markis10

Given its about VA not checking ID I am not so sure.

Nugget_Oz

If you check in online you don't get your ID checked at all, ever.

serfty

Qantas don't check much either, if ever - it's a general topic.

CPMaverick

Agreed, it is not VA specific (all Australian airlines are the same in this regard). Definitely off-topic. Sorry about that.

BNEFlyer

I've never bought a VA J fare, but I'd absolutely bid to upgrade or use points on CNS-SYD. I do it for BNE-SYD.

Duograph B15507

To the original poster's questions about Econ V. Biz...

I fly Syd > Cns (and return) on average once a year. Flight time is roughly 3h15m. Summer is not a nice time to be in Cairns - heat, humidity, mosquitoes, risk of downpours and families galore in the Xmas/school holidays peak period.

I typically encountered one-way prices of $280 in economy or around $900 in business. The business seats are usually empty-ish - two or three passengers in a section that may accommodate 8 to 10 passengers. (I can't recall seat numbers exactly).

The view out the window might be okay, but apart from that, flying is not a huge excitement to me (I'm not a Sam Chui type), so the steep/extra fees for a business class ticket (triple the price) are not justifiable for me. The destination should be more important than the flight.

I have never flown on a sale ticket, so I can't compare how a reduced price compares to normal fares.

I book the economy extra leg room seat (about $30) and an extra checked bag for my filming and recording equipment (about $30, or more when booked during check-in at the airport), so I'm already paying above the normal economy price. For me, that has been the 'happy medium' between affordability and comfort.

Interesting to note that VA economy has more legroom than the other airlines.

The business section is indeed spacier, but it looks pretty drab, like economy. It's mostly empty of other passengers, which is nice because you can stand up and move around with ease, etc.

These are my experiences only. 'YMMV'. If you can get a business seat at a nicely discounted price, take it. I would. But not at their standard business class prices. If I had a larger budget for some of the projects I undertake, I might spend the extra and book business class everywhere I go. The rest of the time, it simply comes down to justifying the price in my overall budget.

RTWFF

Don't forget that there is legislation before the Australian parliament that will allow Australia's Blackshirts (aka. Border Force) to demand photo ID of anyone they choose who is any Australian airport at all for any purpose including seeing other passengers off, and insisting they leave the terminal immediately if no ID is produced. I have on a couple of occasions been challenged by VA staff to produce photo ID to prove that I am the same person as the name on the FF card

CPMaverick

I didn't forget, I never knew.

Still, proposed legislation isn't really relevant unless it passes.

James Tran

i live in SYD and commute to CNS about once a month. the business seat isn't worth the price difference. You can barely recline back on these airplanes and the flight is only 3 hours. Economy x or economy i'll suck it up. Sometimes if I need the status credit points and have the time I'll book a flight that stops over in BNE. Keep yourself entertained on the flight...