2 Airlines, 2 Classes in 2 Weeks
Mar 3, 2003 | 4:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: YMML
Programs: QF NS, UA 2P
Posts: 332
2 Airlines, 2 Classes in 2 Weeks
01/02/03
MEL-HBA
DJ 174
This was to be my first flight on Virgin Blue and it was a very pleasant experience. Boarding started 5 mins late but we pushed back on time due to boarding being via both front and rear airstairs. Cabin crew bought a sense of humour to the introductions while still being professional. No meal service except what you want to buy with water and a coke costing $4.50. Not to bad considering you pay that at some cafes. The flight deck was informative in letting us know our route etc. Crew made several passes through the cabin offering both refreshments and merchandise from their range. Upon landing we left via both the front and rear stairs again. All in all this was a very positive first experience on Virgin Blue.
03/02/03
HBA-MEL
QF 1604
We were originally meant to be on a later flight but due to this flight being delayed in SYD, we asked to be moved to the earlier service. We were done so and made our way to the Qantas Club, which in Hobart is small compared to its bigger MEL and SYD counterparts. This flight to was to be delayed with boarding not starting until 5 mins after scheduled departure. Once we did board the 717, we were welcomed by our crew who all looked as though they were in their mid to late 30's. The meal service started and it consisted of a Danish, chocolate and water. I gave mine away although I was told that it was quite nice, and settled for a beer instead ($5). The cabin crew were very friendly and I later found out that most of them were ex Ansett crew. Landing was smooth and it was off to the Qantas Club to wait for our ride.
08/02/03
MEL-SYD
QF 404
This flight was upgraded using points and was to be my first QF business class experience. Check in was via the quick check machines and took less than 1 minute. After breakfast at the Qantas Club, we were among the last to board and didn't have far to go to seats 1A and 1B. Pre departure drinks were offered and the choices were water or orange juice. Glasses collected, it was time for takeoff and soon after our breakfast orders were taken. Hot and cold options were given and the hot one taken, which consisted of sausages, eggs and fruit salad. After breakfast, hot towels were passed around and we prepared for landing. There was a slight delay coming into SYD as we waited for traffic to clear. Landing was excellent and we were quickly at our gate. A fantastic experience on QF.
08/02/03
SYD-MEL
DJ 852
After a day of spotting, it was off to the DJ terminal that it shares with Regional Express and some QF flights. Check in was via the express lane as we had no luggage to check in and it was off to wait for our flight. Departure was delayed by about 55 mins as we later found out that our aircraft had gone unserviceable earlier in the day and this was a replacement. Boarding was via aerobridge at the front and airstairs at the rear of the aircraft and was completed quickly. Apologies were made for the delay by both the flight deck and the cabin crew. Service by the cabin crew was not to the standard as per the MEL-HBA flight, but was still very good. Probably had something to do with all of the delays. Upon arrival in MEL we exited via the front only as this aircraft would not be going anywhere that night.
It seems that Virgin blue will take more and more pax from QF as time passes, given their low fares and their exceptional service. That said, it has been noted that the QF level of customer service has risen of late, not only on these flights, but also on previous flights as well. If it were not for the lack of frequent flyer program and/or lounge access, I think that their market would be bigger. I certainly will fly them again when they offer some of their great airfares.
Cheers
MEL-HBA
DJ 174
This was to be my first flight on Virgin Blue and it was a very pleasant experience. Boarding started 5 mins late but we pushed back on time due to boarding being via both front and rear airstairs. Cabin crew bought a sense of humour to the introductions while still being professional. No meal service except what you want to buy with water and a coke costing $4.50. Not to bad considering you pay that at some cafes. The flight deck was informative in letting us know our route etc. Crew made several passes through the cabin offering both refreshments and merchandise from their range. Upon landing we left via both the front and rear stairs again. All in all this was a very positive first experience on Virgin Blue.
03/02/03
HBA-MEL
QF 1604
We were originally meant to be on a later flight but due to this flight being delayed in SYD, we asked to be moved to the earlier service. We were done so and made our way to the Qantas Club, which in Hobart is small compared to its bigger MEL and SYD counterparts. This flight to was to be delayed with boarding not starting until 5 mins after scheduled departure. Once we did board the 717, we were welcomed by our crew who all looked as though they were in their mid to late 30's. The meal service started and it consisted of a Danish, chocolate and water. I gave mine away although I was told that it was quite nice, and settled for a beer instead ($5). The cabin crew were very friendly and I later found out that most of them were ex Ansett crew. Landing was smooth and it was off to the Qantas Club to wait for our ride.
08/02/03
MEL-SYD
QF 404
This flight was upgraded using points and was to be my first QF business class experience. Check in was via the quick check machines and took less than 1 minute. After breakfast at the Qantas Club, we were among the last to board and didn't have far to go to seats 1A and 1B. Pre departure drinks were offered and the choices were water or orange juice. Glasses collected, it was time for takeoff and soon after our breakfast orders were taken. Hot and cold options were given and the hot one taken, which consisted of sausages, eggs and fruit salad. After breakfast, hot towels were passed around and we prepared for landing. There was a slight delay coming into SYD as we waited for traffic to clear. Landing was excellent and we were quickly at our gate. A fantastic experience on QF.
08/02/03
SYD-MEL
DJ 852
After a day of spotting, it was off to the DJ terminal that it shares with Regional Express and some QF flights. Check in was via the express lane as we had no luggage to check in and it was off to wait for our flight. Departure was delayed by about 55 mins as we later found out that our aircraft had gone unserviceable earlier in the day and this was a replacement. Boarding was via aerobridge at the front and airstairs at the rear of the aircraft and was completed quickly. Apologies were made for the delay by both the flight deck and the cabin crew. Service by the cabin crew was not to the standard as per the MEL-HBA flight, but was still very good. Probably had something to do with all of the delays. Upon arrival in MEL we exited via the front only as this aircraft would not be going anywhere that night.
It seems that Virgin blue will take more and more pax from QF as time passes, given their low fares and their exceptional service. That said, it has been noted that the QF level of customer service has risen of late, not only on these flights, but also on previous flights as well. If it were not for the lack of frequent flyer program and/or lounge access, I think that their market would be bigger. I certainly will fly them again when they offer some of their great airfares.
Cheers
