V-Flyer

After 10 days having the most fun possible in and around Sydney, we checked out of the apartment which had been a home from home for us, heading for Uluru / Ayers Rock. We opted for an airport shuttle out to the Domestic terminal. It was the same price as the train and no need to carry the bags other than across the pavement.

Though I’d had my usual anxieties about leaving enough time to get to the airport, traffic was fine and the journey was swift leaving us apparently plenty of time – until we say that the queues for the Virgin Australia desks stretched three quarters of the way down the terminal. And it was two queues – one for check in and one for bag drop – both of the same length. (memories of queuing to get into Mrs Macquarie's Chair on NYE…) . Announcements were made apologising for the delays “due to being busy”. Err, presumably you knew and could have put more check in staff on?

OLCI had been done the evening before, where the booking showed and Embraer and the seat map a 737. There you see, there is at least consistency in the Virgin IT offering.

Anyhow, it turned out to be 737, equipped with leather seats in a 3 by 3 configuration. No seatback IFE, but they offer a wireless service for which you need to download an app to your iPad / iPhone / Android Device or use MS Silverlight on your laptop. Unfortunately I couldn’t get the app installed in time at the gate.

To be honest there’s very little to report about the flight apart from the service and the view.

In terms of the service, Virgin Australia operate a price differentiated cabin offering a bit like VX if I recall correctly. As we had flexible tickets going out, we were offered a budgie seed bar and a spicy chicken salad in addition to the free tea / coffee / water. Have to say the salad wasn’t too shabby.

Now the views. Once out of the immediate environs of Sydney, it’s basically just 3 hours of red nothing. Quite astonishing and made you feel the size of the country.







So into the airport, to be picked up and taken to the resort…in 44 degree heat.

Wow. That's well red.



See what I did there?

Once again, thank you Paul.

I also used VA a couple of times and my Etihad Gold card paid off as it meant, because of the EY/VA relationship, that I could use the priority check-ins and also use their lounges.

The lounges were similar to the Qantas Club ones, perfectly functional, OK food (mainly cold buffet) and booze. In one I had the company of what I thought was the Australian Women's Netball team but, in fact, turned out to be a group from the Women's Ashes squad heading to the Waca for the Test.

Ah yes, the entertainment app. I didn't know about it until my first flight when it was mentioned. Unfortunately it has to be downloaded before boarding. I religiously did this before my second flight...only to sleep throughout that (too much lounge fizz.....Lindauer, a sparkly from New Zealand and very drinkable too.)

Another great TR - I must work out how to include photos as they really add to the report.

I was surprised that VA failed to check our ID on any of the internal flights we took? We too had the cheap no frills seats as the longest flight was only 2 hours but didn't feel we had missed out on anything.

Super photos , thank you.