VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Makes big promises for smooth running Christmas holiday season

Virgin Australia is making some big commitments to passengers during this holiday season. Over the months of December 2024 and January 2025, Virgin will run up to 3,000 flights each week domestically and on short-haul international routes.

Airlines’ recent history over the Christmas holiday period has not been good. With a huge number of people travelling, airlines have not been well prepared since the advent of COVID-19. In fact, they have had some of their biggest stumbles underestimating passenger demand, security staffing, crew sick leave, and equipment shortages.

This Christmas, Virgin Australia is vowing to do better, because they enter the season well prepared, or so they claim.

The size of the challenge

Let’s look at the capacity challenges that Virgin Australia will face this holiday season. It’s going to run extra flights to holiday destinations like Byron Bay, Cairns, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Sunshine Coast, Tasmania, and the Whitsundays.

They will have capacity that is 3% higher than in 2023, and 5% above pre-COVID levels. If you are travelling on Friday 20 December, Sunday 22 December or Friday 27 December, you won’t be alone. These are expected to be the busiest days of travel, so get to the airport early – 2 to 3 hours ahead of your flight, and prepare to be patient.

You can also prepare yourself to see Virgin Australia’s ‘industry leading completion rate with 98.3%’ for scheduled flights be decimated, and that is despite some hardline preparations:

Getting ready for the Christmas holiday onslaught

Virgin Australia is doing all the right things in preparation for this busy season. It’s recruited and trained an additional 90 guest services and 175 pit crew team members this year. Virgin has increased staffing in guest assistance areas, which is for passengers with accessibility needs.

It’s re-arranged its heavy maintenance schedule so that spare aircraft are available over this peak period in case of equipment disruptions. It’s also got hold of two ex-REX 737-800s, which it will use as spares for the holidays and then integrate into its fleet. That probably means they are currently retaining their REX branding.

They also have a bunch of new tugs, belt loaders, and passenger vans to ease the burden. They are also going to put a few of their office-based ‘corporate team’ back to the coalface of customer service to manage queues and provide ‘directional support’ to guests.

More Virgin Australia App functionality from today

Virgin continues to challenge Qantas in the tech stakes with a new Journey Tracker that will provide real-time updates on flight status, gate changes, and delays directly to your phone lock screen—if you allow it. This new Journey Tracker is available from midday today, Wednesday, 11 December 2024. You will see it on the Virgin Australia app three hours before your flight departure.

Onboard and lounge festive catering

Expect some Christmas holiday touches to the menu for Business travellers and some chocolates for economy passengers. You know the score: Turkey and Mince Pies in the air if you’re flying Business and in the lounge if you have access.

Traveller tips

You can contribute to the efficiency of holiday travel by arriving early to allow for security and check-in queues. Make sure you know the weight limits for carry-on. It saves embarrassment at boarding. Virgin advises leaving gifts unwrapped in your carry-on. That way, security staff won’t have to unwrap them if they have concerns. Place your wrapped presents in your check-in luggage. Finally, keep up to date on what is happening on your flight via the Virgin Australia app.

2PAXfly Takeout

Although these tips are provided by Virgin Australia, they apply to holiday travel with any domestic or international airline.

Christmas holiday travel is when everyone is working their hardest, and there are more travellers than usual. You may have your own panic or concerns, but remember that the airline is dealing with the issues of tens of thousands of travellers.

It’s best to perform your duties as a responsible traveller by preparing and arriving early for your flight. Everyone will be maxing out their baggage allowance, so ensure you are under your limit unless you want a nasty surprise in excess charges at the airport.

And, if you think you are the exception and should be given leniency, think of the thousands of other passengers who think the same about their circumstances.

It is especially the time to ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’.

Observe that golden rule.