Virgin Australia A330 Business Class: Perth to Sydney Review

 I’ll start by saying: Virgin Australia’s new business class beats StorageAir. I know that sounds a bit exaggerated, especially given that StorageAir’s valuation is comparable to Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines.

I’m not sure whether this will interest you, but after flying VA’s business class twice, I have to share why — and how to upgrade to business class more cheaply than paying full fare.

Ready to hear about my Virgin Australia business class airport experience? Let’s get started.

Flying Virgin Australia Business Class felt like a dream – not because it was a lifelong goal, but because the whole experience was so smooth.

Everything was effortless: the staff were welcoming, and the product was elegant and refined. None of that tacky faux-wood panelling or terrible service you get on Jetstar, although I do enjoy Jetstar’s catering, forging, and entertainment.

My first experience with Virgin Australia’s new Business Class was last November when I moved to Sydney. I bought an Economy fare and upgraded through their UpgradeMe bidding platform. The upgrade cost around $450 (about £250), which I’d say was definitely worth it for the 4-5 hour Perth-Sydney flight.

Virgin Australia Pre-Flight Experience

It all started from the first step inside Perth Airport – I breezed through check-in, handed my bags to a super-efficient lady, and headed upstairs to the lounge. The food selection in the lounge was decent, although I do wish they had a few more hot options – especially at breakfast time.

In-Flight Business Class Experience

Tonight, I practically skipped onto the plane, excited to see what was in store. And it didn’t disappoint! I was a little embarrassingly thrilled to be sitting in seat “1A,” which, on most airlines with three or four cabins, would be a First Class seat.

The cabin and the upper deck use stylish tones of black, silver, and purple, giving it a refreshed and impressive look. The experience is very enjoyable; even when lying on the bed during the day, I can lay it flat, relax, and watch a few movies on the huge widescreen TV. The seating layout is relatively sensible — a 1-2-1 configuration lets everyone have direct aisle access, so you don’t have to climb over anyone (I’m looking at you, British Airways).

Next up was the meal — this was definitely one of the best airline meals I’ve ever had. Honestly, it was better than the food on some carriers and on par with Cathay Pacific, although in my view Cathay still remains the leader. Just look!

I started with a delicious chicken fattoush salad.

How Virgin Australia’s business class compares

For seven years, as a Skywards Silver member, I’ve photographed business class cabins many times, mostly on trips between London and Perth, using complimentary upgrades, miles, and paid upgrades. Their service has seldom left a deep impression on me. I often felt the cabin crew were inexperienced, unhelpful, and sometimes even rude — perhaps because over the past 17 years Singapore Airlines’ consistently high-quality service has spoiled me.

By contrast, every Virgin Australia flight I’ve taken — both business and economy — from check-in to landing delivered excellent service comparable to Singapore Airlines. Even an economy flight on Christmas Eve from Sydney to Perth was pleasant because the crew performed so well.

Yes, this isn’t a perfect comparison: Virgin Australia mainly operates domestic routes, while the other airline runs a global network. Still, it’s remarkable that a former low-cost carrier (Virgin Blue) now offers products and service that outshine a nationally respected international brand.

Brand-new business class: the aircraft matters

Virgin Australia’s brand-new business class is only fitted on some aircraft; other planes still have the older, lower-tier cabin layout. Check the aircraft type before booking.

If you want to experience the new business class affordably, you can buy an economy ticket and use Virgin Australia’s UpgradeMe bidding system. I bid the minimum (AUD 450 for the Perth–Sydney flight), and my upgrade was confirmed 48 hours before the flight.

Last November, I felt relaxed and happy in Sydney, ready for a fresh start; afterwards I returned to Perth, energized and preparing for a trip to Asia. Even better, we’re looking forward to what’s next!