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First Person Flight Review: Virgin Blue, Perth to Melbourne

July 28, 2008 at 8:45 AM | 3 Comments

Jaunted's Amanda Kendle just got back from Melbourne. This week: Read all about it.

My virgin flight with Virgin Blue started well: For starters, the four-hour distance from Perth to Melbourne was really cheap at A$173 (US$165). They emailed me for online check-in so I didn't have to think about it myself, and they had plenty of amusing signs at the check-in counter and departure gate so I felt entertained. They even left on time.

In fact, my gripes are few. Leg room was definitely lacking on board, but I shouldn't complain because the price I paid didn't really allow for leg room. The entertainment system flashed in front of me the whole flight even though I didn't want it to, and after seeing the ads over and over they really started to get on my nerves. The advertising from Europcar that said we were flying on Vigin--too prudish to say Virgin?--was especially annoying, and the flight tracking map of Australia randomly got the spelling wrong on the body of water called the Great Australian Bight (half the time it said Bite).

Am I nit-picking? Yes--because there's very little to complain about. The head flight attendant made the required jokes during every announcement (many of which were actually funny), all the staff were cheerful and we arrived on time. Fix the typos and I'd fly with them again.

Related Stories:
· Virgin Blue [Official Site]
· Virgin Blue coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: scherre]

Where: Australia

: / / / /

Author Photo: amandak by amandak

3 Comments

Return to » First Person Flight Review: Virgin Blue, Perth to Melbourne

  1. suitcasegirl

    Jaunted Member
    July 28, 2008 at 10:57 AM




    In the air a while

    Haven't they been flying for a real long time?  I think I flew Virgin Blue in Australia about four or five years ago.  Hey, do a review of United next!

  1. beatofhawaii com

    Jaunted Member
    July 28, 2008 at 3:01 PM




    We fly Virgin Blue frequently

    I can't say we've ever had a problem with them in the past several yeras.  They have been on-time, friendly as you noted, and efficient in a way I don't remember seeing on any U.S. carrier.  We like them and choose them over the competition (usually between Sydney and Hobart or Launceston).

    Aloha, Jeff
    http://beatofhawaii.com

  1. amandak

    Jaunted Member
    July 29, 2008 at 5:18 AM




    Flying since 2000

    @suitcase girl, yep, Virgin Blue have been flying 8 years - but it I only moved to Australia last year so it was my own virgin Virgin flight! And I was pleasantly surprised. I can review United in 5 words: I won't fly them again :-)

    @beathofhawaii, glad you've had the same experience. I'd definitely choose them again over Jetstar (watch for a review later this week)

Return to » First Person Flight Review: Virgin Blue, Perth to Melbourne

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