Virgin poised to drop Fiji, coughet and possibly NZ domestic ops

[UnVoyage]

I was reading in Travel Today (yesterday) that Virgin Blue may drop flights to Fiji, coughet, and cancel its NZ domestic ops, in an attempt to build profitability (and to focus on capturing business traffic from QF).

I would be interested in hearing from AFF members on here as to whether this is more indicative of deeper issues within the DJ group of airlines, or a genuine push to be more 'QF' in structure, hence move away completely from the low-cost model?

Your thoughts/opinions appreciated.

 

[markis10]

Sounds like common sense, are you sure it was traveltoday or travel lastweek, not a good source if they are two days behind nonews who published this Tuesday

 

[harvyk]

I think it is a genuine attempt to go directly after QF's business market, we may soon see a second full service carrier in AU yet.

DJ are trying to distance themselves from the LCC market as much as possible. This is because the corp $$$ is worth way more than the $19 fares...

 

[Flying Fox]

DJ are trying to distance themselves from the LCC market as much as possible. This is because the corp $$$ is worth way more than the $19 fares...

I thought at one stage they were considering configuring their aircraft as full service at the front and LCC at the back. This would allow them to cater for both types of travellers using one aircraft.

 

[notzac]

I thought at one stage they were considering configuring their aircraft as full service at the front and LCC at the back. This would allow them to cater for both types of travellers using one aircraft.

I remember reading that one too - and I still think it's a bad idea that hopefully doesn't get implemented. Do one thing and do it properly!

 

[NM]

Please note that Virgin Blue (or indeed Virgin Anything) has never operated services to Fiji, coughet or New Zealand. Virgin Blue only operates Australian domestic flights. New Zealand operations are through Pacific Blue, coughet flights operated by V Australia and Pacific Blue (from Perth) and Fiji flights by Pacific Blue. Polynesian Blue operates flights to Samoa (Apia).

This, of course, does not affect the underlying discussion.

 

[dajop]

Inn The Age it suggests the NAN & HKT routes will be dropped in "favour of boosting US services ..and the recently launched South African operation".

Not surprising really, NAN is a fleet utilisation destination (why not just add a tag to/from PER to existing LAX services?) and surely to be a serious competitor to/from JNB more than 2xweekly service is required up against the 5-7 x weekly SA & QF services.

 

[yohy?!]

I heard from within Pacific Blue previously that it's been in the pipeline for sometime for them to take back the NAN sectors from V Australia

 

[harvyk]

I thought at one stage they were considering configuring their aircraft as full service at the front and LCC at the back. This would allow them to cater for both types of travellers using one aircraft.

I doubt they will do this long term... It may be an interim measure, but the problem is mud sticks to whatever the lowest common denominator is.

Take QF for example, when the average person thinks of QF they think of the Y seats. We all know that QF also have Y+ / J / F, but the experience of the vast majority of QF's pax is Y, and thus that is the class which defines QF's market. (With aspirations of sitting in higher class seats)

By leaving back of plane a LCC, DJ will never be able to shake the LCC image. If they are serious about becoming a full service airline it will need to be whole hog. Right now they have a hybrid airline which no one knows what it actually is... It can't really compete with the ULCC's like TT, and yet it's not oerceived by the market as operating on the same level as QF. It's found itself in a no man's land, which it will be forced out of one way or another (intentionally due to management or unintentionally by customers)...

As for naming's, well Virgin Australia does have a nice ring to it, but I see V Australia becoming the one brand thanks to SQ's ownership (and conditions of use) of the Virgin name.

 

[UP4014]

I doubt they will do this long term... It may be an interim measure, but the problem is mud sticks to whatever the lowest common denominator is.

By leaving back of plane a LCC, DJ will never be able to shake the LCC image. If they are serious about becoming a full service airline it will need to be whole hog. Right now they have a hybrid airline which no one knows what it actually is... It can't really compete with the ULCC's like TT, and yet it's not oerceived by the market as operating on the same level as QF. It's found itself in a no man's land, which it will be forced out of one way or another (intentionally due to management or unintentionally by customers)...

Yes indeed, I don't book Virgin because I can't be bothered to work out if I get a meal/entertainment/bag included or have to pay for it.

I'd rather go with QF, a known (and in my opinion better) product and in reality virtually no price difference for the shorter economy runs.

Matt

 

[Flying Fox]

Yes indeed, I don't book Virgin because I can't be bothered to work out if I get a meal/entertainment/bag included or have to pay for it.

I'd rather go with QF, a known (and in my opinion better) product and in reality virtually no price difference for the shorter economy runs.

I feel the same way and am happy to pay a bit extra. I don't want to pay for items once on-board the aircraft. Thankfully my company policy is QF. Plus I get my QF points & SC where as I don't have a VB membership.

 

[markis10]

It will be interesting to see how things go over the ditch, not surprised if DJ pull out and leave it to Air NZ, who will get more competition shortly with JQi have in two A330's based in AKL for INT ops.