VA30 AUH-SYD 27 SEP 11 (BUSINESS)
Posted: 04 Oct 2011, 03:18Thought I would do a quick TR for the above flight.
This trip (MEL-AUH-MAN-AUH-SYD-MEL) was bought from Etihad and the last 2 sectors were with VAustralia and Virgin Australia as part of their codeshare.
After a few hours in the Etihad lounge, including a nice head massage in the Spa, an assistant came round advising pax that the VA30 had commenced boarding. This was the only flight I had seen them do this for. We collected up our belongings and made our way down to the gate.
As we approached the gate it was clear most pax had already boarded and after a cursory glance into my hand luggage we were admitted into the gate lounge. Continued walking to the other end where BPs were scanned and the security door opened up for us, advisedto keep left and use the first airbridge to door L1.
We were welcomed at the door and directed to our seats. We were some of last J pax to board as the cabin was almost full. We found our seats (2J&K) stowed the hand luggage, removed shoes, looked through the IFE guide, went through the amenity kit, looked at each other and around the cabin.
Where was the offer of bubbles (or anything for that matter). After a suitable time, well over 5 mins, I suggested to the OH to attract a CC member over to fetch some(others had beens served and empties collected) 
. Order taken and another few minutes passed before bubbles were in hand. 
I noticed that one CC member was welcoming those in the AC and middle section but no one was looking after JK. Just as we finished the drink we were asked for the glasses as they needed to be stowed for take off.
Once the CC started the inflight service the CSM came round handing out the landing cards - a nice touch is that they bob down in front so their eyes are at the same level as the pax. I politely pointed out that we had to ask for a pre take off drink and that no one had explained the menu, service and seat operation as I had observed happening to others and as I explained we had received on our two previous flights with them. I said I was not making a fuss but merely pointing out the inconsistency in the service - which she thanked me for. She apologised and ensured us that the CC would look after us for the rest of the flight.
To be fair the CC allocated to our aisle must have been doing welcome duties at L2 as he did not start looking after us until after take off. Still no excuse as there were some 3 other crew members walking around the J cabin prior to take off.
Drinks and warm nuts were offered and then dinner orders taken. Again the food was very good and I didn't get the menu this time as the pre-order breakfast cards had not been loaded so they were using the menus to record the breakfast orders. I had some soup, salmon pate, a rather nice steak in butter with the matching wines.
After dinner I decided to try and get some sleep. The flight leaves AUH at 1055am and arrives in Sydney at 0605am the next day. The bed is very comfortable although the scourge of the too hot cabin was ever present - there was a significant number of 'those who feel the cold' in the cabin which might have had something to do with it. To clarify lest any offence is taken - aged persons. Due to the flight timings and it being daylight outside I was not too successful getting much sleep initially and then when it was dark I was wide awake. Speaking to the CSM in the morning when she came to ask if everything had been OK - to which I reassured her that they had- she said that most pax are awake for this sector.
I changed my mind re my breakfast order during the night and informed the CC - who said no problem and what I ordered I got. Only downside for me was that I didn't particularly care for the 'beef' bacon - so I didn't eat it all.
To be fair to VAustralia apart from the non welcome drink the service was excellent - referred to by name all flight, always being asked if needed anything and when I did it was brought promptly. If we had not flown with them before this would not have been an issue.
Overall a good flight, yet again didn't use the bar, and we even managed to get through Sydney customs before they went on strike.
As an aside, and no issue of VAustralia/Virgin Australia, Etihad booked us economy not Premium on the connection to MEL (no where during the booking process, on their website or on the itinerary did it state this) - complaint email has been dispatched. It was lucky that I had just had my QF Gold Status matched by Virgin Australia and we were able to the Lounge.
