Virgin Bali expansion, next up CBR-DPS

[Mattg]

I can't see how anyone would be interested in transiting CBR unless it was for a VA status run given that domestic airfares into and out of CBR from anywhere are often sky-high anyway.

I don’t think booking a connection will help you earn Velocity status any more, unless the fare is higher (or you’re booking through VA Holidays)

 

[simmomelb]

Is it possible to connect with SQ947?

If yes, then it is game changer for the ACT.

I think you are giving VA far too much credit if you are suggesting they could codeshare with SQ from VA metal at DPS onto SQ947?
Layover-wise of ~1hr, yes, that would be perfect for those living in Canberra and wanting to continue flying through to Singapore

 

[LionKing]

I think you are giving VA far too much credit if you are suggesting they could codeshare with SQ from VA metal at DPS onto SQ947?
Layover-wise of ~1hr, yes, that would be perfect for those living in Canberra and wanting to continue flying through to Singapore

Why not?
If VA is only thinking about O&D traffic to DPS then I suggest someone please buy VA and sack the entire management for lack of vision.

 

[simmomelb]

Why not?
If VA is only thinking about O&D traffic to DPS then I suggest someone please buy VA and sack the entire management for lack of vision.

Oh, I am not disagreeing with you at all, I just don't think VA is capable of organising such a sensible solution for those living in Canberra wanting to transit through to Singapore at DPS.
Hopefully, I am wrong!

 

[LionKing]

Oh, I am not disagreeing with you at all, I just don't think VA is capable of organising such a sensible solution for those living in Canberra wanting to transit through to Singapore at DPS.
Hopefully, I am wrong!

Thank you. I am not disagreeing, was concerned that VA may not have that vision of Qantas which will cost them.

 

[RooFlyer]

Ex HBA, I have to choose my international departure port (except to AKL).

Overnight return from DPS still rules this out for me. Will continue on SQ Award via SIN.

 

[The-Aviator]

I expect this will do well. Virgin are far more popular with the local traveller than Batik ever was. The lounge will add to the appeal for those with status.

I am surprised QR persists with their CBR-MEL-DOH service when they don't have domestic carry rights. I feel it could make more sense as a VA flight under the wet lease arrangement, presumably as a VA flight they could then sell a few seats on the domestic leg and get some extra revenue? Maybe re-routing it through somewhere other than MEL as well.

 

[jase05]

When is Adl Bali coming back

Still annoyed that this route was pulled as it was our best way to get to Bali.

 

[Saab34]

I am surprised QR persists with their CBR-MEL-DOH service when they don't have domestic carry rights. I feel it could make more sense as a VA flight under the wet lease arrangement, presumably as a VA flight they could then sell a few seats on the domestic leg and get some extra revenue? Maybe re-routing it through somewhere other than MEL as well.

It’s all about getting past the bilateral limits and gaining an extra MEL frequency. The day they get additional bilaterals approved is the day the Canberra tag dies.

 

[The-Aviator]

It’s all about getting past the bilateral limits and gaining an extra MEL frequency. The day they get additional bilaterals approved is the day the Canberra tag dies.

I do get that the MEL frequency is their main attraction but even then, would have thought the wet lease opens that option for an additional VA flight ex-MEL and removal of Canberra.

 

[PERLHR]

Personally I am happy enough to revert to one world ops when at Bali and route Bali-Europe-Bali with one world on a cheaper biz fare. I would be grateful however with the added bonus of flying VA between PER and Bali and grabbing some status credit and points on that route as my "feeder" and even better if there were biz fares worthy. However as there is not even a flight from PER I'm in the clouds on this one! If I were in CBR however, yes I would definitely use the VA as a feeder if the price was right to then pick up a decent biz fare to Europe. My next return ex Bali after Europe will be with the delights of Air Asia ..,

 

[simmomelb]

I do get that the MEL frequency is their main attraction but even then, would have thought the wet lease opens that option for an additional VA flight ex-MEL and removal of Canberra.

VA would need to apply for another service out of Melbourne and QR remove one, if they did what you are suggesting (as the current one ex CBR is only approved as it departs CBR).
But yes, it could likely happen, but these things take a while to get approval for, and my guess is they don't want to rock the boat right now (keep Canberra happy).
Additionally, Virgin Australia is "testing" the wet leased services to see how successful they are, before (hopefully) turning the wet leased services into dry leased (if successful).

 

[SeaWolf]

But it didn't even work for SQ?

SQ was using a wide-body (Boeing 777) for it though. I wonder if it might be more practical with a 737-MAX? Going CBR-SIN is just within the advertised range of the -8 and those aircraft are well suited to the economies of "long and skinny" routes. Both VA and SQ have them and I could certainly see it being popular, feeding into SQ's Asia and Europe network, with much easier connections than the hassle of SYD or MEL.

I'm guessing though that for VA going to Bali was a far better option. Their codeshares on SQ have never really been competitive (SQ is setting the price of them) so feeding into SQ's network in Singapore probably wouldn't have been worthwhile. Operating to Bali though they'd be getting all of the revenue (not sharing with SQ on the connected flight) and they probably see this as a bigger leisure market that they're good at catering to. They're already set up at DPS airport as well.

 

[simmomelb]

SQ was using a wide-body (Boeing 777) for it though. I wonder if it might be more practical with a 737-MAX? Going CBR-SIN is just within the advertised range of the -8 and those aircraft are well suited to the economies of "long and skinny" routes. Both VA and SQ have them and I could certainly see it being popular, feeding into SQ's Asia and Europe network, with much easier connections than the hassle of SYD or MEL.

I don't think Qatar Airways or Virgin Australia would be too happy with feeding more traffic into Europe via Asia, given that is what Qatar Airways, it's 25% owner, is for.
Why jeopardise your own services, wet-leased (eventually dry leased) and QR direct?
To prove that point further, VA stopped selling cash flights to Europe on SQ since the Qatar deal started.

 

[RooFlyer]

I don't think Qatar Airways or Virgin Australia would be too happy with feeding more traffic into Europe via Asia, given that is what Qatar Airways, it's 25% owner, is for.
Why jeopardise your own services, wet-leased (eventually dry leased) and QR direct?
To prove that point further, VA stopped selling cash flights to Europe on SQ since the Qatar deal started.

IIRC ( and I may not!) QR operate 2 flights a day from Denpasar to Doha. They must be mainly Australian and New Zealand pax, surely? So the new VA flight just could add incrementally onto those, maybe.

I usually begin my revenue flights at an Asian port these days.

 

[simmomelb]

IIRC ( and I may not!) QR operate 2 flights a day from Denpasar to Doha. They must be mainly Australian and New Zealand pax, surely? So the new VA flight just could add incrementally onto those, maybe.

SeaWolf was referring to CBR to SIN.

"Going CBR-SIN is just within the advertised range of the -8 and those aircraft are well suited to the economies of "long and skinny" routes."

That wouldn't be easier (and it would be slower) than flying to MEL or SYD out of CBR.

Imagine a Max 8 to SIN (long flight in a 737), then on a wide body from there to DOH then to Europe, doesn't sound like a fun experience to me, and I did Cairns to Heneda on the Max :/

Bali is about the limit for comfort on a 737, and that's pushing it IMO.

But yes, you could do CBR to Europe via Bali on VA & QR once these flights start, that's a good point RooFlyer!
Would be a pain if you wanted J the whole way, however, given that there are only 8 seats in J on the 737.

 

[jase05]

They must be mainly Australian and New Zealand pax, surely?

Have done just the one DPS-DOH flight and it appeared to be full of locals
We generally don’t fly out of DPS but managed to get award seats

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Plenty of overpaid bogans employed in the APS with plenty of cash and leisure time who can fill this up. I suspect the route will overperform expectations.

 

[Saab34]

But connections from where is the question isn't it?

Virgin always seems to carry high connections around its network.

Last year on a delayed MEL-OOL we needed to wait while 30 people got off quickly to connect to the OOL-DPS flight.

DPS directs on Virgin can often get pricey especially in peak while connections are cheaper. Having a look next at the June School Hols, I can connect via Sydney for cheaper on many of the days. You get a huge number of connections when the holiday periods across states don’t align also, ie the directs from Melbourne might be full or priced out for many, but NSW is a week ahead or behind in holidays, so the Sydney connection is priced well and it fills up.

 

[PERLHR]

IIRC ( and I may not!) QR operate 2 flights a day from Denpasar to Doha. They must be mainly Australian and New Zealand pax, surely? So the new VA flight just could add incrementally onto those, maybe.

I usually begin my revenue flights at an Asian port these days.

Absolutely. I do also....and a lot of Brits also use this as routing to and from Australia.