Saturday, August 24, 2024 When it comes to flying regionally within Australia, Qantas and Virgin Australia are the top choices. I recently flew with both to compare their offerings in comfort, convenience, and overall experience. Seating: Qantas provides a distinct advantage for Frequent Flyers, allowing them to secure front-row seats, which speed up disembarkation.
On my flight with Virgin Australia, seat selection without paying extra left me in row 27, which meant being among the last to leave the aircraft—a significant time delay. Seat Comfort: The seats on QantasLink are upholstered in a leather-like material, providing a more premium feel compared to Virgin Australia’s fabric seats, which felt somewhat rough. However, Virgin’s Boeing 737 aircraft feature seats more comparable to Qantas in terms of comfort.
Both airlines offer limited legroom, with a 30-inch seat pitch and minimal recline. In-Flight Experience: Neither airline offers blankets or pillows on regional routes unless specifically requested, but the cabin temperatures were comfortable on both flights. In terms of in-flight entertainment, options vary by aircraft.
My Qantas A319 flight had no in-flight entertainment (IFE) or streaming services, while the Virgin A320 had IFE that unfortunately wasn’t working. On major city routes, Qantas typically provides seat-back screens or streaming options, but it’s advisable to bring your own entertainment just in case. Meals and Beverages: Both airlines provide complimentary water, but Qantas offers a broader selection of beverages, including tea, coffee, soft drinks, and juices.
Occasionally, Qantas also provides complimentary alcoholic beverages. Virgin Australia’s free offerings are limited to tea and coffee, but their buy-on-board menu provides more variety, although popular items may run out quickly. During my flight, I had a bacon and egg focaccia on Qantas, which, while filling, may not suit everyone’s taste.
Conclusion: Choosing between Qantas and Virgin Australia largely depends on personal priorities. Qantas stands out for its complimentary services and free seat selection 24 hours before departure, which is particularly advantageous for Frequent Flyers. Virgin Australia, on the other hand, offers a robust buy-on-board menu that caters to those looking for more food choices.
On regional routes, the absence of consistent in-flight entertainment means you should be prepared with your own devices. Both airlines provide reliable and safe flying experiences, so your decision should be based on what aspects of the flight matter most to you..
