I wouldn’t miss this on any VA long haul flight.
Virgin Australia Business Class Breakfast Menu Los Angeles To Melbourne
Virgin Australia uses the Virgin Red entertainment system. In Business Class, your IFE monitor flips out from the seat. It’s a perfect size (12.1 inches), especially since it’s much closer to you than it would be if built into the back of the seat in front of you, as is often the case these days. I thought the movie selections were superb. There were a number of blockbuster movies that you’d expect to see, along with quite a few Academy Award nominated films (this flight was a week before the Oscars). I first watched Twelve Years a Slave and then decided I needed something a little lighter, so I opted for Baggage Claim. Needless to say the former is considerably more praiseworthy than the latter, but both entertained me.
I realize it might strike all of you as strange that you have been reading for days a while and still heard no real mention of the seat. Don’t worry! I was in it for 14 hours (twice), so I have plenty to say about that too. The thing is, things are a bit backwards on VA. Generally, most of us think of business class as being about the seat. We want something that lies flat and is comfortable. We’ll manage to live on what few food items might be edible and, ideally, we’ll sleep all the better due to a shortage of glucose. Not the case on VA. Not only was the food fantastic, the service was on par with some First Class service I have experienced. I didn’t need to ring my call button at all during the scheduled service time because there were no less than three FAs in the forward cabin at any time. However, when I woke up thirsty with about 3 hours left before landing, I rang the call button and an FA appeared from behind the curtain in flash. Not only that, he actually hurried over to me. He made it clear that he wanted to provide excellent service. The same was true later in flight when I ordered a coffee (or, rather a “long black” as the Aussie’s call them). The FA came rushing out to meet my request. Virgin Australia corporate—if you’re reading this—the entire February 27 crew on VA24 deserves your praise.
I also loved some of the little touches that VA offers. The place settings were definitely among the best I’ve seen offered in Business Class. The opera house salt and pepper shakers are especially precious. It’s also great that there was a self-service bar area located behind row 4. Many airlines offer bars in business class now, but it’s not too common to see one as extensive as this on a 777. And I am certain that none of them have free pour vintage champagne in Business Class.
Virgin Australia Business Class Bar
Alright, you’ve waited long enough—the seat! Admittedly, this is not the newest or fanciest hard product out there. The cabin is laid out in a 2-3-2 configuration, which is not always ideal. However, we were traveling in one of the left-hand side twosies, and found it perfectly comfortable. The seats are certainly wide enough and well padded, with intuitive controls and in seat power. There is also a divider that flips out and makes it such that you do not see your seatmate if you get in a fight with them mid-flight don’t want to. Moreover, there is enough space between rows that you can easily get up from the window or middle seat without disturbing the person next to you. Finally, it’s worth noting that Qantas Business Class is not really any more private. On the other hand, Delta and Air Canada’s seats are almost too private—in that you cannot talk to a travel companion at all when seated.
Virgin Australia 777-300ER Business Class Cabin
Virgin Australia 777-300ER Business Class Seat
The Virgin Australia seat converts into a 6’2” fully flat bed, and your delightful VA crew will happily offer turn down service complete with mattress pad and a substantial blanket. All this was done, according to my FA, to ensure I would have “sweet dreams.” (As if the champagne wasn’t enough.)
Virgin Australia Business Class “Stars”
I slept roughly 8 hours under Virgin’s simulated starry night—as much as I ever sleep, anywhere. Overall, despite it being a bit older, even the hard product is well thought out and perfectly comfortable.
Before landing at Melbourne, the crew handed out customs forms and also provided each business class passenger with an “Express Path Card” for priority customs. I found that these were unnecessary as long as you presented a business class ticket.
Virgin Australia Business Class Express Path Card
Transfer was a breeze in Melbourne, even in the early morning. If you are connecting through MEL you should note that the International and Domestic terminals are separate, such that you must clear security again (like in the US). On the positive side, domestic security in Australia is not nearly as intense as in many other countries. You need not remove liquids and shoes can stay on. It was refreshingly simple, like Pre-Check without a half-dozen confused first-time users and 32 otherwise idle TSA agents yelling conflicting commands.
Melbourne to Sydney
Business passengers have access to the Virgin Australia lounge network when traveling domestically. Notably, international passengers use Air New Zealand’s Koru Clubs at SYD and MEL. The Virgin Australia lounge was perfectly nice. I actually only went inside to snap a picture or two for this report, given that our layover was quite short. The food offerings were more extensive than US domestic lounges, and the overall environment looked like a slightly trendier Sky Club.
Virgin Australia Lounge Melbourne
Virgin Australia VA841
Melbourne (MEL) – Sydney (SYD)
March 1
12:00PM-1:25PM
Seat 2A/B
Unlike short intra-European business class flights, on which the middle seat of a standard economy row is blocked off and a better meal is provided, Virgin Australia provides a “true” business class cabin for its intra-Australian flights, even flights as short as MEL-SYD.
Virgin Australia 737 Business Class
VA boards short hops like this one only 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Their boarding process is rather unique, in that they board the first 15 rows through 1L and the rear of the plane through 2L on their 737-800s. VA managed to make boarding look easy, something US airlines cannot say. Once on board we were offered drinks and asked what meal we wanted. Our options were either a beet salad or something involving beef. Mind you this flight was scheduled for 1 hour and 1 minute of flight time. Impressive offerings if you ask me. We both opted for the beet salad, which was delicious (as was the chocolate and dried cherry rice crispy treat-like dessert).
Virgin Australia Business Class Snack
Overall there is nothing bad to say about VA short haul service. The seat is as nice as anything you’ll find on US carriers in domestic “first class” and the service was better than I generally receive on United or Delta. I also loved that the planes are new. I’ve certainly been on some newer American and United 737s, but this one even smelled new. It’s also worth noting that the cabin was spotless—not a crumb or left over service item in sight.
Conclusion
I think the foregoing leads to only one conclusion: fly Virgin Australia!
Hi Matt- if you're still getting notified about posts...how busy was the bar during your flight? I'm doing the same route in a few months and am wondering if the bar is dead since it's an overnight flight. Thanks!
@Jimmy
Arctic Char is the fish. Tsk, tsk, they got it wrong. Chard is a vegetable. Arctic Char is related to salmon and equally delicious.
Thanks so much for the posts! We are traveling VA for the first time Dec 31. hope there will be a party on board:) We just booked, and found better availability/mileage cost to go from LAX to Melbourne rather than Sydney, through Brisbane. It was 160 Delta miles for business. Since we are touring all over Australia, really didnt care which city we start in. We will fly out of BNE back to LA. However,...
Thanks so much for the posts! We are traveling VA for the first time Dec 31. hope there will be a party on board:) We just booked, and found better availability/mileage cost to go from LAX to Melbourne rather than Sydney, through Brisbane. It was 160 Delta miles for business. Since we are touring all over Australia, really didnt care which city we start in. We will fly out of BNE back to LA. However, we could not get our cross country trip (Dulles to LAX) included. They tried- at one point had us going to from Washington to Minneapolis to Singapore and somewhere else- to Sydney, 50+ hours and 300? miles. Instead we are using USAirways miles (25 each way) for first class to get to LAX. Can't wait to drink champagne in my pjs!
I am travelling in November 2014 from Bne to LAX Business class on VA7 what are the seats like in rows 1 and 2 - we booked 4 seats
5G is a great seat and won't be bothered by the bathrooms as they'll likely have the curtains drawn around you during the night. It's a great row if you can snag seats here.
Is seat 5G OK ? Is it too close to the bathrooms?
What exactly is Arctic Chard?
I've got a SEA>SYD trip coming up for business in J. What do you guys think... Korean via ICN, or via LAX on DL or Virgin. Leaning towards DL out of LAX for status, or trying for the DL code on Virgin. I love the look of the Virgin service, but as a solo traveler, the DL hard product seems a better bet - no? Interested in people's thoughts.
@Joe, you can only snag row 5 seats within 24 hours. I tried many times calling VA when they opened but the delta award tickets makes VA very fussy about them requiring you to call Delta (who can't see row 5). Ask first thing at checking with VA! I had much better luck at checkin.
Flying out in September on VA, anyone have any tips on how to snag aisle 5 seats?
i like the guest trip report. it is awesome! @Lucky - you should have @Matt or other guest showing up more often, spicy up! of course, I still love your posting all the time.
@Mitch - Thanks for the connecting flight info. To the people that were asking about availability, I booked 11 mos. out and was able to snag VA biz seats for my family of 4 in June. MEL and BNE were generally available, but realize that VA only flies those routes like 4x/week. SYD had some availability but it may be easier to connect to SYD via MEL or BNE (if you want to visit MEL...
@Mitch - Thanks for the connecting flight info. To the people that were asking about availability, I booked 11 mos. out and was able to snag VA biz seats for my family of 4 in June. MEL and BNE were generally available, but realize that VA only flies those routes like 4x/week. SYD had some availability but it may be easier to connect to SYD via MEL or BNE (if you want to visit MEL or BNE remember that DL allows stopovers). If you don't live in SoCal, the hardest part of the booking process is finding domestic flights to get you to LAX. We ending up booking the domestic segments in economy, which stinks because the overall mileage amount allows for First, but you'll be extremely lucky to find domestic First available to LA at the low award level.
Great review Matt! I really enjoyed my flight on VA in November. If you ask nicely, the adorable Opera House salt & pepper shakers can be yours. Looks great when I dine at home and recall the great experience. The crew is consistently top-notch, with attentive service and genuine smiles. They really want you to enjoy your trip and will ensure you a fantastic journey.
I agree, the pajamas are perfectly comfortable and still...
Great review Matt! I really enjoyed my flight on VA in November. If you ask nicely, the adorable Opera House salt & pepper shakers can be yours. Looks great when I dine at home and recall the great experience. The crew is consistently top-notch, with attentive service and genuine smiles. They really want you to enjoy your trip and will ensure you a fantastic journey.
I agree, the pajamas are perfectly comfortable and still use them as they've not shrunken to Barbi size.
On thing on the seat, it's hard to tell in the photos, but there's a huge handle on the backside of each seat so it's really convenient for your seatmate who needs to step over your reclining feet to have something to hold onto. I didn't find the window seat any difficulty in accessing the aisle when the companion seat is in bed mode.
Ladies might be interested to know that the FAs reserve one of the three lavatories for ladies only. I suppose us guys are too messy.
Worth mentioning that the best seats are in Row 5 if you want a real treat. After dinner service, the FAs will enclose each pairing of 2-3-2 in a ceiling to floor curtain....feels like a double bed suite for the 2 pairings. Really private and quiet.
Looking forward to flying it again someday. Great use of SkyPesos!
@ Andrew -- You check-in and get BPs in T3 and then walk outside, approximately 200 feet, to TBIT. It is 80% covered (not that it rains here). You clear security at TBIT, which is unfortunate because TBIT security is horrendous at peak times. You do get the Business/First "Express" line--not that it usually helps much.
Great review, thanks!
@Autolycus: I live in BNE and travel domestically and internationally quite often. I have never seen anyone have their hand luggage refused on a VA or QF flight and I've seen plenty of massive pieces or people with multiple pieces of hand luggage!
I think it'd be amazing to read about a threeway between Matt, his boyfriend and Ben lol
Does anyone know how long their menus run for? Do you think this will be same menu in May?
@ Ellen -- The URL to the dinner menu suggests it's the menu for March through June.
@Autolycus: I had no hassling with hand baggage at LAX or BNE. I had a rollaboard that I bought when I lived in Europe, though, so it's LCC compliant and ultra-light. An overstuffed bag might raise some red flags, but I didn't really feel like anyone was even looking at it seriously. I was travelling with a slimmer laptop bag than I normally do, in part because I had a bunch of domestic flights in...
@Autolycus: I had no hassling with hand baggage at LAX or BNE. I had a rollaboard that I bought when I lived in Europe, though, so it's LCC compliant and ultra-light. An overstuffed bag might raise some red flags, but I didn't really feel like anyone was even looking at it seriously. I was travelling with a slimmer laptop bag than I normally do, in part because I had a bunch of domestic flights in NZ on RJs, so I figured I needed to be able to go fairly light at times.
How did you find business awards for only 150,000 miles??? The least I'm seeing is 240,000 miles per ticket.
Matt, you said you checked in at T3 at LAX, but you had to walk to TBIT - did you have to walk outside, next to the roadway? Or is there a way to connect within the terminal? I'm assuming you made the walk pre-security and then went through security at TBIT?
Thanks - enjoyed the report!
@Mitch, thanks for responding! I'm actually originating in ATL, so I'll cross my fingers that they can figure out the visa situation. Was your carry-on (aka hang baggage) experience on the BNE-WLG leg similar to Matt's Australia domestic? (i.e. not weighed and not measured)
And I didn't say it originally, but @Matt, thanks for the great review!
@Autolycus: I did LAX-BNE-WLG last May. It's all in the international terminal. You'll need to clear security, but it's easy and not a lot of transfer traffic internationally from that flight. (If not originating at LAX, be prepared to explain to 100 different DL staffers that WLG is in NZ and visas are not required.)
@Erik: I flew OMA-MSP-LAX-BNE-WLG in May last year. DL could not issue BPs for the VA flights online or at...
@Autolycus: I did LAX-BNE-WLG last May. It's all in the international terminal. You'll need to clear security, but it's easy and not a lot of transfer traffic internationally from that flight. (If not originating at LAX, be prepared to explain to 100 different DL staffers that WLG is in NZ and visas are not required.)
@Erik: I flew OMA-MSP-LAX-BNE-WLG in May last year. DL could not issue BPs for the VA flights online or at OMA or MSP. However, they were able to check my bags through without incident. Have your baggage claim slip handy when you check in with VA, however, as they may ask for the number on it. They'll get your bag from DL and re-tag it with their own tags, but you won't have to worry about dealing with that.
// I'm completely mortified I even made that joke. But I guess any post about an airline named "Virgin" necessarily brings out the snickering 14 year old in all of us.
I'm enjoying (though feeling like a finger-waiving adult at the same time) watching the comments section of this post slowly turn into an M4M chat session. Matt, Ben and his friends are all indeed devilishly attractive, but keep it together, people-- this post is about Virgin Australia, not Virgin Ass Trollers. (Please forgive the pun. I just couldn't help it.)
@Matt…. great flight and you are super cute
@ John -- Sorry, I should have explained that.
E = part of the "express" meal for those looking to eat quickly and sleep.
V = vegetarian
H = "healthy"
@curious. Keep your homophobia to yourself. I come here to read reviews and analysis, not hate speech.
Matt- What is E,V, and H on the menu? Also, why didn't you stay in MEL for a few days?
@ Nick -- LAX-MEL was much easier to snag than LAX-SYD. LAX-SYD tends to have a single seat available well in advance (even on DL), but I haven't seen two seats. LAX-BNE is also generally a good route for 2 seats. Connections are quite simple, and it might even be nice to just hang out in BNE or MEL for a few days.
@Matt Great review! Thanks for being a guest blogger. I confess I didn't know what vintage champagne was until reading the menu you included.
@Virgin Australia--Um, that would be artic char, not chard. ;-)
@Matt, is the LAX-MEL route a lot easier to snag than LAX-SYD? I just did a few dummy searches on DL for the SYD route and I got nothing, close-in, a few months out and 11 months out.
@ Erik -- I did start at LAX. I can say that I'm certain DL can interline baggage onto VA (because I heard an agent talking about it at SYD for another customer). As for issuing the BPs I'm unsure.
Does anyone else have an answer for Erik?
@ Curious - Wait, Curious is doing a threesome with his friends?
@ Ellen -- You do indeed get to keep the PJs!
@ Joey -- The TV flips up from between the space between the seats. I watched a movie during the meal service--don't worry!
@ Tom -- Great question. While checking in a LAX we were told our carry on bags (mine was a 20" Tumi Alpha International) were overweight and that we should "carry some of the excess items in our hands during boarding."...
@ Ellen -- You do indeed get to keep the PJs!
@ Joey -- The TV flips up from between the space between the seats. I watched a movie during the meal service--don't worry!
@ Tom -- Great question. While checking in a LAX we were told our carry on bags (mine was a 20" Tumi Alpha International) were overweight and that we should "carry some of the excess items in our hands during boarding." I completely ignored this suggestion, and I was actually boarded by the same agent, who said nothing about it. On the return and intra-Australian flights no one said a thing. So I'd say you're fine.
@Matt - did you start your trip in LAX or arrive via connecting flight on DL/AS? I am taking this flight at the end of May and will be on a DL flight to LAX connecting to VA. Reason that I ask the question: occasionally DL has some partners where they do not have good interconnection agreements. Normally this usually means that they cannot issue the boarding pass for the partner airline, but in the...
@Matt - did you start your trip in LAX or arrive via connecting flight on DL/AS? I am taking this flight at the end of May and will be on a DL flight to LAX connecting to VA. Reason that I ask the question: occasionally DL has some partners where they do not have good interconnection agreements. Normally this usually means that they cannot issue the boarding pass for the partner airline, but in the worst case you have to collect checked luggage from DL and re-checkin with the partner. Ideally, when I checkin with DL, I get my DL and VA boarding passes with luggage checked through to Australia and thus only have to walk from Terminal 5 to Bradley terminal. That would stink if you had to go T5->T3->Bradley.
Whoops... That should be LAX-BNE-WLG. Fingers went faster than my brain.
We're also flying back CHC-BNE-LAX, but that's a >3 hr connection, so I'm not worried even if I have to change terminals--which I shouldn't.
@Lantean, so true about their flights to NZ being long enough to justify a business class vs. the "premium economy" that they have. Unfortunately that distinction means you can only book regular economy through SkyMiles since DL has no way to book the P fare that is premium economy.
And a question for the crowd: Does anybody have experience connecting internationally through BNE? I'm booked on VA LAX-BNE-WGN with a 1:20 layover. My understanding is...
@Lantean, so true about their flights to NZ being long enough to justify a business class vs. the "premium economy" that they have. Unfortunately that distinction means you can only book regular economy through SkyMiles since DL has no way to book the P fare that is premium economy.
And a question for the crowd: Does anybody have experience connecting internationally through BNE? I'm booked on VA LAX-BNE-WGN with a 1:20 layover. My understanding is that I shouldn't need to clear customs or immigration and will not need to change terminals, but I haven't found a definitive answer. Does VA funnel all arriving passengers into BNE to the exits?
Do they let you keep the pajamas? I've heard sometimes VA takes them back. Also was there room to get up and around your seat partner when the seats were in the lie flat position?
Thank you!! Great review! I'm going in May, and I have been looking for a good review like this one.
Ben, have you ever had threesome with Matt and his boyfriend?
Great review! Looking forward to part 2...
Take a picture of your boyfriend, Matt! Nice review.
Boyfriend.....
awesome review, Matt! Quick question -- where is the TV? Was that a piece of cloth covering the TV during your LAX-MEL flight? I'd imagine you at least watched one movie during the 14 hour flight?
I flew VA only from SYD-LAX on an award in February. The rest of my ticket was on Delta (Yes, I actually found a DL Biz Class award seat to SYD). I agree with all that was said here, and if traveling with a companion the point about Delta's seat being too private are quite true. This is where a reverse herringbone like CX Biz really shines, as you can practically choose your level of...
I flew VA only from SYD-LAX on an award in February. The rest of my ticket was on Delta (Yes, I actually found a DL Biz Class award seat to SYD). I agree with all that was said here, and if traveling with a companion the point about Delta's seat being too private are quite true. This is where a reverse herringbone like CX Biz really shines, as you can practically choose your level of privacy. But, as a solo traveler, I much preferred Delta. Didn't hurt that it was on the way to SYD and was able to sleep where the VA flight was midday and I wasn't tired until I landed.
From my experience, what I saw in these photos fall way short of Qantas service.
so Matt has a boyfriend now? i want one too!
LOL
anywho... very good review. i had similar experience on my LAX-BNE flight. service on par with some first class trips. they let me keep the salt and pepper shakers.
on the return the service was a little less attentive... still very decent for biz class.
nice seats on the MEL-SYD route... it's beyond me why they don't have biz class on their...
so Matt has a boyfriend now? i want one too!
LOL
anywho... very good review. i had similar experience on my LAX-BNE flight. service on par with some first class trips. they let me keep the salt and pepper shakers.
on the return the service was a little less attentive... still very decent for biz class.
nice seats on the MEL-SYD route... it's beyond me why they don't have biz class on their routes to NZ... those are much longer flights!
love the grown alchemist skincare... still using it now.
by far the best use of skypesos.
;)
Did you have any problems with carry on baggage? I've ready that VA enforces a strict limit of something like 8kg for in cabin luggage which kind of prevents doing a carry on only long haul trip.