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Tokyo Return via Cairns: Cairns fr $699, BNE fr $799, MEL fr $799, SYD fr $799 (Lite Fare:No Checked Baggage) @ Virgin Australia

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Tokyo Return via Cairns: Cairns fr $699, BNE fr $799, MEL fr $799, SYD fr $799 (Lite Fare:No Checked Baggage) @ Virgin AustraliaAffiliate
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beatthatflight on 28/06/2023 - 08:53 specials.virginaustralia.com (3072 clicks)
Last edited 28/06/2023 - 16:26 by 1 other user
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Virgin's take off to Tokyo sale. Ends July 4.

Lite fares don't include checked luggage, choice ones do.

Route Date Fare From Journey
Brisbane to Tokyo (Haneda) 30 Jul 2023 - 07 Aug 2023 lite $799 Return
Brisbane to Tokyo (Haneda) 28 Feb 2024 - 13 Mar 2024 lite $799 Return
Brisbane to Tokyo (Haneda) 30 Jul 2023 - 07 Aug 2023 choice $919 Return
Cairns to Tokyo (Haneda) 30 Jul 2023 - 08 Aug 2023 lite $699 Return
Cairns to Tokyo (Haneda) 16 Oct 2023 - 13 Nov 2023 lite $699 Return
Cairns to Tokyo (Haneda) 28 Feb 2024 - 13 Mar 2024 lite $699 Return
Melbourne (Tullamarine) to Tokyo (Haneda) 28 Feb 2024 - 13 Mar 2024 lite $799 Return
Melbourne (Tullamarine) to Tokyo (Haneda) 28 Feb 2024 - 13 Mar 2024 choice $919 Return
Sydney to Tokyo (Haneda) 28 Feb 2024 - 13 Mar 2024 lite $799 Return
Sydney to Tokyo (Haneda) 28 Feb 2024 - 13 Mar 2024 choice $919 Return
Travel Airfare Asia Instagrampost Japan Tokyo

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closed Comments

  • Miso on 28/06/2023 - 09:02
    +21

    Still a 737. Don't reward this behavior.

    $799 out of Brisbane though. No. Stop it.

    • howgoodisperth on 29/06/2023 - 10:57
      +1

      You cracked me up at 'don't reward this behaviour' - did anyone else laugh at this line?!?

  • 11112007 on 28/06/2023 - 09:03
    +14

    Saying NO to 737 on this route!

    • klunkeh on 28/06/2023 - 09:18
      +8

      Forgive my ignorance, what's wrong with the 737? Just because its old, loud and outdated?

      • j0hnd0e on 28/06/2023 - 09:21
        +17

        It's not fun flying medium-long haul on a single aisle jet.

      • Circly on 28/06/2023 - 09:27
        +15

        Seats are cramped and lack of toilets too.

        • shootermitch on 28/06/2023 - 09:27
          +1

          Great insight did not know , so what is the ideal plane for a trip to japan?

          • Forenti on 28/06/2023 - 09:31
            +16

            @shootermitch: A330 or 787, which are/were the norm for flights between Japan and Aus

            • Pcoder on 28/06/2023 - 10:41
              +8

              @Forenti: The only reason they are flying a narrow body, compared to a widebody is they are too cheap to lease one as that will appear on their books and with a float happening soon, they don't want it on their books.

              Also one other reason why they are starting it now is all the covid allowances are going away and they must be using this Haneda slot soon or the slot will be taken away from them and given to Qantas.

          • Sim69 on 28/06/2023 - 10:51
            +1

            @shootermitch: A Bombardier Global Express would probably be ideal 😆

      • wii247 on 28/06/2023 - 09:32
        +1

        It takes forever for flight attendants to serve water, food, and snacks.
        The in-flight menu is pretty bad too with Virgin.

        • SimAus007 on 28/06/2023 - 18:18
          +1

          The menu for Japan is completely different I think you'll find.

          • AircraftFreight on 28/06/2023 - 21:59
            +1

            @SimAus007: No. These 737s are catered out of Cairns for the return journey like Jetstar.

      • foxes28 on 28/06/2023 - 10:04
        +2

        They are actually planning to use B737 MAX 8 which is one of the newest aircraft models out there. But in this instance, I'd prefer to fly in the older Airbus A330 simply because of its size.

        • Techie4066 on 28/06/2023 - 12:21

          Unless they get the MAX here and operating in time, they're launching the route on the 737-700 (of which they have two with the business class cabin, inherited from Virgin Blue) until the MAXes are delivered (late). They've bought economy-only 737-700s from KLM to help plug the shorter-term fleet gap domestically.

          • Grannular on 28/06/2023 - 12:47
            +1

            @Techie4066: First MAX arrives tomorrow and will be domestic only until end of July.

          • TexasVujicic on 28/06/2023 - 14:35

            @Techie4066: They've had the -700's for a while now, used them mostly for the mining runs

            • Techie4066 on 28/06/2023 - 14:55

              @TexasVujicic: There are two types of VOZ 73Ws:

              1) Economy-only ex-KLM, delivered to VOZ since 2022
              2) 2x fitted with business class, delivered new to Virgin Blue 2005

              • TexasVujicic on 28/06/2023 - 15:55
                +1

                @Techie4066: correct but the 700s acquired in '22 have been doing mining runs over in Perth where they've been better for Virgin than say using them for Mel-Syd. I dont believe they were initially bought for the backup for Tokyo but i can't confirm.

                • Techie4066 on 28/06/2023 - 16:35

                  @TexasVujicic:

                  I dont believe they were initially bought for the backup for Tokyo but i can't confirm.

                  You're right, and I don't think they ever will be used due to not having business (despite having cabins refitted by Virgin). All of the CNS-HND flights have the option of business class.

          • SimAus007 on 28/06/2023 - 18:20
            +1

            @Techie4066: The KLM's are for FIFO, they'll be gone from the mainline fleet altogether shorty, thankfully :)

      • unhuman on 28/06/2023 - 11:52
        +1

        737 is a small plane. Not good for 7 hours flight . Qantas flies 737 to Bali and it’s not fun at all. It’s usually meant for domestic travel

      • SimAus007 on 28/06/2023 - 18:15

        It's not old, it'll be a brand new 737 MAX 8 in a couple of weeks.

    • knobbs on 28/06/2023 - 09:54
      +1

      I am looking at travelleing to Japan with our 2 kids under 4. From all accounts it looks like the 737 is a terrible experience to fly international. Only thing tempting me is I can get 50% cashback on the ticket (less taxes). Are the problems with the 737, toilets, pressure, no entertainment and smaller seats? Are there any other planes you would say to avoid?

      edit. The flights would be July 2024 so about a year away too. Would they change plan between now and then?

      • nigel deborah on 28/06/2023 - 10:05
        +2

        Unlikely for the aircraft to change between now and then, although not impossible.

        I wouldn't say it's terrible, but definitely not good. Seats are typically narrower with slightly less legroom on these single isle jets setup for domestic routes. Noise and pressurisation are probably not a whole lot different to an old a330, unless you're sensitive to that stuff.

        Based on your post you'd be looking at 450 ish return, I'd happily do it. It'll be better or on par with some of the trash tier international airlines, even though they're using widebody imo (Cebu / Scoot)

        • knobbs on 28/06/2023 - 10:26

          Thanks for the input, I guess a bigger consideration would be getting a direct flight now that I think about it some more from BNE and possibly some in-flight entertainment, although my tablet with some construction site TV shows worked well to NZ. Maybe not, they might enjoy getting out of the seat for a little, but I can't imagine lining up again waiting to taxi and such would be enjoyable the second time around.

      • foxes28 on 28/06/2023 - 10:07
        +1

        Domestic/international isn't the issue here. It's more duration of the flight against size of the aircraft (narrow vs.wide body). Like 737 is fine for Perth to Bali or Syd to NZ.

        Edit: Can't predict what's gonna happen next year. They might change the aircraft or they might even scrap this route if it's not profitable lol

        • Mamba Mentality on 28/06/2023 - 13:02
          +1

          Yeah, if they change the aircraft, they'll probably shift back to their original plans instead of flying from Cairns (prior to Covid, when they had 777s). Brisbane to Tokyo-Haneda. Since Cairns is just a compromise based on the aircraft range and not wanting to give up that rare Tokyo-Haneda slot. But I doubt that'll happen in the short term.

          Also I'm aware the Queensland Government is providing money with their Attracting Aviation Fund (to boost Queensland tourism). So I'm assuming the route will probably be in place while the airline receives some funding. Although VA probably would have probably received the funding anyway if the flight was to/from Brisbane instead of Cairns.

      • Miso on 28/06/2023 - 10:41
        +2

        They won't change planes before then. They don't have anything but 737s.

        For Virgin to get new planes they'll need to IPO, have the new owners want to expand the fleet past only 737s, decide on the planes, order them, train staff on them, put them on their route to Haneda (but who knows where it will originate it won't be Cairns).

        Won't happen in 13 months.

        • foxes28 on 28/06/2023 - 11:24

          Do they need IPO just to lease more planes?

          • Miso on 28/06/2023 - 12:27
            +1

            @foxes28: Yes because Bain will never have these costs on the books as the virgin business, and therefore Bain's profit, looks a lot better without them.

            • SimAus007 on 28/06/2023 - 18:34

              @Miso: Even though VA currently has 25 MAX 10's and 8 X MAX 8's on order?

      • Bargainjustifier on 28/06/2023 - 13:35

        How do you get cashback?

  • sickfvckadam on 28/06/2023 - 09:17
    +1

    I think the jetstar deal was better

    • WingedNike on 28/06/2023 - 11:30
      +1

      If you enjoy having all your flights canceled at the last minute

      • Konecs on 28/06/2023 - 23:51

        Went with Jetstar to Japan with one of their deals a couple of months ago. Not one cancellation or delay, there and back.

        • Fobsessive on 29/06/2023 - 06:58

          I can't even do Melb to/from Sydney without Jetstar cancelling…

  • Bonbi on 28/06/2023 - 09:18
    +11

    NO to 737 and NO to stopover in Cairns!

    • illogicalerror on 28/06/2023 - 10:59
      +4

      Hooray for us folks in Cairns who actually get a crack at the cheap flights for once!

  • CunningRunt on 28/06/2023 - 09:20
    +6

    BOOOOOOOO, look at those stopovers, why? NO TO 737.

  • Opaquer on 28/06/2023 - 09:20
    +1

    I haven't done much travelling or keeping up with the latest stuff - what's wrong with the 737 plane? Is that the same planes they use domestically so it's a pretty small experience?

    • j0hnd0e on 28/06/2023 - 09:22
      +1

      Yes that jet is meant for short haul domestic operations

      • Pcoder on 28/06/2023 - 10:25
        +7

        The toilet to passenger ratio can be as high as 84 pax per toilet. This might be fine for a domestic few hour trip where probably less than half the plane will need to go to the toilet, but on a long leg like this it will be closer to 100%, and a few people will need to go multiple times. It also doesn't help that the new toilets on the 737 are so small you can't properly wash your hands as the basin is too small for two hands.

        Seats on domestic configured flights tend to be smaller too and with less overhead baggage capacity to a wide bodied airliner, it will just be a more unpleasant experience.

        Plus I don't think this is a good deal as Jetstar has had flights recently for around 600, and with Qantas expanding their Japan services with 2 new daily flights to Narita, I'm kind of expecting a $1000 sale soon as they'll need to fill those planes and with Qantas you will get meals baggage and IFE included, which you don't get with these Virgin flights.

        • xdigger on 28/06/2023 - 17:52

          When does Qantas usually have their Japan sales? Wondering if I should snag this or wait. I have heaps of QFF points.

          • Pcoder on 28/06/2023 - 17:55
            +1

            @xdigger: Hard to say, but with the two additional flights and the higher interest rates, I think we'll see some discounting soon. Besides some holiday sales, can't think of any specific time they have sales.

  • jno on 28/06/2023 - 09:23

    ffs i need to go from melb this september! What a tease!

  • sydboy007 on 28/06/2023 - 09:43
    +16

    That pricing to take 3+ hours longer to get to tokyo. no thanks.

    better to get a direct flight with ana and jal. their =787 give the widest economy seats on the 787 since just 8 across instead of 9 that most airlines have gone with.

    also the food on the japanese airlines is way better, and the service level is up their with the best in the world.

    virgin needs to get a few a330s to fly the longer routes.

    • Techie4066 on 28/06/2023 - 12:37

      virgin needs to get a few a330s to fly the longer routes.

      Should've kept them for just a couple years longer

    • xdigger on 28/06/2023 - 17:52
      +1

      Whats the price difference though?

  • zdb97 on 28/06/2023 - 09:52
    +5

    On a single aisle 737-NG? Thanks but no thanks.

    • funk44 on 28/06/2023 - 10:07
      +3

      Still wouldn't do it on their upcoming MAX-10s

      • Techie4066 on 28/06/2023 - 12:36
        +1

        The -10 doesn't have the range, they're going to use -8s

  • sonicentropy on 28/06/2023 - 09:54
    +1

    I thought they have max's on order for this route

    • Grannular on 28/06/2023 - 12:58
      +1

      They do, but delivery was delayed.

  • Goose93 on 28/06/2023 - 10:03
    -2

    I just spent $1.5k on the exact same flights. FML - wish they would alert you of an upcoming sale like a week ahead.

  • mrjames on 28/06/2023 - 10:21
    +2

    VA have had to retro fit these 737 with rafts. Previously they were only running over the mainland.

  • qwerty-4321 on 28/06/2023 - 10:22
    +4

    On a domestic 737? Do they keep a vascular surgeon on standby at the tarmac?

  • Lighter Fluid on 28/06/2023 - 10:46
    -2

    737 Max 8's are on these routes.

    Wouldn't fly a Boeing stop gap death trap even at these prices.

    It's ridiculous that a plane like this is being used for a 10hr flight.

    • Sim69 on 28/06/2023 - 10:56
      +1

      While I agree that this aircraft won’t be the nicest for the route, it’s a 7.5 hour flight, not 10, and now the 737-max’s are as safe as any other aircraft, having flown almost 3 years major incident free

    • Fuzor on 28/06/2023 - 11:34

      Was it the 737 that was forced to be grounded by China safety regulators? I remember we followed the US in arguing that it was safe before grounding them. Have we gone back to using them again?

      • Techie4066 on 28/06/2023 - 12:54
        +1

        CASA (our regulator) followed suit the next day
        Yes, I despise Boeing too, but the MAX has been run over with a fine tooth comb. Quite literally the most scrutinised aircraft, ever, period.

        • foxes28 on 28/06/2023 - 15:05
          +1

          That's true but it's not gonna be easy for some people (including me) to look past those two incidents.

          • Techie4066 on 28/06/2023 - 15:07
            +2

            @foxes28: It's not easy for me either. But I am flying onboard a WestJet 737 MAX 8 next year because it's my only option. Boeing is an unethical, misguided company run by bean counters and the aircraft has fundamental aerodynamic issues, don't get me wrong. I wrote an investigative report on it.

  • Darayus on 28/06/2023 - 12:02

    I went to Manila from Sydney via Darwin on Jet A320. it was one of the most tiring flights I ever had and never do it again. It was the good deal $ 100 one way.

    Avoid single-aisle flights on long distances especially budget airlines as leg space is tight, no entertainment, no proper meals and service and finally you will feel like cattle transportation. You will feel more tired and exhausted after the flight, not worth the money saved when you have to pay for baggage, meals and other amenities.

      • j0hnd0e on 28/06/2023 - 13:07

        Nope, you don't get meals and baggage on VA economy. It's no different from other LCCs.

          • j0hnd0e on 28/06/2023 - 13:19
            +1

            @Techie4066: Direct from the source:
            Economy guests will enjoy our Buy Onboard Menu, with a selection of popular Australian and Japanese fresh and packaged food items available for purchase. We accept major credit cards on board (Cash and payments using mobile/watch devices, EFTPOS, Maestro or pre-paid travel cards are not accepted). 

            https://newsroom.virginaustralia.com/release/hello-tokyo-vir…

            • Techie4066 on 28/06/2023 - 13:20

              @j0hnd0e: Thanks, very disappointing from what used to be a full service airline. Guess they want people to starve. Withdrawn my comment.

  • gviddy on 28/06/2023 - 13:47

    28 inch pitch. No thanks. Unfortunately though this is going to be the future for all airlines.

    • Techie4066 on 28/06/2023 - 14:52

      Unless…
      Stuff of nightmares

      • Juice-Wa on 28/06/2023 - 15:49

        Dude! Space to stretch your legs!!! This is a godsend for us tall people

        • Techie4066 on 28/06/2023 - 16:46

          My legs can barely fit behind a Jetstar A320 seat. But I certainly don't want to be sitting behind someone's rear end nor in that seat in a crash.

    • Darayus on 29/06/2023 - 10:49

      Airindia 787 is generous 34 inch pitch

  • Youman534 on 28/06/2023 - 21:02

    Reckon there will be any deals coming up for return flights to Osaka or Tokyo over the Christmas break?

    • wackedupwacko on 28/06/2023 - 21:31
      +1

      Doubt it. There's almost no airlines in the world that have sales during their highest travel period.

  • payless69 on 29/06/2023 - 02:09

    Jetstar uses a Dreamliner to Narita and there is a new bus directly going downtown!

  • AircraftFreight on 29/06/2023 - 19:17

    First flight delayed by 1.5hrs on the way up and 2 on the way down lmfao

    Fly Qantas or Jetstar ;)

  • Dick10 on 30/06/2023 - 08:46

    Waiting for a Qantas award flight to Tokyo has the same odds as winning Lotto. The current availability is crap for March 24 ex Sydney ( long flight times and almost no seats especially in business) and non existent from Brisbane.

    • AircraftFreight on 30/06/2023 - 15:12
      +2

      Good luck, unless if you are P/P1/CL you will never ever get a Reward Business seat during peak time.
      I can see some at this time but they are allocated for QFF Gold and above.

      If you want a good availability month view, do the following steps.
      1 - Go to book "Multi City" on the main booking page
      2 - If not logged into your QFF account, do so and refresh the page
      3 - Be sure to select "Use points - Classic Flight Rewards only"
      4 - Select your route
      5 - Select your date and be sure to select "Flexible for all dates
      6 - When loading into the month view, Red = Economy, Yellow = Premium Economy, Gold = Business, Platinum = First

      If you do find Jetstar Business, please be aware its basically Premium Economy although imo a bit better as the food is Business Class catering rather than Economy. (JQ Business costs the same points as QF Premium Economy)

      2 Passengers Aus->Tokyo:
      Ex Brisbane there is a good amount of China Airlines (Taiwanese not PRC) in Premium Economy which then connects onto JAL Business into NRT/HND for 100k pp.
      Ex Brisbane on March 3,4 and 18 there is China Airlines in Business and then JAL Economy to NRT/HND for 95k pp which is less then the option above lmao.
      Ex Sydney throughout March there are Premium Economy then connecting Business/Economy itinerates onwards into Japan from Taipei

      if you are wanting to test your insanity with the Qantas FFQ Phone Line on 13 12 11, you can try and ask for a booking routed through Singapore which has excellent availability via Singapore with British Airways' latest Club Suites https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/british-airways-club-suites… and then a 5-10 hour connection with a following JAL Business Class sector into HND/NRT. This has pretty much 80% availability for up to 4 people during the entire month of March.

      • knobbs on 30/06/2023 - 16:54

        You sound like you know a thing or two. Considering the hair pulling experience I had with QF booking a RTW ticket on points before covid, do you have a place to consistently get the info above? Or is it just having the status to check?

        • AircraftFreight on 30/06/2023 - 19:41

          I can log into our Qantas Corporate Account to get bronze members FF Classic Reward views, on my personal account I am Platinum One.
          To find Classic Reward Seating reminders, I highly recommend ExpertFlyer which is a paid subscription service which allows you to notify you via email when Qantas releases seats in any cabin on the flight that you wish to book onto. I am also signed up to https://www.flghts.com.au/ mailing list which provides new Classic Reward availability on the Qantas International Frequent Flyer network.

          I've been there and done that for RTW tickets on points before, I often spend a day to see what flights are available and then ring Qantas up to make it a seamless booking.

          If you cant find Melbourne - Tokyo flights on points, look at Melbourne - Singapore. Make a note of availability and then look at Singapore - Tokyo, match up a flight with an acceptable transit time and then call up Qantas FF on 13 12 11 to make the booking as 1 ticket.

          • knobbs on 30/06/2023 - 21:03
            +2

            @AircraftFreight: Thanks for the tips. You make calling the QF call centre easy haha. My experience because I am pleb bronze was overseas call centre that doesn't know the rules and if it gets too hard they just hang up, that is after you get through the 2-3hrs of hold to talk to someone.
            "Sir you have a 23hr layover in LHR that is a stopover"
            No I can have 24hrs before it is considered one of my stops.
            "Are you telling me you won't leave the airport in that time?"
            It doesn't matter what I do I have up to 24hrs.
            Well I think it is a stop, you can't book your full itinerary…..

            • AircraftFreight on 30/06/2023 - 21:20
              +1

              @knobbs: Haha, South Africa is beyond useless, New Zealand is probably the best you can get

              • knobbs on 30/06/2023 - 23:38
                +1

                @AircraftFreight: The gods decided to shine upon me one day and I got through to Hobart. Literally was the only reason our itinerary was put together. But yes SA centre is as I said hair pulling. I have never been through to NZ, is it the same as trying to get Hobart and just call out of busy hours?

                • AircraftFreight on 01/07/2023 - 00:02

                  @knobbs: New Zealand is pretty good, if Hobart was 100%
                  New Zealand would be 60%
                  Fiji would be 40-100% depending on who you get to be honest, the more senior folks are just as good as Hobartians but 90% of them are 40% (profanity)
                  South Africa -5349708435780943509780894309834505894%

                  Its hard but not too hard, as it isnt a VIP line you should be able to ring through a few times and hit it.

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