V Australia 777 vs. Qantas A380 LAX-SYD in economy
Hi,
I've been looking into flights for a three week trip to Australia and was wondering if anyone could compare the experience in economy on the 777 vs. the A380. Any thoughts of the Virgin Blue Airpass vs. Qantas Airpass would be appreciated as well. The cost on both airlines are comparable. I and a Flying Club Gold member but not sure what clout it gives me on Virgin America and V Australia.
Programs: QF Gold, BA & Bmi Silver, IC Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,225
Check out airlinequality.net
V Australia have been getting some good reviews there. I also believe loads are about 60% on most days so you should have some extra room to spread out.
As for the A380 I think QF have cut some of those services so just double check the days it operates.
Heading out on V Australia LAX-SYD==SYD-BRS-LAX in a couple of days with the family. I hope there are a couple of extra seats nearby so the youngin's can sleep stretching out witout leaning on and disturbing the person sitting in the next seat (fingers crossed).
Programs: QF Gold, BA & Bmi Silver, IC Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,225
Hi onedog... I work at SYD airport and regularly check the display boards for pax figures whislt I'm there
I noticed during May the loads on the LAX route were coming in around 160-190 pax per flight (QF were usually high 200's and UA were high 100's).
Since we have ticked over to June, the VA loads are anywhere between 220-290.... (QF is still high 200's and UA are still high 100's occasional low 200's).
So if this stays true, I'd say you'll have a 65-70% LF so I'd ask for an extra blocked seat at checkin if avail.
Heading out on V Australia LAX-SYD==SYD-BRS-LAX in a couple of days with the family. I hope there are a couple of extra seats nearby so the youngin's can sleep stretching out witout leaning on and disturbing the person sitting in the next seat (fingers crossed).
Onedog
I assume you mean SYD-BNE-LAX via Bristol is the long way home
__________________
If God had really intended men to fly, He'd make it easier to get to the airport. — George Winters
I have a coworker who has flown all over the world on many airlines and has said that V Australia has by far one of the best economy classes with wider and comfortable seats (their entire fleet is also relatively new). Another friend who has also traveled to Africa and all over Europe was very very impressed with V Australia both in service and their planes (he was on one of their maiden flights). I have another friend who flew Qantas and said their service was great but that their economy was nothing to brag about and that the planes he was on were older. He also was supposed to fly the A380 and they all boarded the plane in Sydney but had to de-plane and get split up between two 747's because of technical problems getting the A380 engines started. I havent heard anything bad about either airline from friends, but have heard much better reviews on V Australia
Programs: QF Gold, BA & Bmi Silver, IC Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,225
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kickinit97320
One thing to keep in mind though is that if you want to earn miles V Australia doesnt have the alliances that Qantas does
But that is slowly changing. The international frequent flyer program fro VA is now virgin Atlantic's Flying club. VA/DJ are also getting closer to Delta.
Gotta Love VA's Economy Self-Service Bar! Its seemed to be more of a kids hang-out place actually. It was good that unlike QF, I could go and find a selection of branded food, not QF Tagged food.
But that is slowly changing. The international frequent flyer program fro VA is now virgin Atlantic's Flying club. VA/DJ are also getting closer to Delta.
As far as I can see, VA still use Velocity, not Flying Club?
Flew VA earlier this year and I found the experience to be absolutely terrific. I did get exit rows both ways (for which they now, apparently, charge extra). The service was awesome. The plane was half-empty, which allowed me to have all three seats behind my exit row seat to myself for 10 hours of sleep. I know this isn't a reflection of how the experience is on daily basis, so YMMV.
However, one thing that I disliked is how stiff the Y seats are. Very little cushioning of the back, which some may like and some may find very uncomfortable.
When I flew QF (747-400), the seats were more normal, but QF had less legroom than VA does in Y. If there are going to be international tie-ins with VA's FF program, as mentioned above, I would chose VA every time. It did suck not to have collected any miles on that flight, but the cost ($505 r/t from LAX) was good enough to forgo mileage.
