Virgin Australia

SYD-PER return A330-200. Excellent service all round especially the cabin crew out of SYD the food offered was very acceptable for the 4/5 hour flight drinks were offered before during and after meal service. IFE very good arrived on time going out and ahead of time on return. The service on both flights was exceptional certainly better than our last business class trip with an overseas carrier.

20 December 2014 DRW-SYD. I found travelling Virgin slightly confusing - it was sort of trying to be a full- service airline but sort of not. For example because I was travelling on the flexi-fare I was given a bread roll which the person next to me had to buy - not sure the bread roll was worth an extra $700. Available refreshments were basic - would have thought that for a 4 hour flight something more substantial would have been available. For IFE you needed your own tablet just as well I had a good book. Plane was on time was full (as expected) but no delays with luggage in Sydney. In flight service was friendly and quick. In exit row a bit tight on the shoulders even though the gent next to me was not that large but the seat was comfortable enough. Overall a slightly underwhelming experience probably not quite enough to tempt me to leave Qantas but a reasonable alternative if no Qantas flight is available.

Sydney check in and bag drop was very good - no waiting at all. Gate waiting area was spotless however all of the complimentary newspapers appeared long gone. Seat onboard 737-800 was pretty good by the window with several inches legroom in front although the seat was still a bit too narrow. Virgins inflight entertainment app was not available for the flight so I was left to read the inflight magazine which was already worn out despite it only been used for 9 days. Cabin overall needed some cleaning - there were crumbs on my seat from previous flights that could have easily been removed prior to mine and there was a faint smell of vomit hanging in the air throughout the flight. One of the air con vents was missing. Cabin crew was friendly enough but definitely not as well- presented or delivered as an international flight. Complimentary snack was questionable being a tiny capsicum and cheese sandwich which looked to have been made with only 1 slice of bread. Was pleased that the flight arrived in Melbourne ahead of time but waiting for my checked in luggage was almost half the actual flight time.

14-12/2014. Melbourne check in and bag drop was very good - no waiting at all. Seat onboard 737-800 was only just enough in terms of space. Virgins inflight entertainment app was available but the signal was either very weak or too busy because I was unable to connect with my iphone several times and eventually gave up. Cabin was filthy and there was extensive mould and spillage on the seat and particularly the metal joints and was likely made worse by the fact only 1 passenger requested the air conditioning be turned down which made the cabin warmer and more damp. Cabin crew was very gruff and seemed too large to pass down the aisle.

3 December VA830 SYD-MEL 6 December VA859 MEL-SYD. Boarding at Sydney absolutely chaotic. Was at the gate 10 minutes prior to scheduled boarding time and boarding had already commenced. Further boarding calls were not made with flight number or destination so had to go by the flight status board at the gate - which had a VA flight to Melb at 10am and a Delta flight to Adelaide at 10am needless to say the Delta flight was a glitch. Cabin crew warm and friendly. No issues in having water as well as juice/tea/coffee and a second complimentary snack. Both flights on time. Excellent legroom and recline - very comfortable though on SYD-MEL recline in my seat had a fault and would not stay put! Planes could be much cleaner.

Booked Perth to Geraldton paid for overpriced ticket. Plane was delayed. Finally boarded only to be told we needed to unboard. After another one hour wait in the terminal they found another plane. Reboarded for flight to depart almost 2 hours late. Having just had facial surgery I had made a point of pre selecting a window seat so that my face was not next to another passenger in case it was knocked or bumped. However Virgin had now completed a seat swap from row 2 window (without asking) and I now found myself in the aisle in the very back row. The staff could not have cared less leg room cramped can not comment on food as I didn't eat but assume it offered no saving graces. Virgin I gave you a try but I will be returning to Qantas for all further flights.

Recently traveled PER-SYD. The trip was pleasant enough however if VA are trying to be "Australia's favourite airline" by 2017 they need to try a little harder. The attendants were less than enthusiastic (this was the last flight of the day I suppose). Whilst they do a "pre-dinner drink" in Economy and a drink with the meal service Qantas has it all over them in the drinks department. When Virgin collect the trays from dinner they bring only the "garbage trolley" - and no other top up drinks Qantas brings drinks with the "collection" trolley and that keeps the natives quiet. We saw no crew wandering the aisles after lights out. All in all average. We expected this from Virgin Blue but things should be different for the "new improved" Virgin Australia.

KTA-PER - was booked on a Virgin flight meant to be on a B737 however the sector was contracted at the last minute to Alliance Airlines. The aircraft used was old no hot meals or galley and no IFE. The aircraft interior felt like it was from the 1960's era.

Flew SYD-LST and LST-MEL on Virgin and both flights were absolutely fantastic. The LST-MEL was delayed an hour however the staff did an amazing job keeping us all informed on what was happening. The captain told us onboard that it was delayed due to a technical issue. Better to be safe than sorry. Service was very good on this flight. On the SYD-LST flight the cabin crew were excellent. Probably some of the best Virgin cabin crew I've experienced. Flight landed 15 mins early.

BNE-SYD. Mid afternoon flight. 737-800. Aisle seat. Check in was the best thing about the whole experience. The plane was at the gate late boarding therefore late to arrive. Tea was cold when served. Needed to board via Tarmac despite there being a very noisy prop jet getting reading for departure very close by. Cabin crew average. Virgin are a low cost carrier trying to be like Qantas but it isn't working. I'm a regular Qantas flyer and tried Virgin as it was a free flight. Wouldn't go with them again and look forward to returning to Qantas.