Virgin Australia cuts down on annoying in-flight announcements

Virgin Australia's meditation flight. Photo / Supplied

If you prefer it when your captain is not speaking, you might be interested in Virgin Australia's latest tweak to its service.

After its seventh annual loss in a row, the cash-strapped airline is experimenting with a number of low-cost changes.

New chief experience officer Danielle Keighery told The Australian that one cost nothing at all.

"One of the things we've uncovered in some of the research we've been doing is people get sick of hearing or being disturbed by too many announcements in flight," Keighery said.

"So we've actually cut down on those announcements, making sure we still cover the safety perspective but reducing the number of times we interrupt people. They're the sort of things you can do that don't actually cost more money but provide a better experience for our customers."

One frequent, trans-Tasman flyer, Huawei Australia comms boss welcomed the initiative, tweeting to the Herald, "Absolutely! Just get me to the destination and leave me in peace! Nothing more annoying than having the in-flight entertainment interrupted by Chief Steward droning on about "what a pleasure it is to have you on board" etc!"

Virgin's new approach is in stark constrast to the announcement-happy Air New Zealand.

Auckland man Matthew Hooton tweeted, "Air NZ is definitely one of the worst for this, including inane jokes to show how relaxed and Kiwi it is."

Another posted, "Let's hope Air NZ follows suit!"

But Drew Broadly said he liked out national carrier's approach, tweeting, "As someone who has a great of flying, their announcements often explain when to expect bumps, how the landing and take off will be. It's been a godsend to have these and improve my confidence when flying."

Virgin Australia also recently introduced a "nervous flyers club" - with member's anxiety noted on their boarding passes - plus a new policy allowing parents of babies to carry on one extra bag.

The airline also recently staged its first "meditation" flight, in partnership with Australian wellbeing and mindfulness meditation leader Smiling Mind, including hot towels and hand massages.

The service tweaks come as the airline takes much more drastic action in a bid to reverse its fortunes.