VA have been my primary airline for domestic and US trips for the last 8 years. I’ve maintained at least silver status for 98% of the time (gold and platinum for 83% of the time) - only dropping to “red” for 2 months since June 2012.
Why always flying Virgin? There has been no reason to change. Great staff, good lounges, a fantastic domestic business class service (that I apparently have been spoilt with vs Qantas), great ability to upgrade using points and the 777 in-flight bar has had many great conversations over the years.
So many memorable flights with Virgin Australia (and VirginBlue and VAustralia):
- First time guested into lounge, circa 2010, by a colleague (think this was when the Melbourne lounge had Foxtel on the screens?).
- Flying our first non-economy flight in 2012 with VAustralia to Abu Dhabi in Premium Economy (and onwards to Dublin where I got engaged to my amazing wife).
- Flights to Bali via the “free” business class flights bug for bookings from HBA-DPS which were honoured!
- Managing to snag myself and a mate an upgrade to business for a boys trip to Las Vegas (and a operational upgrade at that - for both of us!).
- Flying to the US and managing to sell my business to a US based company.
- Our little mans first (and many now) flights. He’s never been on another airline (well, excluding partner airline flights with Etihad and Delta).
My last flight with Virgin Australia was BNE-MEL on 15/1/20, where I managed to snag an upgrade to the pointy end on points (the flight was cancelled, so last flight was 16/1/20).
Let’s hope that out of the ashes of the voluntary administration, that an even better airline can emerge that can keep Qantas on it’s toes. Good luck to all staff at Virgin Australia.
Finishing up with an assortment of photos from the years flying VA.
