It’s been a while since I last few business class with Virgin Australia across the country. So long, in fact, the airline still offered flat beds on the route when I did. These days, Virgin’s business class offering seems to be consistent across the board on their 737-800 fleet, with just 8 business class seats in the exclusive cabin.
While the experience may not be as immediately impressive as it once was, this remains the airline’s premium offering. So how does it stack up? I flew from Sydney to Perth last month to find out.
Carrier: Virgin Australia
Flight Number & Route: VA569, SYD to PER
Class: Business
Seat: 2B (Aisle, 2-2 Layout)
Flight Time: 5 Hours 5 Minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
On Time? No, 1 Hour late departure and arrival
The Departure Airport: Sydney Domestic Terminal 2
As I was travelling solo, I had two options to get to the airport. Public transport – which costs over $20 per person thanks to the airport’s hefty surcharge – or Uber/Didi/Taxi. I chose the latter as it cost only a few dollars more than public transit would have, especially with the discounts that Didi offer. Didi also provide users with Velocity points, which is great if you’re a frequent flyer with Virgin Australia. I said it in my recent United Airlines review, but it’s time that Sydney Airport lower the airport surcharge for the train service. It’s actively discouraging use of the service. If you are a group of 2 or more there’s almost never a financial incentive to do anything other than drive to the airport.
My Didi ride pulled up straight to the check in area, with Virgin Australia’s premium entry no longer in operation at the end of the terminal. That’s not the only change at Sydney Airport since my last visit. In the year since I’d last travelled through they’ve added in a brand new security area.
In the space where you would once check in for non-Virgin airlines, now sits a large security operation. This was necessary for the massive new screening machines that ensure you never have to take anything out of your bag. This makes for a much quicker process, which is split across two lines. And all this is great as there is no longer any priority screening queue, even for Business Class travellers.
Checking in and Lounge Access
Before going through that process, as I had to check in a bag, I proceeded to the check in counters. If you’re a Velocity Gold or Platinum member, or if you’re travelling Business Class, you are invited to check in through a priority queue. For how many premium members they would have in that category, I’m always surprised at how small that line is, and how quick it moves. But perhaps many who fit in that category would be travelling with carry on only. Whatever the case, it was a speedy process, with Virgin’s friendly staff only asking for my Velocity membership card to see the process through.
After moving through security, I made my way to the Virgin Australia Lounge which is just as I’d remembered. There is a decent assortment of hot food and salads, and the option to make a toasty is once again part of the experience. Though no meat for this late evening occasion – just cheese and tomato. Beer and coffee are available on request and wine, tea and soft drinks are self served. I was on the last flight out for the night from Perth, though a number of other flights had been met with delays. Mine was as well – by an hour – but in spite of the delays, the lounge wasn’t too busy. There were plenty of seats available and I was able to get comfortable to work as I waited for the flight. Unlike some airline lounges around the world, they still make announcements when it’s time to go to your gate, so listen out, or look to the great Virgin Australia app for updates on your departure.
Boarding
Once at the gate, there are two lanes for boarding. One for priority customers, the other for everyone else. Travelling business class I had access to the former, so was amongst the first to board. Though with a Velocity Gold membership, I had the access either way, giving me time to get my bag into the overhead compartment and get comfortable at the pointy end of the cabin.
All you need to show is your boarding pass at the gate to get waved in, which you can access in hard copy form on request when you check in, or through the app – which gives you the option of adding it to your digital wallet. The app is also great at keeping you updated on when your bag is boarded onto the plane – I received a notification “Your Bag Is Ready To Take Off To Perth” shortly after sitting down in the cabin, much to my relief.
The Seat and Business Cabin
As the flight arrived late, there had clearly been a rush job to clean the plane. I arrived to a seat with rubbish still in the pocket, and a piece of cheese on the seat.
I was sitting on the left side of the aisle, so most of my seat’s amenities were on my left. There was a pocket there for storage, and that was also where you’d find an international plug. There is also a spot to put your drinks there you share with your neighbour, as well as the buttons to move your seat back and control the foot rest. On the right is a thin but comfortable arm rest, where you’ll also find a latch to pop out your table. The table could be used in half or full fashion, with a non-slip flap available in either format where you can rest your phone to watch the in flight entertainment. A marvellous design, if I’m honest.
The foot rest was a bit confusing to get working. You seemingly had to operate the button and pull it up with your hand at the same time. There was also an additional flap where you’d place your feet, you had to manually move. The seat back operated similarly – push the button and add weight to it at the same time. Not dissimilar from most economy class seats, just with added recline. Once you got it all into position it was comfortable enough, but ultimately I opted not to use the foot rest as it was proving too finicky. At your feet is plenty of leg room – and as there’s not enough room in the seats in front of you to put any bags in front of you, you’ll be able to use that space for longer feet, too.
I did put my seat back, but I was conscious of the economy passengers sitting behind me. This was an aspect of the changes to the plane layout that I didn’t expect to affect me as much as it did. There’s no longer a solid barrier between business class and the economy cabin – gone are those iconic purple dividers. Rather, a curtain is all that splits the cabins, keeping economy guests from the Business dedicated bathroom. In theory. Plenty of guests just walked through and used it anyway. Which honestly doesn’t bother me – I’ve been that guy when the cart is in the way from the two toilets at the back of the aircraft and I’ve been desperate.
Not helping matters though was the fact the curtain didn’t work properly. It’s supposed to latch onto the seats with a magnet, but the magnets apparently hadn’t been installed into this particular aircraft, meaning they were having to stuff the curtain behind the head rest. Which constantly fell out if I had to move it even slightly.
Irrespective of the curtain working or not, this change also removes any privacy. I could constantly feel the passengers sitting behind me watching what I was doing on my laptop, and what I was eating. It’s a bit awkward if I’m going to be honest – but that’s also me getting in own head about it all.
The Business Class dedicated bathroom itself was clean enough when we boarded, though like the seat, it was clear there was a rush job to get everyone on board quickly. Furthermore, no one gave it a clean during the five hour journey, so by its end there was quite a mess.
The Meal, Entertainment and In Flight Experience
The in flight experience started shortly after we sat down, as we were offered still water or sparkling wine in a glass before take off. No other drinks were available until after we finished the climb.
After take off, a hot meal was offered, with the lovely stewardess of our cabin taking our orders.
The vegetarian option was a creamy alfredo pasta with vegetable ratatouille and cheese, and the meat option was lemongrass chicken with herbed rice and bok choi. Your option was served with still or sparkling water, and your choice of additional beverage. Asking what spirits they have available caused some confusion as it seems different flights have different selections – but of the whiskey varieties on this flight, Johnny Walker Red Label or Jim Beam were your options. The drink was serviced with a Virgin Australia branded wooden swizzle.
I had the lemongrass chicken, and it was delicious. The serving was decent, and it was presented on proper plates with cheesecake, a warm piece of garlic bread, as well as cheese and crackers. The meal was served a little less than an hour after take off. After that, snacks were available on request, like salt and vinegar chips, or nuts with fruit. You could also get more cheese and crackers. While our stewardess wasn’t constantly in our cabin, she made regular visits to check in on everyone. I enjoyed a couple of whiskeys through the five hour flight, which was thankfully uneventful.
There was no wi-fi available on this flight, but in flight entertainment was available through the app, which you connected to through a wi-fi signal. There is a decent selection of TV shows and movies available through the app, and it works well.
Every airline at the moment is grappling with what to do with the use of lithium power banks in flight after some fire incidents on board have understandably caused concern. Singapore Airlines, for instance, is banning their use outright. Though still require it to be as close to the passenger as possible at all times. Virgin, however, have added the announcement only for the latter, saying “if you have a power bank, keep it in sight and within reach”, but not banning its use outright. This is the first policy change for airlines in a while, so it will be interesting to see how that develops.
After we landed in Perth, the staff stood at guard at the back of our cabin to ensure we departed the aircraft first. Then it was a quick walk out to get our bags.
Final Verdict
While it was disappointing to see aspects of the cabin unclean and in disrepair, and the cross country business class experience be seriously downgraded from what they once offered, this remains a decent premium service. But that’s just it – it feels on par with a premium economy service, rather than what is expected of a modern business class. Especially in knowing what it once was, it’s hard not to know that it could be so much better.
Still, the service was excellent and the food the best I’ve ever had on a domestic Australian service. I hope to see more improvements come the way of the cabin, to ensure it remains a competitive option worthy of the extra cost. Tickets are still generally at least three times that of the economy cabin, which doesn’t necessarily reflect what you get in return. And here’s also hoping that those changes – like a newer curtain – are rolled out smoother than I saw it on this particular aircraft.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
To book your flight with Virgin Australia head to virginaustralia.com.
The author flew at his own expense. Photos by the author unless otherwise listed.
