Virgin Australia has announced the rollout of Journey Tracker, a new feature in its app designed to provide real-time flight updates and boarding pass access from a passenger’s lock screen. The tool, available to passengers travelling on the airline’s domestic network, is the first of its kind in Australia.
Launching today, Journey Tracker comes just in time as the airline prepares for a record-breaking summer, with up to 3,000 flights scheduled weekly to meet increased demand across its domestic and short-haul international networks.
Journey Tracker: Real-time updates for travellers
Virgin Australia’s Journey Tracker aims to streamline the travel experience, offering passengers essential updates without the need to search through emails or apps.
From three hours before departure, travellers can access real-time notifications on gate changes, delays, and boarding times directly from their lock screens. Boarding passes are also just a tap away, simplifying bag drops, lounge entry, and boarding processes.
“Journey Tracker is about making travel as simple and predictable as possible,” Virgin Australia General Manager DigitalAlex Plummer said.
“With live updates and boarding pass access from the lock screen, Guests can focus on enjoying their journey rather than worrying about logistics.”
The feature is set to seamlessly integrate with the Virgin Australia app and is available for iOS (16 and above) and Android (8 and above) users. Passengers simply need to open the latest version of the app within three hours of their flight to activate the tool. Logged-in Velocity members will find their trips automatically appear in the app, ensuring a smooth experience from start to finish.
A record-breaking summer
As Virgin Australia rolls out Journey Tracker, the airline is also preparing for its busiest summer yet. With nearly half a million seats available each week in December and January, the schedule represents a 3% increase in domestic capacity compared to the same period last year and a 5% increase compared to pre-COVID levels.
Additional flights have been added to popular destinations, including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Hamilton Island, and Byron Bay. International routes to Bali, Fiji, and Queenstown are also expected to see strong demand.
The busiest travel days are forecast for December 20, 22, and 27, as passengers either set off for holidays or return home. This follows two months of record-breaking passenger numbers, with nearly four million travellers flying across Virgin Australia’s network in October and November.
Operational preparations
To manage this significant surge in passenger numbers, Virgin Australia has made operational adjustments to enhance reliability and minimise disruption. These include:
- Additional staff: Over 265 new team members have been recruited, including guest services and pit crew staff.
- Spare aircraft: Two additional Boeing 737-800s will be available during the peak season to assist in managing unexpected disruptions.
- Ground services upgrades: New equipment, such as tugs, belt loaders, and passenger vans, has been introduced to streamline operations.
- Guest ambassadors: Corporate staff will return to airports to assist with queue management and offer directional support, freeing up operational staff to focus on critical duties.
Virgin Australia’s efforts to ensure operational resilience have already shown results, with a 98.3% flight completion rate recorded in November.
Festive perks and travel tips
For those travelling during the holiday season, Virgin Australia has also introduced festive touches. Business Class passengers can enjoy a holiday menu featuring roast turkey, cranberry sauce, and fruit mince pies on December 25 and 26. Economy passengers will receive complimentary festive chocolates, while seasonal treats will also be available in Virgin Australia lounges.
To help travellers navigate the busy period, the airline recommends:
- Arriving early: Allow extra time for check-in and security, particularly on peak travel days.
- Using the Virgin Australia app: Keep an eye on flight updates and potential changes, especially during the summer storm season.
- Mind your carry-on limits: Ensure baggage meets the requirements to avoid delays and utilise the airline’s baggage tracking tool for peace of mind.
- Leave gifts unwrapped: Wrapped presents may need to be opened during security screening, so wait to wrap them until after travel.
Fast facts from 2024
- Top movies in the sky – Barbie, Wonka, and Meg 2.
- Most watched TV shows – The Big Bang Theory, and Bluey.
- Favourite snack – cheese and crackers.
- Top beverage – Coca-Cola.
