Traveltalk’s JON UNDERWOOD takes his first flight with Australia’s new low-cost carrier and asks whether they have a future in the skies.
I’ve BEEN offered many things onboard an aircraft. Pyjamas, slippers and all manner of bathroom amenities.
But I’ve never been given the option of budgie smugglers…
Welcome to the wacky world of Bonza, Australia’s latest low-cost carrier. My wife and I were invited aboard the airline’s debut flight from Newcastle to the Whitsunday’s, one of 27 routes to 17 destinations the carrier is planning.
Check-in was a breeze, thanks largely to the FlyBonza app, through which bookings, boarding passes, the onboard menu and entertainment are all accessible.
Being a debut route there were several formalities to get through before take-off. Once the celebratory cake was cut, we were invited to board ‘Shazza’ – one of Bonza’s quirkily-named aircraft.
The first thing you’ll notice is the crew, who are dressed more like fitness instructors than traditional cabin staff. Trendy white T-shirts and natty neckerchiefs paired with casual black trousers and white sneakers – uber cool.
Virginia – one of Bonza’s onboard ‘Legends’ – used to work for a major Aussie airline for more than 20 years and told me that she loves the gender-neutral comfort and freedom the uniform affords. No stockings and high heels here. Even the pilot introduced himself as “Captain Nick”.
The second thing you’ll notice is that the plane is very…purple! Purple head rests, purple safety instruction card, purple advertising stickers. Barney the dinosaur would love this airline.
Colour scheme notwithstanding, Shazza had that lovely new plane smell you’d expect from a Max 737-8 with so few kilometres on the clock.
Power points and USB charging ports were well placed and my laptop actually fitted on the drop-down table without slicing my abdomen in half. Overhead bins were extremely spacious.We were lucky to have a spare aisle seat next to us so I hopped out of 5E as soon as the main door was closed. Bonza has four categories among its 186 seats: Stretch Plus, Stretch, Prime and Pick.
Our seats were in Prime, which offered the standard 73cm pitch. My seat was comfortable but I did think the arm rests were a tad on the skinny side. I also had a slight design issue with the seat pocket, which didn’t have sides or a firm base, meaning items could slip through.
Once in the air it was time to try and order food and drink via the app. Again, this was a quick and easy process, made even more enjoyable knowing that all products aboard Bonza are Australian made.
Soon I was supping a Ballistic Reef Lager ($9) while my wife enjoyed a Sirromet Pinot Grigio ($10). Cheese and sourdough crackers completed our Shazza snack.
A little over two hours later we were landing at Proserpine and my Bonza experience came to an end with a welcoming glass of prosecco – purple, of course.
My main takeaway from the flight was that low cost doesn’t have to mean low quality or low expectations. I would gladly fly Shazza or Bazza or whatever else they come up with in the future.
Bonza’s catchphrase is that they are ‘Here for Allstralia’. For the sake of competition and affordability for travellers, it must be hoped that all Australia repays the favour.
flybonza.com
