This flight will soon be history so I am really glad I had the opportunity to experience Virgin Australia’s short lived return to long haul services. Virgin Australia under the ownership of Bain Capital does not have any widebodies so they used a B737 to fly between Haneda and Cairns. It might not sound too appealing to be stuck on a B737 for 7 hours and 45 minutes, but that was what I did. Business Class on this aircraft was not flat-bed but a recliner. Thankfully, the aircraft was not even 30% full but that is probably the reason why this route has since been pulled.
Check-in at Haneda Airport was a breeze and so was the premium security clearance.
No lounge access were provided for Business Class or elite passengers at Haneda Airport but thankfully, my Priority Pass got me into the Sky Lounge. Despite the name, it was actually a windowless dungeon!
Although there were only 50 passengers in the waiting area, boarding was still called by groups. Premium passengers and elite members were welcomed onboard first.
Dining on the flight was nothing to write home about but was adequate for the journey.
In a nutshell, here’s my take on Virgin Australia’s VA78 Business Class flight from Haneda to Cairns. This was on their Boeing 737 MAX 8, a 7.5-hour trek covering about 3,627 miles. Took off from Haneda at 9:45 PM and rolled into Cairns at 6:15 AM, just as the sun was peeking out. I walked through it all for you guys: the easy check-in at Haneda, a quick lounge stop (big thanks to ANA’s Business Lounge), boarding, the eight-seat Business Class setup, the food (that bento box tho!), and that early morning touchdown. It was a pretty sweet ride—comfy recliners, solid service, all that jazz. But here’s the gut punch: I shared this just days before Virgin announced they’re scrapping the route on February 24, 2025. Low demand from Japan and a weak Yen did it in, which honestly bums me out because this flight could’ve been something special. So, here’s what I loved and what didn’t quite soar for me.
Pros
- Perfect Timing: That 9:45 PM departure from Haneda? Genius. I got a whole day to soak up Tokyo, and landing at 6:15 AM in Cairns meant I could start exploring right away.
- Business Class Vibes: Only eight seats in a 2-2 layout—it felt exclusive. Plus, the all-inclusive meals (that teriyaki chicken bento was a highlight) and little touches like pillows and blankets made it cozy.
- Haneda’s a Breeze: Flying out of Haneda instead of Narita is such a time-saver—closer to the city, less hassle. Check-in was a dream.
- Lounge Perks: Thanks to Virgin’s tie-up with ANA, I got to unwind in their Business Lounge before takeoff. Solid way to kick things off.
- Early Bird Bonus: We landed 15 minutes ahead of schedule—nothing beats starting your day with a little extra time.
Cons
Lost Potential: The whole low-demand thing stings. This route could’ve been a gem if more people had jumped on board.
737 MAX Blues: Look, I get it’s a narrow-body, but for 7.5 hours? No lie-flat beds, limited space—it’s not quite the Business Class luxury I dream of on a long haul.
Route’s Donezo: Posting this right before the cancellation news hit was rough. Knowing it’s gone now makes me wish I’d savored it more.
Entertainment? Meh: The in-flight options were pretty sparse. For a night flight that long, I could’ve used more to keep me occupied.
Food Timing Felt Off: Dinner service after a late takeoff meant I was eating when I just wanted to crash. Sleep vs. bento was a tough call.
