Virgin Australia is adding inflight Internet to all trans-Tasman flights as the airline steps up its fight against Qantas and Air New Zealand as the longtime foe and former beau launch their own alliance.
WiFi will be available on all Virgin flights between Australia and New Zealand from October 28, with all passengers receiving 15 minutes of free access, after which the meter will begin running at a rate of $7 for one hour or $13 for the entire flight.
Virgin Australia says that speeds will be sufficient for video streaming along with Web browsing, email and the obligatory social media updates.
A spokesperson for Virgin Australia confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that some Boeing 737 jets crossing the pond already have WiFi fitted, with more to follow in the lead-up to the official October 28 launch date.
However, the 'first 15 minutes free' deal won't be activated until October 28 – so for now, if you walk onto a Virgin Australia Boeing 737 flying to or from New Zealand and it happens to sport that tell-tale WiFi hump, you'll need to pay at least $7 to get online.
Also read: Your WiFi options for domestic Qantas, Virgin Australia flights
Velocity Points earned on dollars, not distance
Virgin is also bringing its Velocity Frequent Flyer scheme into the fray and will shift to a spend-based earning model for New Zealand flights, with the number of Velocity points earned based on how much travellers pay for their ticket rather than how many kilometres they fly.
From October 28, trans-Tasman travellers will earn a minimum of five Velocity Points per Australian dollar, with the points bonus for Velocity Platinum, Gold and Silver members boosting this as high as ten points per dollar.
There’ll also be an uplift in the number of status credits earned on flights to and from New Zealand, depending on which type of ticket you buy.
Business class fares will be split into Business Saver and Business categories, with the former earning the same 60 status credits as under the current fare structure for a Sydney-Auckland flight but the later raking in 90 status credits.
On the same route, today's full-priced flexible economy fare goes from 30 status credits to 45 status credits.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
23 Jun 2011
Total posts 89
Bonus!
I'm about to hop on VA104 WLG-SYD, via BNE - as its the only way to get J to Sydney, with the current VA/NZ JV.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2559
Virgin says it'll start earlier than Oct28 but I'm not sure it will be that early :P
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Jan 2012
Total posts 270
The wifi installed on VA 737's now works TT. Perhaps they mean that ALL 737's going TT will have wifi by October 28?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2559
Yes, that's what the article says – all trans-Tasman Boeing 737s will have WiFi by Oct 28. We've checked back with Virgin and indeed some of those jets already have WiFi but there is currently to 'first 15 minutes free' option.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Jan 2012
Total posts 270
Sorry I missed the bit about paying. Having it for free is a great inclusion.
23 Jun 2011
Total posts 89
There’s no first 15 mins free on trans Tasman atm :-/
23 Jun 2011
Total posts 89
I can vouch that VA104 to BNE (right now) has WiFi. It’s pay-for, but apparently from end of month it’s free for J PAX 😬
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2559
That's good to know – how's the speed?
23 Jun 2011
Total posts 89
LOL.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2559
"1Mbps down, 24mbps up" – please tell me those numbers are the wrong way around and you meant 24Mbps down and 1Mbps up, otherwise this service is not going to be much chop and certainly not for streaming.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
03 May 2018
Total posts 4
As it should be... also for Platinums too...
23 Oct 2014
Total posts 225
Excellent move Virgin, they have just announced changes to Tasman product. Included in all fares
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 356
Well 15 minutes worth, anyway.
01 Jun 2018
Total posts 4
A large number of people here were very quick to write off VA after split with NZ. Well done VA for taking the fight to NZ/QF. I on the other hand have always believed NZ has the most to lose in their new code share arrangement.
08 Mar 2013
Total posts 28
Well done VA. Be interesting to see what NZ replies with. Great for us customers.
01 Sep 2017
Total posts 4
Hmmmmm. Having the best offer/experience is usually the most costly. Can they actually afford all this?
01 Jun 2018
Total posts 3
This is great, but what lounge access will Gold/Platinum have flying trans-tasman post Air NZ breakup? Have any details been released?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Aug 2017
Total posts 71
From the email which all Velocity members received today: "We are committed to providing you with the best travel experience possible and an announcement will be made regarding the Lounge offering for Trans-Tasman routes in the coming months."
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
03 May 2018
Total posts 4
If only there was a decent J product in the 737’s...
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1086
It's a 3 hour flight. Direct aisle access and lay flat beds are not really a necessity.
QF
21 Jul 2016
Total posts 37
Are there VA lounges in NZ?
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
21 Jan 2016
Total posts 201
No. VA has been using NZ lounges. It will be interesting to see who they will use especially in Wellington where there is only QF international (located airside) and NZ international (located airside) regional and domestic Koru lounges.
04 Jun 2018
Total posts 27
Hi David, please pardon my ignorance, but are the prices in AU$ or NZ$? Cheers
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2559
AUD, as we are aimed at Aussie audience.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
21 Jan 2016
Total posts 201
What about your NZ readers?
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1086
I assume the prices VA charge for their in-flight services are all denominated in AUD so NZ readers will need to convert it in their head to get an idea of what sort of value will appear on their credit card. It's about AUD * 1.1 so it's not too hard.
20 Feb 2018
Total posts 5
A great review, bur what's the bottom line?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2559
This isn't a review, just a straight news story, so no 'bottom line' per se.
23 Jun 2011
Total posts 89
Hey David, Have you heard rumours yet about whats happening with lounge access in Aus/NZ for VA, effective less than 2 weeks? Mike
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2583
Hi Mike, David is travelling, but we don't report rumours. When Virgin Australia confirms this officially, we'll report it (and it wouldn't surprise me if this becomes known on the day the change takes place, because VA doesn't like to say what its doing before it does it).
23 Jun 2011
Total posts 89
Hi Chris, Gotcha, Thanks! :-p
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