Virgin Australia

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.

Flew Brisbane to LA 8/10/14. The food was inedible. The cabin crew were okay. The flight back from LA was much better. The food was edible and the cabin crew were professional and helpful. I'd definitely fly Virgin again if the price was right on the proviso that the flight back was better than our flight out this time. If it's as second rate I'd rethink.

SYD-PER return. I bid $400 for an upgrade in each direction and got both - obviously I paid a bit much - but considering the flights were retailing for $2399 one way I still felt I was getting a bit of a bargain. Sydney airport premium entry is excellent - pull up at the kerb and walk straight into premium check in and premium security screening - so easy and then straight to the lounge. The A330 cabin is a very pleasant comfortable place to spend 4 hours - the seat recline is excellent and would be fine for sleeping although I didn't actually sleep on this short hop. Champagne (Ayala) /beverage selection was excellent and the food was pretty good - I got my first choice each time - the starters were a bit lacklustre (some sort of tuna on chickpeas - virtually tasteless) but the mains were pretty good (lamb cutlets - slightly overcooked but delicious). Service was attentive and friendly - just spot on - these guys definitely know what they're doing and no request was too much. I only just started flying virgin recently and as you can see I've been very impressed - they represent a worthy and competitive alternative to Qantas in every aspect of the experience and I have no hesitation strongly recommending them.

In a word appalling. LAX to SYD - we turned back after three hours because the toilets were overflowing into the cabin. Whilst walking around the cabin (in my socks) I inadvertently walked through the 'wet patch' as there was no warning notice or cover put down on the cabin floor. On return to LAX complete chaos as only two ground staff attempted to deal with 300 passengers who needed hotel rooms advice etc - it took hours. The next day was a triumph of disorganization as Virgin Australia staff gave us either misinformation disinformation no information or downright lies about our ongoing flight situation. When we turned back we were informed that it was "for the safety and security go passengers" - later it was announced that it was for "the comfort of the passengers and at no time was the safety of the passengers compromised". We missed an important day at an expensive conference because of this. I understand that maintenance issues arise from time to time - my complaint is with the VA staff and the way the situation was handled. As for compensation: a robotic "Guest Relations Co-ordinator" offered us Velocity points that added insult to injury. I should have listened to more experienced fliers and used Qantas.

Flew Business Class from Sydney to LAX and had a very good flight. The FA's in business were very good and I found the seats and bed comfortable. Food was fine but the entertainment system was poor. Will be much better next year with the new seats. Overall probably as good as Qantas minus the A380.

I returned to Brisbane Australia from America on Virgin Australia VA8 on 7th November 2014 travelling with 2 other friends. We arrived at the airport 4 hours before the flight and immediately booked in together. We did not check our tickets until we had been through customs presuming we would all be seated together. We realised that none of us were seated together and I was seated in another zone. All I could do was let the flight attendant know at the boarding station. She said to let the flight attendant in my section know. I informed her and she basically said the plane was full and there was really nothing she could do. Later she came up and asked where my friends were and I told her and she basically said the plane was full and that was that. To top it off I asked for a vodka and orange and she gave me a very strong tasting drink. She later came and informed me that she had given me gin by mistake and replaced the drink. I was unwell for most of the trip. Not sure whether it was the drink or the food but I felt very uncomfortable for the remainder of the journey.

Sydney - Perth. A330 morning service. Near new aircraft. Business class via "Click to bid" upgrade. Cabin half full and able to move seats. Service faultless and friendly. Nothing too much trouble. Was hoping for the lunch service - but we got breakfast which I thought was quite late in the morning for - close to 11am. Only disappointment was the entertainment system. Although the screen is larger than economy the range and choices was very limited. I think the Qantas economy entertainment is much better.

Flew Virgin Australia AKL-MEL-AKL after a hiatus of about four or five years following some bad experiences with them. What I can say is that the flight was perfectly fine for a low cost airline although VA now position themselves at similar costs to full service airlines. The good - the crew on both flights (NZ based crew) were lovely and came through the cabin regularly to offer water. Complimentary tea and coffee was a nicer touch than what they used to offer (nothing for free). Straight to a check in counter at AKL this morning and the lady there was lovely. Both flights left on time and the flight crew gave us clear and helpful updates. Exit row seat purchased at a very reasonable price so happy to have the legroom. The bad - huge queue to check in at MEL due to 3 flights departing at similar times. I was travelling with cabin baggage only but since there was no online check in I was in a queue for close to an hour. I booked the light fare and thought I would like to add baggage. Couldn't be done unless I paid $120 at the airport or booked an entirely new flight. With a 7kg allowance I was fine for a quick trip but the laptop and other things I would have liked to take stayed at home. Some flexibility is desirable. They didn't have the gate number on any of the screens at AKL on departure despite the flight boarding. Advised the ground crew and he didn't care much for my advice. The inflight menu is poor quite frankly. I always eat on planes and am not afraid to hit the user pays menu. I took my own lunch from the airport on the way back to AKL. Just not appealing. All in all I got a cheap flight but for someone marketing themselves as being above a budget airline VA won't be getting me onboard again soon.

My wife and I travelled on the direct flight from Phuket to Perth on 29 October with Virgin flight VA192 and we have travelled with Virgin before and had no problems. We arrived at the airport 3 hours before departure and were waiting in the departure lounge when we found out that the flight had been delayed because of weather in Perth. Apparently the Captain had decided that there may be a chance of fog and that waiting two hours was the better option. We ended up boarding about 1am in the morning onto a 737-800. It had a little pretend business class up the front which I think had about seating for 12. The business class seats looked very poor for business but my seat of torture was further down the aisle. A wing exit seat no entertainment no recline on the seat and how skinny can they make a seat? We were extremely lucky to have the pleasure of the stewardess tell us of our responsibilities of sitting in an exit seat and yes I know this is a requirement of sitting here but the attitude of the stewardess was appalling. Not friendly and helpful but bossy bordering on rude she appeared to enjoy listening to herself assert her authority. Once we took off it was the usual farce of roping off the business class section and restricting the rest of the entire passenger list to 2 toilets at the rear of the plane. As we approached Perth the flight attendants came down the aisle with the rubbish bags and proceeded to tell everyone to clean up any rubbish under our seat and any from the back of the seats. The complete disregard for customer comfort connecting flights and delays was breathtaking. It goes without saying (like many other passengers) I will never fly with this dreadful airline again.

Flew fully flex economy fare that was very poor value for money. Aircraft SYD-BNE very tired old Virgin Blue coloured 737 toilets filthy bins overflowing. Flight left 25 min late despite boarding on time! 2 passengers arrived 10 min after departure. A lot of flight crew for other VA flights onboard. Flight late to leave and late to destination. Stairs used to unload instead of aerobridge. Entertainment non-existent unless to wi-fi. Snack that came with fare made QF's legendary stinginess look actually good. Drinks limited despite what was in the menu not cold. Cabin crew more interested in appearance and seemed bothered by passengers actually asking for things often ignored call attendant buttons. My second leg just as forgettable if not worse. IMO VA still very much a no frills airline albeit more pricy than before that has flashy advertising. I wil l be certainly avoiding them in the future for cheaper options where I get what I pay for!