THE BUSINESS OF FULL SERVICE

The purchase of long-haul flight tickets naturally calls for some deliberation. Apart from schedules and route planning that are essential considerations, everyone craves a modicum of personal recognition, comfort, reasonable leg-room, acceptable food and at least some uninterrupted sleep. Virgin Australia business class ticks all these boxes with a panache that leaves passengers delighted.

Once you step onboard there’s a reminder of the personalised service that airlines used to deliver fulsomely in decades past. Virgin Australia has cleverly breathed new life into this kind of service and married it with an extremely high touch of passenger recognition. You are welcomed onboard by one flight steward who looks after you, attentively but not intrusively, throughout the entire journey. She or he explains the intricacies of your own space, assesses your needs and works proactively to ensure your flight experience is a winner.

It’s usual to have your jacket or coat placed in a hanging space so that you look your best on arrival. For Virgin Australia that means placing your clothing in a personalized suit pack – a delightfully individual point of care. What’s more there is a. “ladies only” bathroom that is kept spotlessly clean throughout the long journey. This touch, Erika says, is a stroke of brilliance.

A focus on food and wine on a flight is natural because we all seek to capitalize on the pleasurable aspects of flying. Accordingly, the standard of Luke Mangan inspired food is restaurant quality and in quantities of your own choosing – so it’s three-course dining with Australian and Californian wines or you can snack your way to your destination. Virgin was the first airline to install mood-lit bars in its fleet for business class travellers. Their relaxed ambience means you can escape your seat, socialize a while and then get “flat out” to sleep.

Contact Erika for more information and fares on 1800 047 047 or email her at: eaffolter@conciergetraveller.com