A Virgin Australia Boeing 777-300ER. Photo / Tian Lawson
Tina Trenkner-Meade flies Virgin Australia VA7 from Brisbane to Los Angeles.
The plane: A Virgin Australia Boeing 777-300.
Class: Economy.
Price: My return ticket was $1325 (from Auckland to Los Angeles via Brisbane).
On time? We were 20 minutes late departing for a 12hr 40m flight.
My seat: 46K, so I could lean against the window and sleep. Recline was fine, not unreasonable but not luxurious.
Fellow passengers: Backpackers, families, single young professionals - a wide array. I sat next to an American university student who had spent her northern summer break working and studying in Brisbane. Turns out we both had connections to the Washington, DC area - I moved to Auckland from DC last year, her family lives there.
How full? My travel agent told me days earlier there were still seats available. My American row mate and I bonded over the fact we had the middle seat empty. Some others in Economy looked to have the same lucky fortune as well. Premium Economy seemed well occupied, if not full. First Class: I couldn't tell you as it's shameful to peek left when the attendants guide you to the right.
Food and drink: Fine. I had a nice braised beef dish, with some drinkable red wine. In mid-flight, attendants offered a haloumi slider with relish - after one bite, I knew it wasn't for me. The brownie seemed rich and dense, but I didn't want to eat it then not be able to run the calories off. Breakfast was a take on corn fritters, a satisfying Antipodean brekkie before stepping on American soil.
Service: Accommodating and sweet. Attendants made frequent passes with water. The crew were happy to provide me a cup of hot water for self-brought tea when I approached the back galley. I have no doubt the crew would have provided anything else if I needed it.
Toilets: I saw a toilet seat cover on the loo when I entered the back bathroom before take-off. Was that supposed to be there?
Luggage: I could check two bags up to 23kg. I only took a duffle as I was quickly en route to family in New York City.
Airport experience: Very pleasant. Brisbane's international terminal is clean, bright and modern, with lots of spaces to fire up a laptop, enjoy a coffee or just lap up the natural light coming in. Also, it felt much quieter and calmer than the circuses I've been accustomed to at American airports.
Would I fly this again? If the price is right, yes.
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