Trip Report : Melbourne - Sydney on Virgin Blue Airlines
Flight Report:
Airlines: Virgin Blue
Flight : DJ849 MEL-SYD
Reg : VH-VUA 'Bondi Babe
Aircraft: Boeing 737-8FE
Dep - Mel: 14:15 pm
Arr -Syd :15:40 pm
Flight time : 1 hours, 25 minutes
Distance : 873 km.
Trip Report: Virgin Blue Airlines DG849 Melbourne to Sydney
Introduction
This trip report from a flight in July 2007. After arriving from Singapore, read trip report here: Singapore Airlines SQ237 SIN - MEL.
I was travelling to Sydney. Since I wasn't able to get a seat on Sydney bound flight, I flew to Melbourne. The choice of airlines were Qantas, jetstar Airways or Virgin Blue Airlines.
Virgin Blue Airlines was formed as a Low Cost Carrier year before collapse of Ansett Airlines. Virgin Australia was a trading name of another business in Melbourne.
Booking
Being one of the busiest air-routes in the world, I knew getting a flight wasn't going to be difficult, Decision was save time or money.
I had ruled out Qantas / Jetstar as the fares quoted were too high in $300~450. I checked with Virgin Blue counter. Early departure flights were very expensive,
I was quoted single ticket price of $250 for a 2 p.m departure. I could have waited for cheaper flight in the evening but being sick and tired, the thought of dragging the luggage around. I decided to go ahead and book the flight.
I accepted the price and got my booking confirmation. As I had a check-in bag, had to pay extra for luggage.
Check-in counters
I dropped my luggage at check-in counter for the flight. Queue wasn't long at the check-in as DJ catered to leisure travellers.
Virgin Self Service Check-in kiosk
Being mid-day, not many passengers flying domestically with check-in bags.
Most were carrying carry-on's and checked in through self-service kiosk.
International departure
Breakfast
After sorting the ticket, I still had about 3 hrs before flight I went to McD for meal. While having breakfast, had view of the air-side action.
Qantas A330-300
Malaysia Airlines B777 with Visit Malaysia 2007 sticker
With time to spare after meal, did some plane-spotting.
Virgin Blue pushback
Qantas B747-300 pushback
VH-EBY was named 'City of Darwin'. QF B747-300 was flying domestic to Perth.
International Terminal
Virgin Blue Terminal
At gate
Security
Soon it was time for boarding. After passing security. entered the waiting area
Virgin Blue Airlines
VH-VUA "'Bondi Babe" was operating DJ849 to SYD . This was going to be my 1st flight on Virgin Blue.
Boarding
Boarding was called shortly after entering the waiting area. Boarding pass was scanned and allowed to proceed to board. Boarding was through aerobridge.
Seating
Virgin Blue had 3-3 seating in the Economy class. I was seated in the window seat, which I requested while booking seat.
On Board
Flight was partially full. I had a seatmate and we stuck a conversation.
Push-back
Push-back commenced after boarding of all passengers.
Taxi and take off
After a short taxi, lined on the main runway and headed north towards Sydney. Flew over the Snowy mountains and being winter, witnessed snow-capped mountains.
Cabin crew
Crew carried out manual safety demonstrations. Virgin promoted itself as a young and happening airline in those days. The crew was friendly but I didn't have any interaction apart from showing my boarding pass.
Buy on Board
After attaining cruise level, buy on board [BOB] commenced. As I had meal earlier skipped the BOB.
Inflight
While discussing the going on in Australia with my seatmate, our conversation turned to the mining boom and how long the boom. I remember the hearing that the boom was going to last for another 20 yrs with export of iron ore being the top commodity. In 2008, during the GFC , the company we had discussed about was close to bankruptcy.
Time passed quickly,
Window view
Landing
Flight deck came on the microphone to report we are close to Sydney. Cabin crew conducted rubbish collection and checks.
Window view
Landing was from the north to arrive on runway 16R. Docked at the Virgin Terminal gate.
Disembarkation
After arriving at the gate, disembarkation was through aerobridge in the front or stairs in the rear. I disembarked through the stairs.
Baggage collection
After entering the terminal, headed towards the exit. Baggage came in 10 mins.
Exiting the terminal
After collecting bag, I exited the terminal and queued for taxi home.
Hope you enjoyed the trip. Thanks for reading.
End of report
:)
