Onboard the Virgin Australia Fokker 100 from Kalgoorlie to Perth

Join me in this trip report onboard a Virgin Australia Regional Airlines F100 in economy class from Kalgoorlie in Western Australia's Goldfields to Perth International Airport. The tour includes the airport terminal, departure gate, footage of the Fokker 100 landing, onboard catering and service. And a few other views and thoughts as well.
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This flight:
Airline: Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VA)
Seat: 18A
Flight: VA1852
Aircraft: Fokker 100, VH-FNJ
Camera: Gopro Hero 9 + Sony handycam something
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#virginaustralia #fokker #aviation #avgeek #airplane
0:00 intro
0:32 entering terminal
1:10 terminal cafe
1:32 Fokker 100 arrival
2:40 boarding
3:52 my seat
5:30 takeoff
6:35 super pit gold mine
7:01 Great Western woodlands
7:39 catering
8:16 landing
10:46 Virgin A320

[@DennisBunnikTravels]

What a lovely Fokker! Great video mate.

[@edicant1967]

Hi Dennis, look forward to seeing some vlogs from yourself. Hope you and your family are all well and in great health. Regards Edi

[@marcs8991]

Love you Dennis.

[@hughrothwell7522]

As much as I miss watching flight reviews on international routes, I have really enjoyed seeing more regional airports and a range of different aircraft. Thanks.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers Hugh.

[@karlossargeant3872]

@@PaulStewartAviation The Fokker Family both Jets and Turboprops there Kool I hope to fly on one since I'm from The Caribbean Island of Barbados there is possibility I can fly on one from St.Maarten from Barbados Jetair Caribbean from The Neither Antilles has a fleet of Fokker F70's operating right now so far they only have 3 or more Planes operating so I hope too see them expand into Other Destinations throughout The Caribbean also I'm flying to London Heathrow Airport on Virgin Atlantic Airways A330-300's which will soon be Replaced by New A330-900neos which Virgin Atlantic Airways has now in there fleet alongside there Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners & Airbus A350-1000XWB's I hoped to fly on All Of them in the upcoming future Awesome Video Paul Steward Aviation nuff respect to all your Videos on Aviation and Travel keep going and Dream Big on Aviation man 100%

[@janetbruce2430]

Another pleasant flight in a great aircraft. From the spooling up of the Rolls Royce engines at the Kalgoorlie airfield to a smooth landing at Perth after just a one hour flight. Great commentary and video footage makes it a pleasure to "fly" with Paul again. Well done.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@60frederick]

Thank you very much, Paul, for sharing your great video with us. I do enjoy the view out of the window. It gives me the feeling of being in Australia (but I am still here in Switzerland).

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@stevenmaron4698]

Love the jump cut fast editing in the intro and the cutaways to the woodlands. Their getting better and better.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers Steven

[@EastWestMangi]

My favourite airplane of all time. We have a family friend who is soon to retire from flying the QF B717. He describes the F100 as a well balanced aircraft.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yes the fokkers seems like great aircraft. It’s just a pity they had financial problems. But it seems that aircraft makers all need government money otherwise they’d collapse. I guess the Dutch just didnt see them as vital as the USA sees Boeing, and Europe with Airbus

[@danieleregoli812]

I absolutely LOVE the scream of those Rollers!!!! They are just like mini-RB211s!!!!

[@mmmmdeliciousbacon]

That's an awesome video Paul, thanks! I have never been to Kal, nor have I flown in a F100, so that was good to see. I'm amazed by the legroom too - wow! Love the red dirt in the region, you sure know you are in outback Aus when you see that.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate. Check out my two other vlogs into and out of Kal onboard Qantaslink A320s and F100s for some more dirt :)

[@tristar5044]

Those engines...music to my ears

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Agreed!

[@GreenerGrass]

Thanks for the video, Paul! Really enjoyed the flight, of course. But I also appreciated a glimpse into the Mediterranean Woodlands! As for your question...I really hope Virgin goes the Full Service route.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers Jeb!

[@quentinb4339]

Great video with really interesting commentaries ! I would really love flying with virgin Australia in the future

[@sp4263]

Enjoyed your splicing in the WA woodlands video. Being from east coast Oz I enjoy learning about WA.

[@jouniairplanevideos]

As Dutchman, Thank you for sharing!!!!! I hope they would buy the Fokker 130!!!!

[@matthiashaenni]

Stunning trip report ✈😊 I love the Fokker 100!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers Matt

[@F50Aircraft]

Good work mate as always, the views were good. You should do a trip report from Carnarvon (CVQ) to Perth, my family is from there and I'm sure you'll enjoy the Rex Saab 340B's. I also know the lady who runs the ground handling/baggage handling service at CVQ.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate

[@SirCooper]

Ooo! So cool to see you doing this unique aircraft, like the Qantas Fokker 100! Wish i could Plane-Spot at Perth, Brisbane is too basic :( . Also, i like how trip-reports say "A Kilometre of leg-room" It's a funny phrase to me (altought, i get why)

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate

[@Mmaulin12]

Love the clamshell thrust reversers. Living in the Dallas area, I used to fly on AA’s MD-80s a lot. The JT8Ds had similar reversers.

[@Turt3zyKSP]

really cool video! in my opinion the bucket-reversers are definitely the best looking. hope you have a great day!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate

[@danieleregoli812]

Great video! Such an amazing (old school!!!) aircraft to fly on!

[@DutchFlyGuys]

Really really miss flying with these beauties! Great video again!!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers

[@MrJimmy440]

Another enjoyable film Paul. Thanks !

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@staralliancefan1245]

Really enjoyable video once again Paul. I completely agree with your comments about Virgin Australia. It's understandable that their international routes were profitable since international flying seems pretty expensive in general but the golden triangle should have kept them afloat.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@willmatthews6253]

Great video Paul! Love that engine sounds

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers Will

[@CHRISandSHAN]

What an amazing journey! thanks for sharing. All the best :)

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Thanks for watching!

[@awesomeaviation2325]

Great video, I flew this route earlier this year and flew on Virgin Australia Regional Airlines on VH-FNJ and in seat 18A. I hope you enjoyed your flight ✈️.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers my friend. Yep I watched your video and gave it a thumbsup while I was researching for this video :)

[@awesomeaviation2325]

@@PaulStewartAviation Thanks, I hope you enjoy your Virgin A320 to Broome (Flew that route in July earlier this year) if there’s one thing to expect about that aircraft just think about Tigerair. (Since they are all old Tigerair aircraft.) It is a very lovely route and I really hope you enjoy, Broome is amazing.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers

[@AviationActionYSSY]

Awesome video mate, I love that aircraft. And did I hear that you are visiting Broome !!! Such an awesome place with heaps of stuff to do. -keep up the great work !

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate. Yep off to Broome later this month :)

[@AviationActionYSSY]

@@PaulStewartAviation very lucky, I am still in Sydney’s lockdown, although I will be able to go out in the next week or two.

[@planetas935]

Amazing Video Paul! I would love to fly on the Fokker 100!

[@TimSmyth23]

That noise. Fabulous! The video can never do the deafening racket at the back of the cabin justice. I loved flying on them when working for bmi. You should try a seat right at the front sometime as with the take-off angle feeling very exaggerated and the power pushing from the very back it feels like taking off in a rocket!

[@k9killer221]

I also don't understand how VA went bankrupt. Domestic travel is so expensive in Australia, it's like a licence to print money.

[@davidcartwright5591]

I enjoyed this video Paul . I do like the F70/100 family of aeroplanes , they are very flexible in their capabilities , particularly into shorter strips . I have no idea what direction VOZ is going in , but the next year is going to be interesting for sure for all carriers .

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers David

[@keithsmith4059]

Great informative vlog as always .. beautiful west weather 🛫🥂

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers Keith

[@bobbrewer5182]

Another great video Paul. @2:08 your point about the engines is true, but the high engines can also be detrimental in cold environments if the de-icing of the wings is not done properly like in the Scandinavian Flight 751 near Gottröra, Sweden on an MD-81.

[@ray671m]

Enjoyed this video.. Lovely scenery from above too.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@zorbalight3933]

"They only exist to assist with some accounting trickery" Paul what a great business case argument for any airline?

[@michaeleyrephotography6264]

Nice video- well done. In answer to your request for feedback as to the direction Virgin should take; I can offer you quite the background. My father worked for British Midland, we lived in Derby UK and he was based at East Midlands Airport, so the story of this aircraft is close and dear to me, but also for the reason that I worked for Skywest Airlines, and prior to that, Ansett Australia. I was very much aware of Virgin when it entered the Australian market. We, at Ansett, took notice being their business model was very different to that of us, and Qantas. Needless to say, we had operated as the largest domestic carrier in Australia for over 65 years. Virgin launched with the statement they were in Australia to serve the everyday person, Mum and dad and the family - they stated they were not interested in the corporate sector or competing with AN and QF. This was their first and biggest mistake. They then realised the unique nature of air travel in Australia consisting of 'long, thin routes' could not sustain a value based airline. They gradually attempted to change their business model but remain a VBA - it was never going to work. I could go on for hours about the industry, but, in answer to your question, Virgin needs to re-think their business model entirely and in doing so, also become a full service airline to survive. Thank for the video - brought back memories of being on the Skywest team bringing jets (F100) into the fleet.

[@adrianmilford9316]

F100, love this aircraft.Air Niugini flies both F70 & F100🇵🇬.Great video

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate. Hope you’ve seen my Alliance F70 vlog too

[@adrianmilford9316]

@@PaulStewartAviation Seen it mate, its awesome

[@lucasgamingandvlogs6168]

So much waiting for this

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Hope you enjoyed it

[@lucasgamingandvlogs6168]

Yes I did thank you for being an insper for ne

[@Calebs_Aviation]

Great Video Paul! Once again! I can’t wait till COVID blows over so I can visit Australia 🇦🇺 It’s the top country on my bucket list!!!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers Caleb

[@wizastravels9235]

Hey Paul, loved the vid and some views of the many mines in the outback. Mate, I think Virgin should aim to be a full cost airline, there is no reason as to why I see they can't have a crack. As you rightly mentioned, some of the business fare that Qantas are charging are sometimes double or triple that of Virgin and Rex. Anyhow, as always, only time will tell. So, what is going to be the first international flight review....... 😉

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate. Yeh not sure to be honest. As I'm currently working in WA, it won't be any time soon. Maybe Q2 next year.

[@yiannitheodorakopoulos4070]

Lovely to see someone not be told off by the crew for filming. Normal reviewer = good video....

[@PaulStewartAviation]

I try and be polite and film as subtle as possible. No complaints yet although an EK crew just requested that I don’t film any crew of pax (which was fair enough). Glad you enjoyed the vid.

[@robbo5364]

I love Virgin Australia and you brought me a new cool plane! Thank you so much! You entertained us when we I can’t travel :)

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate - keep an eye out for my VA A320 vlog later this month :)

[@sactu1]

Schmick! Another excellent video.

[@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931]

As a Dutchman I just had to watch this one:) If I remember correctly I flew a F100 (maybe F70) some 20 years ago or so with Austrian Airlines. I remember it being quite noisy at take off just like in your video. When Fokker went bankrupt in the nineties it was a big thing in the Netherlands however i've been told that the aerospace industry in the Netherlands has never done better in spite of that (and maybe because of that). Parts of Fokker continued activities still using the brand name I believe. I remember the Fokker F-27 and F-28 flying around as well. I saw it in a museum recently and was struck by what a beautiful plane that actually was although at the time I never thought it was anything special. Maybe something for a future video!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Hope you enjoyed the video and there's a few other Fokker videos on my channel. The local HARS museum is actually refurbishing a Fokker Friendship and I hope to do a video on that soon. It'll be interest to contrast it with the 50 that I flew a few years ago.

[@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931]

Sorry, I just saw you actually already have a video about the Fokker F-50, which is of course very similar to the F-27 and F-28.

[@james7149]

Hi Paul, always enjoy your unexpected additions like the Mediterranean Climate Forest of Western Australia, so interesting. My thinking on where VA should target is to compromise by staying in the middle…something towards full service, something toward low cost. The question I suppose is, what is the middle in these Covid days. I so agree though that we need market competition so hope VA’s future is secure, Cheers Mate👍

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Thanks Jason

[@edicant1967]

Hi Paul, another great video. Cheers

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@edicant1967]

@@PaulStewartAviation Zurich is waiting for you.

[@HoneyBadger_____]

Went on VAs Fokker 100 between Perth to Darwin last year. It was a weird schedule as we departed at 1am in the morning, last time i did Perth to Darwin was on Qantas 767 back in early 2009.

[@icewut]

I did a bit of work experience a couple of years ago with some aircraft mechanics, involving a lot of wheel maintenance. I can definitely tell you that VARA was printed on just about everything to do with them so it's definitely used in other places! Cheers from Perth.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate. I'm now learning it's a common term 😆

[@icewut]

Something something great minds... 🙂

[@PaulStewartAviation]

@@icewut haha

[@wotan10950]

“Mamma Fokker!” Surprisingly, the F-100 was quite popular in the States, and I flew on them regularly. American, USAir, Midway. Lovely airplane, especially upfront.

[@tazzer9]

the most amazing part of this video was simply getting into Western Australia

[@PaulStewartAviation]

I've been working here for 2 months after coming across from the NT.

[@AUmarcus]

Nice landing....butter.

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

G,day from Sydney. Thankyou for showing the open cut mines of WA. I can remember in my studies: Land use with TAFE on; * Old system title * Torrens Title "All rights and interests to minerals are reserved to the Crown'. 🌏🇦🇺

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers John, glad you enjoyed it.

[@shalininaicker]

Sad to see the VA 777s sitting at Wellcamp Airport Toowoomba with an uncertain future. Great video Paul.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yeah it is sad. There’s also a taped up VA A330 at PER too. :(

[@matthewb9824]

Nice video. Surprised to see that it appears this flight took off with zero flaps. Hmm.

[@lucasgamingandvlogs6168]

Love you

[@Bad_Karma1968]

Paul Superb vlog sir

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate

[@andysalmon9162]

I flew on the Fokker 100 from Johannesburg to Cape Town about 20 years ago! That flight ended in the plane having hydraulic failure which ended up in a 3 hour delay after landing. Pronouncing the name is always hair raising

[@newflyer6837]

Yes those reverse thrust deflectors do something for me too! 😝

[@PaulStewartAviation]

haha

[@gpierre90]

Hey Paul Great Video. It's great to see some views of Australia which makes me miss the country more. Its been more than 20 years since I have been to WA and I feel its time for another visit, be it after Australia opens its borders to international tourist which I hope will be very soon. You made an interesting point concerning Virgin Australia bankruptcy and how hopefully the new admin could get it back to its former glory, In fact there's a lot of airlines including our national carrier which I can ask the same thing, hopefully they are thinking of how to make money. Anyway I wish VA all the best.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate. It's definitely worth visiting again when things open up :)

[@AUmarcus]

It looks like NSW then VIC will be first to open in November....QLD and WA are way behind with vaccinations so who knows.

[@TheScoota2008]

Amazing video of FNJ and the flight I will say that alot of the people that work on VARA actually do call it that just a hell of a lot easier to say than Virgin Australia Regional Airline.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate. Yeh Virgin Australia Regional Airlines is quite a mouthful!

[@jasongarufi8187]

Thanks for another great video Paul lets hope Virgin Australia can compete with Qantas so keep fares low and keep flights to reginal Australia

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it Jason

[@rhyssandy6524]

I work for Virgin and we refer to Virgin Aus regional as 'VARA" the same way you said it!!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers. What do you do for VA?

[@rhyssandy6524]

@@PaulStewartAviation Pit crew in SYD

[@julzb7165]

Good morning Paul from Scotland

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Good evening from the colony :)

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Cool stuff! 👍 I was meant to be flying on a QantasLink F100 out of Kalgoorlie next month but Qantas swapped it for a boring 737. 😢 I also checked Virgin and they’d done the same. So no F100 for me.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

That sucks! VA changed my A320 to a 737 a few weeks ago so I cancelled the trip haha.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

@@PaulStewartAviation Fair enough. Unfortunately I can’t be flexible with dates because it’s part of a bigger trip or I would have changed it (even more devastating was that they changed my A330 flight from Perth to Brisbane to a 737 😭). Oh well, first world problems. Ha.

[@johnchang3807]

Great choice for sitting near the engine .. sounds so good. And great videos and reviews as always . How much was the return ticket please? Wanting to either fly there or drive there for Easter holiday. Cheers .

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Fifos arrive on monday morning and leave on friday evening so avoid those flights as they are very expensive. Fly in the opposite direction to fifo workers and it should be cheap ($150 vs $400 one way)

[@747kp7]

Great vlog Paul! Yeah god only know how VA were unable to be profitable flying around Australia. Someone in head-office was screwing up.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate

[@andyrob3259]

Sometimes they created losses for tax purposes. Got my hands on Virgin financials years ago in my role as an analyst and they would write off hundreds of millions in Goodwill or create an impairment at the slightest ‘bump’ in trading conditions. Also they would have loans from major ‘overseas’ shareholders as a way to reduce profits and shift money back overseas as ‘loan or interest’ repayment. Sometimes a loss is genuine and sometimes it can be ‘contrived’.

[@SoaringEagleGaming]

Hey Paul before we got locked down in melbourne, i flew between melbourne (YMML) and perth (YPPH) with Virgin alot, and the frustrating thin was i flew 4 times in business class (i got a snack box instead of the full service meal) even when they canned the snacks for economy customers) to be honest it was disgusting i get the airline collapsed, i get the ceo was making a killing in profit to his income, i get that they had not setup supplied lines but i feel you pay business there is some level of expectation you should get. all the staff did was say sorry alot, what i am looking forward too is maybe REX picking up the melbourne perth route or even sydney perth (i would fly rex business to sydney then to perth if i could) something needs to change. also very good video its great

[@maureen8966]

Hi Paul thank you for video nice looking at mines from air. I thought it took longer to get to perth.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it Maureen

[@ATEmedia]

Awesome video. I really want to see the Fokker introduced Mildura to Melbourne (YMIA to YMML) route. VA did have 737 daily route but scrapped that during covid. now we are left with Rex and Qantas link. Also did they use reverse thrust on landing into Perth? Seemed quiet on board.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yeah I don’t think they did use reverse thrust as it did seem quiet.

[@tobiasmomsen5410]

I went on the virgin a320 to broom from perth and it was hell good

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Nice! I'm on that flight later in the month

[@ryansofly]

I suppose REX and VA are in a similar position, being middle tiered carriers. I'm still skeptical that middle tiered airlines can be profitable because of the confused positioning, but hey I'm happy to be proven wrong. Like you, I too am largely a QF fanboy. But I've recently discovered the joys of VA and I can see why they have their loyal fan base. So I do wish for VA to thrive as well, only then can QF be forced to.offer competitive fares.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yeah VA are good and I’d fly them more if they joined Star Alliance as I (used to) do a lot of international travel. Until then I’ll have to stick mostly with QF. And i agree - there is no middle ground. Either go full service or full LCC.

[@chrismckellar9350]

Middle tier or LCC/FSA hybrid business model you can capture the budget or cheap fare passenger through to the premium passenger. Air NZ has done it and works well for them until the pesky virus changed things.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

@@chrismckellar9350 you’re right that NZ has gone down that path reasonably successfully. But they don’t have the uncertain image problem that VA do as they’re still the one and only flag carrier for NZ. They have very little competition domestically.

[@chrismckellar9350]

@@PaulStewartAviation - I do agree that there was surprise when Bain hinted that VA could be a LCC, which REX was hoping for. That said, an airline adopting a LCC/FSA hybrid business model can cater for all market segments and get a good financial yield. REX is more of threat to VA than Qantas but knowing how Qantas can be very predatory, that could put alot of pressure on VA. As mentioned previously, it is going to be interesting what VA is doing to with their brand being the carrier stuck in the middle under pressure by the well established carrier and the new kid on the block.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

@@chrismckellar9350 I fully agree about REX harming VA more than QF. Those two little guys will eat each other while QF takes over. REX doesnt have the lounge access, status perks or flight regularity to provide a premium service to business pax. QF and VA do, but Rex has nothing other than rubbish lounges in Syd and Mel. And that was always my fear with Rex. They’d come and kill off VA only to have QF sitting to the side watching, and then swoop in and eat Rex afterwards.

[@_tim]

That has to be the most modern Fokker 100 interior I have ever seen. By comparison Alliance's interiors look like they've barely even been touched with a chux and spray and wipe let alone been replaced any time in the past two decades.

[@caelansmith]

As a shareholder of Rex, I'm really hoping that Rex takes the lead as a middle of the market airline but it would also be nice to see VA do alright

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yep I hope REX does well but they’ve got some feisty and cut-throat competition.

[@heathertruskinger6214]

Hi Paul. I agree with your comments about Virgin, Qantas and Rex....and the competition between them. Even Alliance is is owned partially by Qantas, so I, for one wholey support the fact that Australia needs more competition to bring prices down. I tend to fly the Gold Coast to Melbourne and back route, and I much prefer the service and help I receive on a Virgin flight , that Qantas or Jetstar, so I am hopeful that Virgin is able to survive. As for that Fokker-100 flight , wow.....what a great view of the engines from that seat...but I dunno if my ears could take the noise 🤣

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Thanks Heather

[@isaacfung622]

Would like to try Fokker 100 soon, regardless of Qantas and Virgin Australia

[@Hazza4257]

The scale of the daily WA FIFO operations is pretty cool. I believe Australia is one of the last places in the world where the F100 is used in large numbers?

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Agreed! Regional Australia has been a bit of an flying aviation museum with the F-100, F-70 and even the F-50 until a year ago!

[@tavita8699]

As I only travel in Business class I never fly Virgin because their Business class seats are very narrow widthwise compared to Qantas. I only support the fly kangaroo. Interesting video non the less Paul What a magnificent day for flying. How are you loving life in Kalgoorlie Paul?

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Kalgoorlie isn't bad :)

[@campari4467]

Hi Paul Great video How was the water?? Any facial mist?

[@PaulStewartAviation]

haha I'm afraid I missed the mist

[@TransportVideosAU]

Another great video from my home state of WA, I personally think VA should go back to a full service airline,not only to provide choice for passengers but to the bring the airfares down with competition with Qantas. As for REX they can’t keep offering cheap fares SYD-MEL if majority of flights aren’t even full.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Totally agree!

[@user-bh5ju5pp1x]

Класс 👍

[@karlossargeant3872]

I would like for Virgin Australia Airlines to go for The Low Costs Airline Market I Believe this will help them in some way too not only competite but keep up with Qantas Airlines High Airfares Costs that's how they'll get a one up on Qantas Airlines but we'll wait to see what happens next Awesome Video!!!!

[@linhofmann4913]

If you are feeling mega keen for the VARA A320 , book Perth to Christmas and Cocos Islands , looonng trip :)

[@PaulStewartAviation]

haha I did consider it but it was pretty expensive. So I'll catch the VARA A320 up to BME instead :)

[@linhofmann4913]

@@PaulStewartAviation the view of the aqua water coming into land in Broome is pretty good

[@robaust3049]

Kalgoorlie has a long relationship with the Fokker aircraft. Going back to the 1980’s Kal used to be serviced by Fokker F-27 MMA (MacRobertson Miller Airlines sometimes dubbed Mickey Mouse Airlines) and then the occasional Fokker F-27 and later the Fokker F-50 by Skywest Airlines. I know the Fokker are cost effective (cheap) although be nice to see one of the Carriers move either to the later more efficient aircraft either the Airbus A220 or Embraer E-Jet.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Interesting!

[@kennethcampbell7263]

fuselage engine mounts allow better clearance in case of emergency landing as they can’t catch in water like wing hangers do. Sorry Av geek that loves tail pusher over wing hangers. Qantas also like to force competitor out of the air they bought out TAA and forced Ansett to the wall for the first time in the 1980s and finally in 2001

[@CB-ke5ev]

Great video Paul. No I think VA should target the low cost market like they did at the start in the Virgin Blue days. They never made a profit as a full service airline so I'd have thought the decision should be pretty obvious??

[@tonyhopkins4404]

Of course I am sure you know VARA is a Virgin subsidiary with its own operators certificate and separate management. Everyone I know in the industry calls it VARA so not just you! My favourite F100 of VARA has the brass bullhead clock and old ashtrays in the seat arms. So to answer your question about full service or low cost, mainline Virgin should go full service to get the high yield business and government passengers. Probably VARA should remain what it is, a Perth based mostly FIFO airline with low yield tourist passengers to places like Broome. While Qantas have joined Alliance with newer Embraer 190’s, VARA will need a plan to replace the F100’s.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Thanks for the insights Tony. Damn that's a pity about VARA - I'm far less important that I thought haha.😆 Oh I should have kept an eye out for those clocks! You're probably right about VARA remaining what it is while VA might move back up again.

[@christian-jakobgrasl]

Ex Austrian Airlines aircraft or ?? What I know „we“ sold a couple of Fokker 100 to downunder 🙈😇… great video by the way, greetings from Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹

[@gregj7916]

The Fokkers are a very tough aircraft… pity the went belly up… believe the FIFO sector will end up with lots of Embraer’s 190’s…

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yeah I think you’re right about going with the Embraers. They seem like great jets that have proved them selves.

[@ioptia]

Fokker are nice planes

[@jasperkelly181]

You should visit Cambodia once the international borders open. Btw I love your videos

[@PaulStewartAviation]

I have family there now so I will be :)

[@mackay4740]

I had no idea Virgin flew Fokkers. Great aircraft considering the age of the aircraft.

[@lucascalma605]

I hope that you can fly on Philippine Airlines my flagship carrier one day, and perhaps visit the Philippines too!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

I’d love to checkout their A350 and A320 Neo :)

[@NonyAviationNewZealand]

Are prices still the same in New Zealand? AirNZ is still charging north of $300 for a 60 minute flight here. Had to push back my upcoming flights to Nelson which is a 1hr flight followed by a 35min flight and it cost $140 on top of what was already paid for the original flights!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yeah NZ has the same problem as Australia, although it's even worse. A national airline with a near monopoly.

[@NonyAviationNewZealand]

@@PaulStewartAviation Looking forward to seeing you back over here, great trip-reports, keep it up!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

booked for March :)

[@joelbaverstock2121]

Hey mate just to give you a heads up every WA aviation enthusiast calls them VARA :)

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers Joel, learn something new every day :)

[@allws9683]

Is there a reason/explanation why so many Fokkers fly down under ?

[@baffcvhjj4587]

hello paul i was just wondering does qantas no longer fly 737s from darwin to alice springs?

[@PaulStewartAviation]

The E190s was probably easier to fill.

[@baffcvhjj4587]

@@PaulStewartAviation so they don’t fly the 737s on that route?

[@baffcvhjj4587]

@@PaulStewartAviation ?

[@luinpuin4152]

I used to work at Fokker, shame the gouvernement didn’t try to save us as we were shut down. We made very good planes wich could be flown with trust and in comfort.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

It’s sad. Hope you enjoy my other Fokker videos :)

[@robertchinnock8017]

Not a bad flight from kal to perth

[@AlonsoRules]

For a short flight like that, the product is acceptable. It's not going to be Cathay First Class. Those food prices aren't worth it either. It's just easier to pre-eat before boarding.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Agreed! The food on the ground will always be fresher too

[@pastorofmuppets8834]

6:40 tells you a lot about a town that the biggest attraction in it is a hole in the ground

[@PaulStewartAviation]

You could drive over here in your Endura and check it out!

[@pastorofmuppets8834]

@@PaulStewartAviation that's bucket list level stuff there

[@PaulStewartAviation]

@@pastorofmuppets8834 I’ll even show you my favourite planespotting spot at the airport.

[@pastorofmuppets8834]

@@PaulStewartAviation I'm worried I'll have to join the me too movement if we go down that path

[@PaulStewartAviation]

@@pastorofmuppets8834 you certainly would!

[@PattieBoi]

Did you have an argument with the cabin crew about filming onboard? Or do only certain people do that? 👀☕🫖

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Nah I try to be subtle and as polite as possible so no trouble yet. ☺️