Why I fly Virgin Australia and NOT Qantas

I am not sure if you aware (probably are as I always tweet about it haha) but I am a huge advocate for Virgin Australia when flying domestically in Australia. I have their velocity double sided card where one side is the card the other side is a pre paid visa card which is a FABULOUS idea, I even have collected (over the last couple of years) around 9 of their business class toiletry bags! Collected as in when tidying my wardrobe out i've found them not actually collected, collected! I was put on a flight from Sydney to Perth on Friday with Qantas now I wasn't looking forward to it as I have heard mixed reviews but I knew I would just give it a go and see. I fly emirates when flying internationally so I thought hey, if they are good I will change and then collect points that way!

My flight from Sydney to Perth was probably THE worse flight I have EVER taken in my life and below I will explain why!

Checking in was not an issue at all the lady was friendly and it was done quickly and efficiently, I explained I Was a nervous flyer and was given an exit row seat, now please note I wasn't asked about if I was "fit and able" but didn't think anything of it as they normally ask on the plane, remember that bit! I did ask if there was any Business seats available and was told they were fully booked.

Waiting around was ok I didn't have a lounge as wasn't flying with Virgin which also meant I couldn't upgrade to business with my points either but that wasn't really a big deal breaker for me. I then went upto the desk at the gate and said "Now I know when I checked in business was full but was wondering if anybody had failed to check in" Que response which I think is terrible "sorry we are over booked and 6 people who have paid are missing out on their business seats. Now that awful form Qantas, especially in business class, if I pay for my seat I would NOT want to find out I didn't actually have a seat!! This was then followed by being dealyed!!!

Boarding was a mess, Qantas don't have the system Virgin do where they call the back rows out first then then the second half of the plane it was a free for all so when your boarding your flight you have to wait to get to your seat as people take FOREVER in putting their hand luggage in the overhead lockers! I mean seriously guys! Jesus!

Virgin enable you to watch TV on taxi, take off, landing and taxi to the gate of arrival. Qantas you have to wait until the seat belts signs are off and then you have to put them away 30 mins before landing! Again not a massive deals breaker just inconvenience when you have 20 minutes left of a film to watch!!! arrghhhhhh

The air stewardess were miserable hardly smiled and when I asked for a drink I received the reply "oh sorry I forgot didn't I, oh no wait that was someone else but can't remember who" I mean remembering drinks is not rocket science.

One thing that massively was I was NEVER asked if I was fit and able to open the emergency exit door at any point and even the lady sitting next to me mentioned it to AND to top that off whilst we were taxing to the runway one lady cabin crew member on the opposite side of the plane shouted to the one in front of me said "She hasn't even said doors arm cross and check" and then when the lady in front of me expressed her concern and said she did the lady that originally shouted then proceeded to lock the door!!

So in summary

• Business class was over booked and lady admitted 6 people in BC would miss out
• Flight got delayed
• Boarding system is a free for all no organised boarding process
• One air stewardess forgot to "arm cross and check" and then proceeded to on TAXI TO RUN WAY
• Cabin Crew were miserable and always seemed to "drop the ball" so to speak
• Food was disgusting
• Not able to watch TV on taxi or landing

I will never EVER use Qantas again!