Now You're Flying Virgin Australia

[lovestotravel]

Reading

Virgin Australia > News and Press Releases

No mention of IFE for the 737's

The A330's have "Seatback multi-channel in-flight entertainment with the latest movies"

No prices for business on 737's

So basically today was new paint and new name...........

Still quite boring, I was expecting (well actually not really) a full announcement of a FULL rollout of everything.

 

[lovestotravel]

Let me guess, you're disappointed?

No I was pretty much expecting another "small announcement" so no But yes its another disappointing announcement...

New name and paint.. Doesn't affect the on-board experience at all. What exactly does today change for a business/corporate customer??

 

[Ricardo]

Reading

So basically today was new paint and new name...........

Still quite boring, I was expecting (well actually not really) a full announcement of a FULL rollout of everything.

Agree very boring and nothing on the Air NZ code share and Koru/The Lounge program .........

 

[Virgin Australia]

Congrats to the Virgin Australia crew on a successful launch!

The livery looks fantastic. I appreciate the understated colour palette - it's makes the Virgin branding pop on the tail, and it's something that will stand the test of time. Was it created by an in-house design team, or did you outsource?

Thank you!
Hulsbosch Design created the livery - check out his video on our youtube page for some insights on the design!

 

[777]

No I was pretty much expecting another "small announcement" so no But yes its another disappointing announcement...

To avoid disappointment it's best to start with reasonable expectations.

New name and paint.. Doesn't affect the on-board experience at all. What exactly does today change for a business/corporate customer??

As i have repeatedly explained to you (or tried to) the whole point is that it is physically impossible to transform the entire product overnight. It inherently has to be done in stages -- although you seemingly wont acknowledge that.

You've now complained both that they have released changes as they've made them (menus, uniforms etc - they've already changed are available now), while you are seemingly complaining that they are announcing products that are not yet on sale (Business class) while simultaneously complaining that they are not yet announcing other things (IFE) that could not possibly be installed in the product in one go.

Again, i'm waiting for you to explain exactly how you would propose that they do this? What is the actual reasonable alternative?

 

[kamchatsky]

No I was pretty much expecting another "small announcement" so no But yes its another disappointing announcement...

New name and paint.. Doesn't affect the on-board experience at all. What exactly does today change for a business/corporate customer??

DJ/VA has made a series of announcements late last year up to now, from kerbside entry to lounge, new food menu, new uniforms, new name, new J, new codeshare/alliances, etc etc etc. I think with their resources and cash available, this is the best they can do, and at least keep the market updated and interested, not to mention continuing BAU.

I can see DJ/VA continue to make more announcements in small bits later this year.

I guess you prefer to just wait for 2 years later and they announce EVERYTHING in one hit?!

 

[yohy?!]

I think today's announcements were intended to generate some excitement and noise around the new brand.

Most people aren't frequent flyers and are probably unaware of the full project being rolled out at present.

Some probably have always thought of DJ as 'Virgin' and have only noticed from the whole relaunch project seeing Elle Macpherson dressed up as a sexy pilot standing next to flight attendants:!:

Now they have some flash looking new planes, new name and a kEwl commercial too

 

[Virgin Australia]

So basically today was new paint and new name...........

Still quite boring, I was expecting (well actually not really) a full announcement of a FULL rollout of everything.

You will recall that date of "prior to June 30"?
Obviously still more to come!

Also can i bring to everyone's attention this:



As part of our new A330 service from Sydney to Perth, we've developed a thorough walk through of the A330 aircraft and it's benefits to you, the business or economy traveller.

In a first for not only an Australian company, but a first for any airline in the world to utilise an interactive 360 degree video to showcase the inner aircraft cabin.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions!

 

[yohy?!]

I see the Asian Carrier tie-up is also due for announcement by end of year...

Plane Talking

SQ is being speculated as being 'the one' but ruled out by JB today - it would be a coup indeed if they pull off a tie-up that includes FF programs...a massive shot across QFF's bow....

 

[lovestotravel]

Again, i'm waiting for you to explain exactly how you would propose that they do this? What is the actual reasonable alternative?

Again, as I have said many times, announce the whole lot with a timeline for implementation!!!!!

As I have said again and again, it will take a period of time for the new product to be rolled out and that is totally fine, but just announce the whole lot.

I know the deadline is by June 30, and by that time they WILL announce the whole lot, but it will not be up and running until say the start of 2011.

I guess I was expecting everything to be announced today :evil: with a time frame for implementation

 

[stuartfaz]

I think this has been a pretty successful day for VAA all round. They've delivered something pretty special and got a lot of positive media.

I was really, really impressed until I saw one thing on the livery that has near-ruined the entire thing for me.

I understand the minimalist design, but I think it's awful that VAA haven't coloured in the nation's flag. Doesn't show a national symbol the respect it deserves, and flies in the face of the 'Australia' branding.

Maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing, but I sincerely hope Virgin Australia rectify this before rolling out the livery further.

 

[AaronBradford]

Again, as I have said many times, announce the whole lot with a timeline for implementation!!!!!

As I have said again and again, it will take a period of time for the new product to be rolled out and that is totally fine, but just announce the whole lot.

I know the deadline is by June 30, and by that time they WILL announce the whole lot, but it will not be up and running until say the start of 2011.

I guess I was expecting everything to be announced today :evil: with a time frame for implementation

They may not have settled on exact details yet, and setting an exact timeline is dangerous. What if a situation changes and things have to be pushed back? It can damage the brand.

Like the building of my balcony, for example. I was supposed to only have a partition in for two or three months at most ... here we are six months later with it still in. I'm starting to suspect Boeing are building my balcony.

 

[777]

Again, as I have said many times, announce the whole lot with a timeline for implementation!!!!!

As I have said again and again, it will take a period of time for the new product to be rolled out and that is totally fine, but just announce the whole lot.

I think you're operating from the flawed assumption that that's possible to do. It almost certainly isn't as various aspect of the final product are not finalised or still being resolved. Some are subject to commercial negotiations that are likely to be ongoing (eg. sites and contracts for new lounges and new IFE systems), some involved partners that have their own implementation to do before they can announce details (the NZ partnership for example or a tie up with FlyBuys), some may be subject to regulatory barriers (in flight wifi if they were to offer it for example).

There's just a few examples where it would be highly problematic to announce until i's are dotted and t's are crossed.

More importantly it would be stupid to promote a product that does not exist and may not exist for some time because: 1. it will p!ss off a lot of people who want to book it (i reckon there'd 10 of them for every 1 of you who just needs to know even though you can't) and 2. it will telegraph their plans to their competitors and give them time to react which would be commercial suicide.

I'm not asking you to explain what you want to see happen in fantasyland i'm asking you could actually do it better to do it in the real world.

 

[Ansettaddict123]

...here we are six months later with it still in. I'm starting to suspect Boeing are building my balcony.

hahahahahahahahahaa

 

[Misha]

I think we need to create a thread just for 777 and lovestotravel - or at least get them a room

Then most threads would only be 1 page long or so! hehehe

 

[777]

I think we need to create a thread just for 777 and lovestotravel - or at least get them a room

You'd have to get us the room. Could you imagine us trying to reach agreement about which room to get?

Sorry, can't help myself.

 

[Misha]

You'd have to get us the room. Could you imagine us trying to reach agreement about which room to get?

Sorry, can't help myself.

I love your work! LMAO!!!


Which hotel? Smoking or non? North or South facing?

Who gets what side of the bed?! hahahahaha

At least we know it would be a passionate coupling...

If we ever arrange an AFF group flight - I call dibs to NOT sit in the middle of you two


Back on topic: I have noticed other dates where A330s flying between Sydney and Melbourne... and very cheaply too. Early June has another one (sat Mel - Syd) - this might be an opportunity for those who miss it in May to try the new on-board service, with the new livery on new aircraft without forking out transcontinental fares?

Just a thought...

 

[AaronBradford]

Are you still flying on the 28th Misha? If so, what direction?

Posted from my BlackBerry

 

[Virgin Australia]

You'd have to get us the room. Could you imagine us trying to reach agreement about which room to get?

You realise we do hotel package deals too right?

 

[milehighclub]

There's just a few examples where it would be highly problematic to announce until i's are dotted and t's are crossed.

More importantly it would be stupid to promote a product that does not exist and may not exist for some time because: 1. it will p!ss off a lot of people who want to book it (i reckon there'd 10 of them for every 1 of you who just needs to know

Well they are advertising the A330 which hasn't actually been signed off yet and all over the Virgin Australia site it says:
"Important Information: Please note that flights on Airbus A330 aircraft are subject to regulatory approval."

So it seems they can announce things, if they want too, even when a product hasn't been delivered (A330 for example which we have known about for sometime)

Although on the whole I agree with you as well (to avoid disappointment), to say they are waiting for everything to be finalised is not true.