There are eight business class recline seats;the 30 standard seats designated Economy X (extra legroom) and 138 for the rest of economy,are in a three-three layout.
The cabin on board a Virgin Australia Boeing 737.
I’m in 23D down the back,but I choose it online strategically,hoping for empty spots in my row – aircraft economy is not generally designed with tall Polynesian people in mind. The leather covered seats have a 17-inch (43.18-centimetre) width and 31-inch (76.2-centimetre) pitch. Fortunately,our aircraft isn’t full. 23E is empty and the large man in 23F can comfortably raise his armrest and spread out into the unoccupied space. I find Virgin’s seats comfortable – and I always carry a shawl for a snooze and some personal cosiness so manage some shuteye as we take off at that ungodly hour.
Entertainment + tech
Virgin offers movies,TV shows and podcasts streamed to your device via its entertainment app. On this flight,there is also Wi-Fi,30 minutes for about $10 or $24.95 for the entire flight (free for business class). I work for most of the flight,using the $24.95 option and it’s great for my needs. There are no dropouts or slow patches while I check and send emails and Google various things.
Service
This cheerful,friendly crew start things off by reorganising some seating to give passengers the room they need.
Food
It’s a pay-per-munch situation – and I have munched on VA’s comfort-food toastie,its bestseller cheese and crackers,banana bread and Pringles for a while now. I like the toastie,but how about more healthier options? Fruit,given Samoa grows a lot of it? Time to change things up. The coffee,predictably,is not worth me looking forward to – but it’s free,as is tea and water. Other drinks and food are at cost.
Carbon emissions
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The count is 277 kilograms of CO2 for one economy passenger. Virgin Australia committed to a target of net zero emissions by 2050 in November 2021 and continues to actively build a wider sustainability strategy.
One more thing
A situation develops not long after takeoff with a child who has a disability. For a minute I think we might need to be turned around. But the crew are compassionate and helpful to the family who have other kids to deal with as well. Everyone stays calm and the child calms down,too. Bravo to the crew.
The price
From about $420,economy one way*.
The verdict
Early departure and arrival,great crew,reasonable economy comfort – what more could you want? Well,maybe a fresh banana.
Our rating out of five
★★★★