Qantas' Pain = Virgin's Gain!

I've been a Qantas Platinum Frequent Flyer for about 15 years and pre-covid would average 40-50 flights a year with them. At the end of September this year my membership year rolls over so by then I need to earn enough Status Credits by flying Qantas to ensure I retain Platinum. Every year retaining Platinum was always my first priority when working out what flights to book.

However, this year, for the first time ever, I have no real motivation or desire to even try to requalify for Platinum status.

Sadly I know I’m not the only one feeling this way and it shows the huge underlying problem Qantas is facing as it’s once loyal customers turn their back on what was a great airline.

But what’s the alternative? Can Virgin Australia really compete? Is Qanta’s Pain really Virgin’s Gain? Is it time to swap sides?

Watch this video and let’s find out. On a recent regular trip from Adelaide to Sydney I flew Virgin Australia to see how they compare. In doing so I know I made reattaining Qantas Platinum even harder for myself. But I did save $300 on the return trip so the decision was a no brainer.

This Virgin Australia flight review covers my Boeing 737 flight from Sydney to Adelaide in economy class. It’s a standard business route flown by both business and leisure travellers day in day out. It competes directly with Qantas flying the same aircraft type so the perfect opportunity to see how they compare.

Thanks for taking the time to watch this video. If you liked it please subscribe and check out my channel where my back catalogue includes flights all over the world in economy through to first class suites. There’s a lot more on the way too.

Happy travels

Dennis

#Qantas #Virgin #flightreview

[mackay]

Qantas has been destroyed by its own greedy hands. Great and helpful staff who unfortunately will be feeling the backlash of disappointed Qantas customers. Virgin has been a better option for myself for years.
I'm glad you posted this video as an unbiased comparison of the two airlines. Cheers for the great and always informative videos.

[DennisBunnikTravels]

Sorry the original video uploaded an hour ago had some technical issues with the audio. So this a reupload. Subscribers with the Notification Bell turned on will think they're seeing double :) sorry.

[PaulStewartAviation]

Beautiful views of the Illawarra! Often considered as Australia’s most beautiful region according to my mate Geoff. And I agree with you. I’m also a big QF fanboy but the lack of competition had enabled QF HQ to stop caring. VA are great but the lack of wide bodies, international routes and alliance membership holds them back too. I’d also worry about their ownership being Bain… I share your pessimism about QF’s future and mirroring of BA… 😢

[foodandtravel]

Definitely agree that Virgin is a much better alternative! Reliable and friendly crew with great services!

[psychmike]

Nice one Dennis.
I don't fly Qantas often, but when I do, I'm reminded why I prefer Virgin. Virgin have always been great; friendly and engaging staff and don't seem to take the punter for granted as much as how I'm left feeling after a Qantas experience.
Its the same on international flights. Qantas really need to step up their game if they want to prevent a BA repeat as you fear.

[wolvwwc]

I just flew from Melbourne to London, stopping midway to Singapore to refuel. I bought first class tickets on qantas for the way back and business class tickets for the way there. Total $16, 500. On the way back in FIrst class. Singapore to Sydney the First class seat broke. It wouldn't recline nor move. My compensation from Qantas. 10, 000 Qantas points... I can't even fly Melbourne to Sydney on those points. Huge let down.

[jamesbracy]

Hi Dennis - great review. One small input, Ansett actually redeveloped that whole terminal about a year before they closed so one can probably credit them for this - they invested heavily in much of what you see today, although I must say the addition of shops and restaurants since has been credit to Sydney Airport.

[stephenwolstenholme]

Dennis been watching and enjoying your videos for many years now and never felt the need to make a comment. I am a Qantas Platinum One and have been for more than 5 years now and for the last few years have been saying exactly what you have said in this video about Qantas and how they treat their high end Frequent Flyers and all their customers in general, they just simply don’t care. There is honestly no difference in the level of recognition to a Gold Qantas FF verse a Platinum One Qantas FF. I made the choice a year ago to move over to Virgin and loving the change. I will now probably end up as a Platinum FF with both airlines simply only because Virgin don’t offer the international flights I need, but will always use them on domestic routes over Qantas. It’s a sad time as I’ve been a loyal supporter and FF with Qantas for over 40 years, and only those of us that have flown that long really can see and understand how things have changed for the worse, and it still leaves me with a heavy heart that the current leadership of Qantas has turned this once great airline with fabulous staff and employees into what it is today.

[benbowles]

Been flying VA for some years now. My last experience with Qantas left me very underwhelmed.
I do hope Qantas can turn around, but Jetstar seem to be the albatross around their neck.
Good video, mate.

[johanvdmerwe]

What a lovely way to start the week - a Dennis Bunnik video! So glad you are back again, I hope all is well!

[MrButtonpresser]

We swapped to Virgin 2 years ago. We got thoroughly sick of Qantas and its appalling telephone service. We're now very happy Virgin Gold FFs and have had some great business class flights with them.

[YohanMEL]

Yesss! I’m so glad you finally tried us Denis! I’m a big admirer! Our Virgin crew are a friendly bunch! Inflight internet has been installed on many of our aircraft and it will continue to grow. I hope to serve you onboard one of my flights some day! I’ll keep an eye out for you, and I’ll definitely look after you!

[janneboot]

I am in the process of using up all my Qantas FF points after last three shocking flights on Qantas. After using the points I will look at other airlines other than Qantas. Excellent review Dennis.

[paulkeay]

Flew Virgin Australia a few weeks ago from MEL to SYD in Business. We picked Business mainly because of the amount of Luggage we had (Flying J to and from the UK for our holiday we had lots of bags). Great short flight, great lounge and significantly cheaper than Qantas

[torin_]

I am a Virgin frequent flyer and I love the airline to bits so it’s great to see you give them a go. You were probably better off in the terminal as the lounge in Sydney leaves a lot to be desired. You certainly got the best views where you were!

[GlasgowCelticBhoy]

I hear you Dennis. I'll still make Lifetime Gold with Qantas through my FIFO work. But for personal flights going forward, I think it's time to fly Virgin. Heck, I'll even give Bonza a try!

[GregThornton-vmmx]

Usual brilliant review Dennis. I have been a loyal VA fan for a long time now. The experience you've described flying with Virgin is not new & they have always been a fantastic airline in my opinion. Looking forward to seeing you in the VA Lounge once you've collected enough points!

[scdingundaroo]

Since COVID I'm travelling about once per month. Mostly for work, Perth -> Sydney and Perth -> Wellington. So I'm not some big air traveller, but I'm doing enough of it to have some preferences. And my preference within Australia is definitely Virgin. Overall, its just a more "cheerful" experience. Staff don't seem to be as stressed, overall the flights are close to being on time, its less crowded.

And I have scored some cheap business class upgrades through their upgrade "auction". Last flight I got a Sydney to Perth business class upgrade for $250.

My advice if you have regular travel with Virgin ... always bid for an upgrade at the lowest possible price. Sure you miss out a _lot_ of the time but when you do score an upgrade for $250 or $300, its a nice bonus!

[Kiwi]

Hi Dennis. I got VA to match my QF platnium status by emailing them. I was outside the recent match promo dates

[ryansofly]

I mentioned on your insta I was thinking of jumping because QF just does not cut it anymore. I'm fl JQ a lot and max my fare. Of late, I'm constantly chasing after them to credit my QFF and I'm still chasing after flights from last year! I'm gold now with VA and I didn't even have to try that hard. Just wish their international reach was a lot bigger! That's what's holding me back.