Virgin Australia Passenger Reviews and Virgin Australia Customer Trip Reports

TSV-BNE on 28th August, aboard B737-800. Checked in via internet, but had no access to printer so tried to get boarding pass from self-service kiosk at the airport - none would print mine out, so I had to go to the counter (no drama, only waited a minute). I was told at the counter that the flight was full, so they couldn't change my aisle seat to a window, but once on board I found nobody beside me, so I moved anyway! Didn't bother with food, drink or entertainment package on flight, but tea/coffee served to everyone when other passengers were getting their meals. Took off and landed on time.

Flawless trip today MEL-BNE. On time takeoff and early landing. Ground crew excellent and cabin staff friendly throughout. Luggage had arrived on belt before I got there. Superb performance even though I am a Virgin devotee.

Flying to Bali. On both of our 6hr flights we travelled in brand new planes but that's where the positive comments end. 180 passengers in economy were expected to share 2 toilets at the back of the plane while the 2 or 3 passengers in business class had their own dedicated toilet at the front of the plane that we weren't able to use. There were queues of 5-15 people for the entire flight and the passengers in the aisle seats at the back of the plane had to tolerate us all pushing past the queue to get back to our seats and bumping into their space. Add to that there was absolutely no entertainment provided - not even an inflight radio station. If that wasn't enough, bottled water was all confiscated as we entered the boarding zone in Denpasar for our 10pm - 5.30am flight home and then there was not even bottled water available for purchase on the flight! Every time we wanted water we had to buzz the flight attendant who poured us half a plastic cup of water. I will never fly with Virgin Australia again.

Adelaide to Denpasar (Bali). 2 adults and 3 boys. Under $800 each there and back. Plane left on time about 12.30pm and was a 5.5 hour flight. We took snacks on the plane. We all got a drink on the plane and one of the boys got hungry later in the flight and got a pie. We had DVD players and laptops for the boys to watch movies/games etc but you could hire entertainment units that were reasonable prices. Service was great, seats were comfortable enough and toilets were very clean. Had a smooth flight. On the way back home we had a 1am flight. Luckily in Bali we got some neck pillows which is a must, and you must remember to take a jumper on board. We had a great experience and would have no hesitation in flying with Virgin again.

SYD-BNE-SYD twice. Modern and clean aircraft. Staff friendly and efficient. All flights left close to on time with some minor delays out of Sydney on both occasion, delay was made up during both flights and landed on time. Only issue with this airline is no free snack included in ticket price as opposed to Qantas.

ADL-MEL, 17/07/12 B737-800. Early Morning flight, used mobile check-in. Short wait at bag drop (lots of flights at the same time but no more than 5 minutes). Counter staff member seemed unsure about the mobile check-in so printed me a boarding pass " Just in Case". Boarded on time, the attendant used my phone to scan, worked fine - no questions. When boarding through back doors (tarmac) was advised phone should be turned off for refuelling but needed to see my seat assignment - but all was said with a smile. Seat was 27F, 2 other passengers. Aircraft was clean being first flight of the day. Flight attendants were bright and cheery without being over the top so early in the morning. Flight departed on time and flight was uneventful. Live2Air was no charge. Luke Mangan sandwich was just as good as first flight and trolley service was prompt (while still climbing). Arrival at MEL was 7 mins ahead of schedule. Baggage was at carousel within 5-10 minutes.

We flew from Coolangatta to Sydney return in August. The outbound flight was on one of their newest aircraft with new design of roof panels and mood lighting. That flight out was comfortable enough and the return flight was on one of the older red 737 aircraft and was also comfortable enough. Flights were just as comfortable as Qantas, except you have to pay for your baggage and meals which to me is fine for a short 1-2 hour flight. Arriving from International destinations: On the return trip, we were arriving at the international terminal from a flight from Bali with Garuda. The good thing about Virgin is that they have some domestic check in desks in the international terminal. This makes international to domestic transfers so convenient. Once you come out of Quarantine etc where friends, relatives and drivers wait for passengers, turn left and walk as far as you can until you reach what looks like the end, go through the passageway and you will find the Virgin Australia check in counters and domestic transfer bus there. A couple of negative points. Those who have cheapest fares get the worst choice of seats at the rear of the aircraft when doing web check in and you don't get to use the jet bridges. If this doesn't suit you, then select your seats and see if you can change them when you arrive at the airport. The best seats at the front go to the highest or full fare passengers at first. On both flights, boarding was a little slow at the gate and staff there seemed a little disorganised compared to other flights I have been on. The only other negative point I can think about is that Virgin only allow seat selection at booking to their silver and above members - I'd like this option available to all passengers.

MEL-ADL, 12/07/12 - B737-800. Used online Check-In, arrived 45 mins before the flight, no delay at bag drop. Straight through security, and into gate lounge. Staff very chatty and friendly with elderly passengers at the gate lounge, boarding commences on-time, and even though it was a late afternoon flight the aircraft was clean, tidy and presentable. Seat was 28F and there was no one in 28 D, E. Some misbehaving passengers promptly dealt with in a professional manner before taxiing commenced. Flight departed 10 mins ahead of schedule, No charge for Live2Air. Trolley service was prompt and the Luke Mangan 'New Yorker' sandwich was really tasty and fresh. Arrived in ADL 15 mins ahead of schedule, bags were ready by the time we departed the aircraft, only small delay was that the disembarking was through front only.

MEL-BNE-MEL First time flying Virgin Australia since the facelift. Still awesome service, the aircraft was clean and comfortable. The free Foxtel was a pleasant surprise, the food was overpriced and not worth it, and would be nice to see a cheaper option than a $10 sandwich. Other than that a much more pleasant and modern experience than flying QF.

Pleasantly surprised by the comfort on this Airline with plenty of legroom in standard economy seat - only negative no catering was loaded before departure in Sydney but staff did a great job to compensate. 4 hour flight Sydney to Nadi Fiji passed quickly.

We flew to Los Angeles (return). Everything on board was great apart from gluten free meals. They were bland and dry and lacked imagination. They served grilled chicken breast without any kind of sauce, which was difficult to eat. Also served thick rice cakes for both breakfast and dinner without any butter or jam portions included on the tray. Whereas the other passengers automatically had butter and jam with their croissants. Their meals looked much more appetising. Also those with special meal requirements were served about 30 minutes before the rest of the passengers, but had to wait for drinks when the rest of the passengers were being served their meals and drinks at the same time. By then we had eaten our meal but had no appropriate accompanying drink.

OOL-MEL, 16/08. Pleasant check in agent, courteous and professional. Likewise for the J lounge staff at OOL. The lounge itself is new and spacious and a good selection of snacks. Onboard service very poor. One round of food/beverages that you pay for. What was disappointing was the lack of visibility and professionalism of the crew. Not one water round on a 2+hr flight, no further rubbish collection, toilets dirty and missing tissues and towels. Considering the flight wasn't even a quarter full, this is unacceptable. Told to 'put rubbish in the seat pocket' as crew were 'busy' securing the cabin. This again I accept, but perhaps had they shown some cabin presence during the previous hour. During the flight a female FA sprawled across the last row of seats in full uniform, watching movies. Advised the Cabin Manager, politely, on disembarking of the poor service. She looked surprised and frankly was ineffectual.

We have just completed a round the world trip flying premium economy and what a pleasant surprise it was. We must make special mention of the leg from Los Angeles to Melbourne which was on a 777 aircraft, for being the best flight I have experienced. Would certainly recommend Virgin Premium economy.

Very pleasantly surprised at the service, layout and comfort on this service form Sydney-Abu Dhabi return. Great crew and meals very tasty with great presentation. Liked the woman's only toilets in Business class. Wouldn't hesitate to fly them again. Only downside was the inflight entertainment which I feel could be better.