a dramatic sky over Sydney on arrival

Virgin Australia's Red offers hours of entertainment

Carrier: Virgin Australia

Flight Number: VA 2 departing LAX @ 20:25

Duration: 14:10

Class: Business Class Row 5 Privacy Suite

Configuration: B777-300ER 2-3-2.  Virgin Australia operates Boeing 777 on trans-Pacific routes.

Check-in experience:
After arrival directly at Terminal 3 via SB Airbus service from beautiful Santa Barbara, Check-in was a simple and easy procedure.  The efficiency of the person helping me was matched by her friendliness and thoroughness.  As there is no outward Immigration procedure in the United States, the departure gate was located in the same area as Virgin America's domestic US flights. 

On-time performance:  The flight left on time and arrived 20 minutes early.

Seat/Cabin conditions:
As would be expected, the plane was immaculate upon entry.  Row 5 is a special section in Virgin Australia's Business Class, an individual row separated from the rest of Business Class by the sit-down bar area.  For travellers who covet quietness and seclusion, Virgin's Row 5 offers a degree of privacy unmatched by other commercial airlines flying between Australia and the US.  Seat comfort is paramount in importance, and Virgin's seats are wonderful in this respect; the comfort is further enhanced once the seat is open into a fully flat bed made up with a soft underlay.

Food And Beverage:
An ample menu provides an interesting variety of dining options.  Business Class travellers on Virgin Australia can order any item on the menu at any time during the flight.

Service:
A friendly welcome was followed up throughout the flight by attentive service in a relaxed but still professional manner.

Entertainment:
Virgin Australia's Red entertainment system provides a substantial number of films, television programs, and other visual and audio options.  With so many interesting films ranging from current releases to cinema classics, time flies as fast as the plane.

Arrival:
Arrival at SYD was twenty minutes ahead of schedule.  With no queues at Immigration and quick delivery of baggage, the arrival process was pleasant and swift.  Most of Virgin Australia's Business Class passengers enjoy complimentary limousine transfers to their ultimate destinations on arrival.

Overview:
Virgin Australia's route network links Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane nonstop to Los Angeles with convenient departure and arrival times at both ends.  After a wonderful outbound flight from Sydney to Los Angeles, the return flight was as enjoyable as anticipated.