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Virgin Australia: Tokyo Business Class Return, Cairns $1926, Brisbane $2148, Sydney $2270, Melbourne $2417 @ I Want That Flight

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Another great Business Class deal - this time to Tokyo flying Virgin Australia. Travel in July - September/23 and February - March/24. Tickets include 2x 32kg bags and meals. Flights are direct from Cairns, Other cities have a short stopover in Cairns (any dates with long stopovers have been removed from the list below)..

$1926 Return Cairns to Tokyo Flights.

.Depart. .Return. .Price.
25/Feb 10/Mar $1926 View Flight
15/Feb 02/Mar $1926 View Flight
06/Feb 03/Mar $1927 View Flight
21/Feb 10/Mar $1927 View Flight
06/Feb 25/Feb $1927 View Flight
13/Feb 03/Mar $1927 View Flight
15/Feb 05/Mar $1927 View Flight
13/Feb 05/Mar $1927 View Flight
15/Feb 03/Mar $1927 View Flight
21/Feb 02/Mar $1930 View Flight
25/Feb 02/Mar $1931 View Flight
07/Jul 16/Jul $2471 View Flight
07/Jul 18/Jul $2472 View Flight
15/Feb 01/Mar $2477 View Flight
08/Feb 25/Feb $2477 View Flight

$2148 Return Brisbane to Tokyo Flights.

.Depart. .Return. .Price.
08/Jul 24/Jul $2148 View Flight
15/Feb 02/Mar $2175 View Flight
15/Feb 03/Mar $2175 View Flight
15/Feb 05/Mar $2175 View Flight
06/Feb 25/Feb $2175 View Flight
25/Feb 10/Mar $2175 View Flight
21/Feb 10/Mar $2175 View Flight
13/Feb 03/Mar $2175 View Flight
08/Jul 17/Jul $2316 View Flight
07/Jul 16/Jul $2316 View Flight
05/Jul 17/Jul $2316 View Flight
15/Feb 01/Mar $2316 View Flight
08/Jul 23/Jul $2316 View Flight
07/Jul 23/Jul $2316 View Flight
08/Feb 25/Feb $2316 View Flight
08/Jul 25/Jul $2316 View Flight
14/Jul 24/Jul $2743 View Flight
06/Jul 17/Jul $2921 View Flight
06/Jul 18/Jul $2921 View Flight

$2270 Return Sydney to Tokyo Flights.

.Depart. .Return. .Price.
22/Feb 08/Mar $2270 View Flight
24/Feb 10/Mar $2270 View Flight
22/Feb 10/Mar $2270 View Flight
21/Feb 10/Mar $2270 View Flight
22/Feb 11/Mar $2270 View Flight
06/Feb 25/Feb $2270 View Flight
19/Feb 10/Mar $2273 View Flight
15/Feb 03/Mar $2277 View Flight
25/Feb 10/Mar $2416 View Flight
23/Feb 10/Mar $2416 View Flight
20/Feb 10/Mar $2416 View Flight
23/Jul 11/Aug $2848 View Flight
08/Feb 25/Feb $2861 View Flight
11/Feb 25/Feb $2861 View Flight
22/Feb 07/Mar $2862 View Flight
22/Feb 09/Mar $2862 View Flight
08/Feb 26/Feb $2862 View Flight
08/Feb 27/Feb $2862 View Flight
22/Feb 12/Mar $2862 View Flight
22/Feb 13/Mar $2862 View Flight

$2417 Return Melbourne to Tokyo Flights.

.Depart. .Return. .Price.
07/Jul 16/Jul $2417 View Flight
08/Jul 17/Jul $2417 View Flight
15/Feb 25/Feb $2417 View Flight
14/Feb 25/Feb $2417 View Flight
06/Jul 17/Jul $2417 View Flight
13/Feb 25/Feb $2417 View Flight
15/Feb 01/Mar $2417 View Flight
15/Feb 02/Mar $2417 View Flight
08/Jul 24/Jul $2417 View Flight
08/Feb 25/Feb $2417 View Flight
15/Feb 03/Mar $2417 View Flight
13/Feb 02/Mar $2417 View Flight
14/Feb 03/Mar $2417 View Flight
15/Feb 04/Mar $2417 View Flight
13/Feb 03/Mar $2417 View Flight
14/Feb 04/Mar $2417 View Flight
15/Feb 05/Mar $2417 View Flight
08/Feb 04/Mar $2417 View Flight
08/Feb 05/Mar $2417 View Flight
14/Jul 24/Jul $2849 View Flight

Can I use my own dates? Yes - just click the link closest to your preferred dates and then change the dates once the search has completed.

For this airfare and more, check out our deals site http://iknowthepilot.com.au/

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closed Comments

  • Fix the title OP

    • +1

      Hmmmm - thanks for that & fixed. Definitely not what I had entered, I think it asked "Accept" with the city prices missing & I missed it

    • If you play around on Google Flights

      Economy = Emirates deals for as low as $1,800 AUD return to JNB from MEL via DXB. Singapore Airlines has it for as low as $1,589 return in Economy.

      Premium Economy - Qantas $3,500 return via Sydney for 2024

      Business Class - Emirates/SQ return for $6,600 return in 2024, November/December/August 2023

      • Is now the best time to book for nov/Feb?

        • Have a look at Google Flights, you’ll be able to find all the pricing graphs

  • +54

    "Business Class" - in a 737-800. Riiiiiight.

    • +22

      And no airport lounges…

      Not worth it IMO.

      • +15

        Yeah this is more like premium economy compared to other airlines.
        You’d honestly be better with Jetstar business.

        • +2

          technically better haha. the seating is slightly better iirc in the 787-8 and you get less post-flight body shenanigans on it compared to the 737.

          even when the Max8 comes out, the fuse is largely the same and wont pressurise to the level the 787 does.

      • +3

        Agreed.
        Virgin int business is rubbish (for the money)
        Made the mistake recently.
        No lounges, food was shit, seat was crap.
        It's premium economy.

      • -2

        They do airport lounges

        • +2

          Not for international flights, unless you want to clear security twice and visit a domestic lounge before going through the international terminal.

          https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/travel-info/at-the-air…

          International Lounge access when travelling on an international Virgin Australia operated flight

          Virgin Australia do not currently operate any international lounges at any international departure port. *
          If you are travelling on a partner airline operated flight, you may have access to one of our partner airline operated lounges
          For up-to-date information on partner airline operated lounges such as availability and eligibility, please check here

          *Eligible guests travelling with Virgin Australia internationally from Adelaide and the Gold Coast can use the domestic lounge as the international and domestic departures are located within the one terminal.

  • +24

    business on a 737, thank you but no thank you!

  • Ozbargain not Ozbusiness!

  • +11

    So that is basically a little more leg space and a nicer food tray… riiiight. I think that is called Premium Economy.

    • +2

      Maybe even complimentary tea and coffee lol

  • +15

    If they had their old 777 seats, this would be a great deal. With a 737 seats, this is honestly awful.

    • +1

      I have no idea why they leased their B777s to Qatar Airway and use the old-aging B737 for 8 hour-flight to Japan.

      • +5

        Streamlined their fleet to only narrow bodies to reduce costs.

      • +5

        The 777s, A330s and TigerAir were a huge liability to VA.
        They didnt go up to the high value corporate client base of QF and suffered on revenue per seat mile (check the financial reports) for the international division of VA excluding the 737-800 fleets. As most flights to SIN/HKG/AUH went out empty, VA had success on MEL/SYD-LAX - however that was only due to the fact that the AUD -> USD was above $1 at the time. Qantas also faired very well during this time on transpacific operations and with JQ having 3 daily flights from MEL/SYD/BNE-HNL.

        By Virgin Australia keeping its crew, pilots, maintenance, operations and other divisions to a consistent 737 fleet - it lowered cost on a massive scale. And later on in the pandemic would prevent VA from probably going bankrupt in the end.

        If Virgin were to come back to widebody analysis, it could very much could but the issue is that Virgin boosted off the A332s having lie flat J seats in comparison to the good old Qantas A330 recliners. And it made QF actually put some effort in by putting a 747 on the SYD-PER route, International A330s on the MEL/BNE-PER route and later on in 2014 launching new lie flat J seats on domestic A330s. I doubt how Virgin could pull a PR stunt to compete, (maybe $999 return J promo fares from east to west and $399 return Y promo fares)

  • More like premium economy!

  • Hmm I'd jump on this if it was Qantas :( but having looked at the business class cabin for this route… I don't think it's worth it
    https://www.pointhacks.com.au/news/virgin-australia-cairns-t…

  • +4

    Business class is not lie flat. Terrible

    • "working class"
      (what I called business class from that one time in the pointy end)

    • +3

      That is terrible. I know it's a tough business and I'd love Qantas to have more competition, but if you can't lie flat on a long haul overnighter, there just seems no way you should pay. https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/virgin-business-c…

      • +2

        The international fleet of Qantas A321 XLRs will have lie flat J seats.

        But then again its Qantas so expect the premium to be $$$

        • Says who?

        • Qantas business class flights to Tokyo currently start at $6,828, and in September start at $7.717 per adult return. I've noticed a similar pricing for flights to Singapore, as a multiple of economy class fares (about 6x or more). There must be an absolute blitz of corporate travel right now.

          • @y2k: Not really, people just willing to pay the extra cost for business class these days.

  • +10

    If you are looking for a business flight experience, then avoid virgin.

    I was forced to use a flight credit and opted for a business flight overseas earlier this year, and it was equal to premium economy. Terrible food, no inflight entertainment, no lounge access.

    Overall 2/10 experience. Only nice thing to say was the flight crew are awesome.

  • +5

    You’d be better off flying JAL economy with the eight abreast seating instead of a 737 sardine can

  • +1

    hard pass. buy aeroplan miles during the right time of year and you can get direct ANA Business for this price

    • How would this work?

  • +1

    The only real reasons you'd consider this is for status. Otherwise youd be taking a 737 -700 (M8 later) with the big drawbacks being its smaller and also the toilet situation.

    Its not priced insane but jetstar business is also available for likely cheaper and you'd actually get reasonable offering there too.

  • +3

    It's really just premium economy, should be more of a discount.

  • +1

    B737 on Virgin!! No thanks, I rather go with Jetstar B787

  • Haha does anyone read the prior posts before posting the same thing?

    • +4

      "Business Class" - in a 737-800. Riiiiiight.

      Jokes aside, assuming this is the point you are talking about, it's good for Ozbargainers who are not in the know to know that while $2K return sounds amazing for business class, multiple people agree it's nothing more than glorified premium economy.

  • Anyone knows how many status credit a return flight earns from Sydney?

    • +1

      That would depend on whether you are flying SYD-BNE-CNS-HND-CNS-BNE-SYD or SYD - CNS - HND - CNS - SYD

      SYD - BNE - CNS = 135 status credits.
      SYD - CNS = 80 status credits
      CNS - HND = 140 status credits

      SYD-BNE-CNS-HND-CNS-BNE-SYD = 550
      SYD - CNS - HND - CNS - SYD = 440

      Based on the November price, it looks like they both are similar prices. I guess if you were doing a status run, then stick with 550. I would probably wait till double status, do 1 run and you are platinum for the whole year…

      • I'm currently Gold until June 2024. I've always done status runs domestically but never internationally. Loosely planning what I can do until the review date.

        Thanks for the useful info.

  • Has Virgin flown their first flights to Japan yet?

    • First flight is 28th of June.

  • +1

    The comments here and elsewhere are 100% correct on this, it's a poor product offering, not business class and at best a premium economy offering, albeit it's really a Carins to Tokyo route, that you can connect onto out of capital cities etc. The least Virgin could do is improve the onboard food and beverage offering for this flight, the daytime day flight there might be bearable however overnight back not so much.

    It's also 737-700s and not 800s until the new 737-8 Max arrive.

    • I don't think the deal will get any better even if it's a 737-8 Max.

      8 hours flight in business class and you won't be able to lie down to get some rest.
      Then why bother to pay more?

      I know Virgin trying to come back but they really need to know what they are offering to the customers.
      These seats are only Premium econ when compare with other airlines.

  • Any upcoming Qantas deals to Japan or the regions?

  • +2

    I just came back from Tokyo on ANA 787-8 with 2-2-2 business class config.

    Worst business class experience ever, I regret paying $3000 on this route.

    • Very unlucky for you, those 787-8s are DOM configured and your luck must have ran out

    • What was wrong with it? Thinking of booking a J redemption with ana.

  • +2

    Yeh agree with all the comments here 737 is not business class…. I'd hate to book this flight thinking I was getting a true business class experience when in fact its not.

  • Fyi this price is the same (within $100) for a Singapore Airlines (SQ) Premium Economy adult fare to Haneda at the same time, but with a Singapore stopover (about 2hr minimum).

    Based on the comments and lack of flat beds on Virgin, you might prefer SQ because of the better entertainment systems and if you'd like a couple of nights in Singapore (their non-savwr fare gives you a free stopover).

    SQ business fares are about 5-6x Economy, so not quite as bad as Qantas Business class fares in absolute terms but still way higher than they once were as a multiple of Economy.

  • "Business class" on a 737. Yeah right.

  • Please in 10 years time don't let all airlines only be usng 737s for their international flights.

  • I am gonna disagree with most of the comments here, I reckon this is a pretty excellent deal.

    Makes for a really good status run you basically get gold status from this trip. Which can be used for lounge access on Singapore airlines, Qatar, Etihad, ect.

    Virgin business is definitely better than premium economy, sure it's not the same as a typical international business class but the price is way lower so I don't think that's a relevant comparison.

    • +1

      If you want a good status run you can also do this on QF with a Jetstar Business Max Bundle.
      From CNS you would get 280 Qantas SCs for about the same price as this VA deal.

      There are much better alternatives to earn Velocity status at a better $:SC ratio.
      Melbourne - Gold Coast | 160 SCs for $700, 320 SCs for $1400 and 480 SCs for $2100. Or 560 SCs for $2450.
      Cairns - Tokyo | 280 SCs for $2000 or 470 for $2400.

      Etihad International Economy fares to Europe can be found for as little as $1300 return (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/780734) which can net easily 350 SCs.

      • +1

        PER-BNE-CNS-HND-CNS-BNE-PER is around $2600 on this deal and nets 650SC, very hard to beat $4 per SC. especially departing from PER which typically doesnt have access to cheaper SC runs in the eastern states without a positioning flight. I havent checked the other cities but I imagine there might also be some decent runs from Darwin as well.

        Jetstar status run is far less flexible as Jetstar doesnt discount connecting flights in itineraries but definitely still decent considering how hard it is to get QFF status credits. Also worth noting requirements for reaching and maintaining status are much higher on Qantas so 280SC wouldn't even get you to Silver.

        • Honestly, it's an ok status run to a place that is nice to visit. That being said for actual $ per SC during Double status Credit earlier this year Velocity runs were at about sub $2 per SC ($1.8 being the cheapest I believe) so it's definitely still a fair bit off being very good value SC run.

      • That eithad fare nets 120 SC (40 from MEL-AUH, 20 from AUH to FCO).

        There are status credit runs that can get close to that value in singapore airlines premium economy but they typically require a positioning flight to indonesia or vietnam.

        • Hmm I had a look at an EY flight and it class Economy in fare class "B" which is considered to be freedom.

          Looking back its prolly an error.

  • +1

    If the airlines want us to call this product Business class, I vote we only ever refer to it as "Business" class (air quotes included) from here on.

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