It’s not all Covid.
In case you forgot VA went into administration and exited with a new owner, Bain Capital.
If you compare the J fares against QF you can see why either, depending on your perspective:
1) QF fares are extortionate;
2) VA product could be better but expect higher fares.
Y is quite basic but the food was never a highlight in Y - rather the fares be lower. Best legroom of any narrow bodies in Australia (except REX which use ex-VA planes and are therefore identical). For a 1 hour hop it’s fine.