Standards ,conditions,price----its up to what people want.
Everyone is fooled by Virgins cheap prices,but unless you a very lucky person at the right time theres not much difference.
Inconvenience was my biggest concern.As Virgin grow it may be better ,but from perth to cairns a while ago you had stops here and there(far enough),but many hours wait or not arriving until midnight and leaving 6+ hours later.Its a bit like driving over town when petrol is 2 cents cheaper.
To plan ahead for a holiday or travel isnt much difference---in Nov ,Perth Brisbane return is $40 cheaper on Virgin.
For me i hit Perth on Qantas airlink,so im not going to stuff around getting bags and going next door ,plus probably wait umpteen hours ,when i can just go and have a Crowny in the Qantas lounge.
But to be fair ,Virgin has got a lot of people flying especially those on no time frame and can pull an el-cheapo fare to go and visit the relies etc.
But the competition keeps it cheaper hopefully.
No more cheap fares in NW WA since Ansett went kaput