Review: Qantas vs. Virgin Australia Business Class on the Sydney-Melbourne Route. In the competitive world of short-hop business class travel between Sydney and Melbourne, Qantas and Virgin Australia vie for the favor of travelers. With over 160 daily flights on this highly-traveled route, both airlines are deeply entrenched in this lucrative market. We compare the business class experience provided by these two major carriers.
Check-in
Virgin Australia offers a fast-track check-in service for business class passengers, as well as Velocity and Beyond members flying out of Sydney during weekday mornings. The Sydney T2 Premium Entry option expedites the process, whisking passengers from the curb to the Virgin Australia lounge in under two minutes. Qantas, on the other hand, lacks a similar service but provides a priority check-in queue to streamline the process at its domestic terminals.
Baggage
For most business travelers on the east coast routes, traveling light with carry-on luggage is common. Qantas permits a single carry-on bag up to 10kg or two smaller bags totaling 14kg, along with a personal item. In contrast, Virgin Australia’s domestic business class has a tighter allowance of 7kg for a single ‘standard piece,’ although you can bring two smaller bags of up to 7kg each or combine the standard piece with a 7kg garment bag. If you have checked luggage, both Qantas and Virgin allow two bags of up to 32kg each, or three bags for Qantas Platinum or Velocity Platinum status holders.
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Lounges
Access to lounges is a key aspect of the business class experience, and here, Qantas and Virgin differ significantly. Business class passengers and Velocity frequent flyers with Gold and Platinum status can access Virgin Australia lounges before and after their flights. Virgin’s Sydney lounge offers ample seating options and high-speed WiFi, with a breakfast buffet and a bar.
Qantas takes a unique approach by providing two types of lounges: mainstream Qantas Clubs and dedicated Qantas Business Lounges in various capital cities. This dual strategy reduces crowding and offers a premium experience for high flyers. Qantas Business Lounges, like the one in Melbourne, offer a stylish, upmarket ambiance, and a diverse dining selection. However, some lounges may need upgrades.
Seat
Virgin Australia primarily operates Boeing 737s with eight recliner seats in business class. The seats are comfortable, with 49.5cm (19.5″) width, a 96.5cm (38″) pitch, and a 12.7cm (5″) recline. Unfortunately, they lack AC and USB power outlets. Qantas, on the other hand, offers a broader range of seat options, with Airbus A330 flights providing a significant upgrade in terms of space and amenities.
Dining
Virgin Australia offers a light breakfast on morning flights, featuring various options such as corn fritters and scrambled eggs. Qantas provides lunch options on specific routes, with diverse selections like Korean-style roast beef or chicken and leek pie. Qantas also offers complimentary spirits on select flights. Virgin serves pre-departure drinks, typically juice or sparkling water, and includes champagne on international routes.
WiFi & Entertainment
Virgin Australia offers free inflight WiFi for business class passengers, but the connection can be slow. Qantas provides free WiFi on its domestic 737 and A330 flights with faster speeds. Both airlines offer extensive entertainment options, but Qantas includes personal video screens on many seats.
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Price
For many travelers, price plays a significant role in choosing between airlines. At the time of writing, one-way business class fares for Virgin Australia range from $459 to $909, while Qantas business class fares range from $768 to $1,218. The choice between these carriers may be influenced by factors like aircraft type and individual preferences.