Tokyo Haneda slot - how will Virgin Operate it?

[justinbrett]

The creative accounting already exists and has for ages as it dates back to when Virgin Australia was majority owned by International airlines.

The costs of leasing a 737 are a fair amount cheaper than leasing a 777. Back when they had widebodies foreign ownership of the whole group was closer to 50%. (This increased later by separateing the international and domestic businesses) Now it’s closer to 98%.

Plus you kind of give the same away with a big QR logo on the tail. Simply put you need more Australian investment to expand the international business, otherwise it won’t be classed as an Australian international airline.

 

[HS-TQE]

The costs of leasing a 737 are a fair amount cheaper than leasing a 777. Back when they had widebodies foreign ownership of the whole group was closer to 50%. (This increased later by separateing the international and domestic businesses) Now it’s closer to 98%.

Plus you kind of give the same away with a big QR logo on the tail.

Back then the 777s at VA were mortgaged and they were added to the mortgage bill (4 of the 5 VA 777s were originally bought outright under Virgin Blue with Godfrey as CEO before the Borghetti/Hogan/SQ era owners eventually 'mortgaged/asset stripped' them, along with selling the old Bowen Hills HQ and leasing back) for cash.

 

[Bagpuss]

The costs of leasing a 737 are a fair amount cheaper than leasing a 777. Back when they had widebodies foreign ownership of the whole group was closer to 50%. (This increased later by separateing the international and domestic businesses) Now it’s closer to 98%.

Plus you kind of give the same away with a big QR logo on the tail.

it was actually closer to 90%

As I said in a previous comment, you'd paint it back to VA colours. QR's interests would be part owning VA and using VA metal. That was the previous strategy with multiple airlines owning VA. Though being owned by one airline makes better sense. (The Virgin aspect is Virgin Group.)

 

[HS-TQE]

it was actually closer to 90%

As I said in a previous comment, you'd paint it back to VA colours. QR's interests would be part owning VA and using VA metal. That was the previous strategy with multiple airlines owning VA. Though being owned by one airline makes better sense. (The Virgin aspect is Virgin Group.)

The 90% foreign owned part was Virgin Australia Holdings (VAH). VAi (a 49% owned subsidiary of VAH) is required to be 51% Australian "owned" to keep international flying rights.

 

[justinbrett]

it was actually closer to 90%

As I said in a previous comment, you'd paint it back to VA colours. QR's interests would be part owning VA and using VA metal. That was the previous strategy with multiple airlines owning VA. Though being owned by one airline makes better sense. (The Virgin aspect is Virgin Group.)

The entire group was less than 50% foreign owned when VAIH was formed in 2012. Since then the domestic arm had higher levels of foreign ownership.

I’m sure you know this is a pipe dream and continuing this for entertainment purposes, which is fine, but there’s so many reasons why this couldn’t happen.

QR could even be blocked by the FIRB from taking any stake at all in VA.

 

[drron]

Reasonable numbers checking in tonight with quite a few Japanese pax.




Anyone on candid camera here?

 

[henrus]

Reasonable numbers checking in tonight with quite a few Japanese pax.

Top photo, there are three queues maybe even four?

From top to bottom, First queue is clearly the VA priorty queue and then there are other, my markings in red of the barriers and queue direction in blue?

Is there regular economy and online check in, or a codeshare queue?

 

[twinaisle]

It's full to CNS

 

[drron]

Well there is the priority queue at the top, then a second queue before the economy queue. My photo doesn’t show all the economy queue. We had just had dinner so didn’t get to see the signs apart from the obvious priority one.
We were looking down on the check in desks and disappeared into the Royal Park hotel after coming down the escalator.

 

[henrus]

Well there is the priority queue at the top, then a second queue before the economy queue. My photo doesn’t show all the economy queue. We had just had dinner so didn’t get to see the signs apart from the obvious priority one.

Hmm interesting, clearly is still 3 or more queues, perhaps VA has reintroduced online check in and that is what that middle queue is?

EF shows 7/8 seats selected in J and 93/174 in Y (174 is normal Y but 3 are blocked for crew use it seems?)

 

[elanshin]

Reasonable numbers checking in tonight with quite a few Japanese pax.
View attachment 367346

View attachment 367347

Anyone on candid camera here?

Hmm i wonder if this is the peak holiday return period.

I guess ill go gawk at the line a bit mid February before finding my way into JL lounge.

 

[Harrison_133]

EF shows 7/8 seats selected in J and 93/174 in Y (174 is normal Y but 3 are blocked for crew use it seems?)

The MAXs still have 168 in Y.

 

[justinbrett]

Last weekend of school holidays, of course it’s full. I imagine just about every flight is.

 

[Quickstatus]

So far has any VA77/78? flights operated without all of the passenger included luggage?

 

[encryptededdy]

So far has any VA77/78? flights operated without all of the passenger included luggage?

I think it's been fine since they switched to the MAX

 

[Quickstatus]

I think it's been fine since they switched to the MAX

Thanks.
Has anyone managed to get additional luggage on board - paid at airport check in?

I note prepurchase not allowed

 

[Harrison_133]

The IASC has renewed Virgin's allocation of one daily Haneda slot for a period of five years starting 28 October 2024.

Japan - 15 January 2024

The International Air Services Commission (the Commission) has received an application

www.iasc.gov.au

 

[HS-TQE]

World's current 'longest' 737-8 MAX routes.

VA's CNS-HND comes in at Number 6. Most of the Top 5 longest routes are either on LCCs or Value Carriers as well, all largely with either all-Y with Y+ (extra legroom), or a recliner J cabin.

The World's Longest Boeing 737 MAX Routes

The ten longest routes are flown by MAX 8s.

simpleflying.com

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Thanks.
Has anyone managed to get additional luggage on board - paid at airport check in?

I note prepurchase not allowed
View attachment 368093

They probably need the extra weigh for the extra fuel.

 

[Quickstatus]

They probably need the extra weigh for the extra fuel.

Yes, hence the question, has anyone managed to get excess luggage onboarded