VA - It's all coming together quite nicely

[antycbr]

After a fairly significant day in the life of the new VA, I think it's all coming together quite nicely. Compared to where we were 1-2 years ago, we now have:

• While this has been around for a while - a genuinely engaged and outstanding social media team at Virgin Australia - who help members with problems and actually listen to feedback from customers.
  
• Top tier partners for connectivity to NZ, Asia, Europe (single stop for a stack of destinations - in your face QF!), North America covered by three airlines including the pick of the bunch for major cities - VX
  
• A new benchmark lounge offering (MEL) with the other lounges to follow and an expansion of the number of lounges in the network (Gold Coast, Mackay and others to follow)
  
• Business class at a competitive price and a reasonably high quality offering, and standardisation of the PE offering until the upgrades are complete
  
• A single brand across all group airlines, even though theres's a stack of painting to be done yet. I think people underestimate this - Virgin Australia is focussed on Virgin Australia - not having all the issues of two competing and conflicting brands (QF/JQ).
  
• What looks like genuine priority boarding (a la AA)
  
• Decent tier earn ratios for status (400 SC for Gold Retain) and a network of partner lounge access (130 lounges before SQ partnership and NZ partnership lounges are even loaded)
  
• Decent-ish credit card options for those aligned with VA (Virgin Flyer - despite complex 2-4-1 rules, and the Platinum Edge) and a generally less prescriptive policy for direct sweep plus lower annual fees than the QF equivalent
  
• Simplified fare offerings - Saver, Flexi (at a reasonable price) and Business/Premium - and included catering for the top two. I'm finding Flexi good value for money
  
• Premium entry in SYD, Priority Screening in MEL, prospective improvements in BNE
  
• New uniforms - the crew are no longer dressed by Australia Zoo - while it mightn't seem like much I was flying a lot immediately around the new uniform launch and it really seemed to lift the morale of the crew immensely and their professionalism.

There's more in the works as we know (Points upgrades to J, ATRs, Platinum, IFE) and things we can only speculate about.

If there's some wishlist things that I'd like to see, they are:

• Priority Luggage - yes I know this is a major confusion point on QF but if you do it well it's a real win and removes the last pain point if you're a gold - everything else works pretty smoothly
  
• One single reservation system (Amadeus I'm guessing) which will support mixed itineraries on VA and partners, and allow online booking of partner itineraries
  
• Fixes to Velocity to address cancellation penalties for partner rewards and allow one way and mixed class of service bookings
  
• A significant rewrite to the website to include points calculators and a general streamlining of the content, particularly around the Velocity Rewards site - try finding the T&C half the time, and inconsistent and out of date information
  
• Some more partners - Coles Group speculated endlessly, but a general broadening of hotel partners as well would be good
  
• Improved missing points handling - this is generally pretty hopeless and there's enough horror stories around on the site which show that there's a problem. I work in IT and I think you should be able to see each of your "cases" as part of your Velocity membership, so you can have a reference number and track your missing points claim as it progresses.
  
• On time performance - I've been stung a few times by OTP - so anything you can do to fix it would be much appreciated.

On the whole, look how far things have come in 18 months. John Borghetti must love playing chess against Alan Joyce - the contrast in John announcing the SQ partnership and Alan saying that there'll be increased fuel surcharges and no investment in QF International... I made the switch 8 months ago and have no regrets whatsoever.

 

[JB007]

While its good that there is a very large and significant lounge network for Velocity Gold's, it is still a little annoying that those of us who have purchased a Lounge membership can't get access to any international lounges or even any lounges when flying V Australia.

I understand that there are cost differences in lounge membership packages but it would be good to know if this is on the "to be released" list.

I am also looking forward to hearing more about the Delta tie up, but I understand there is a little on the plate at the moment

 

[JB007]

While its good that there is a very large and significant lounge network for Velocity Gold's, it is still a little annoying that those of us who have purchased a Lounge membership can't get access to any international lounges or even any lounges when flying V Australia.

I understand that there are cost differences in lounge membership packages but it would be good to know if this is on the "to be released" list.

I am also looking forward to hearing more about the Delta tie up, but I understand there is a little on the plate at the moment

Both these points may have been rendered solved by another post I just saw regarding Virgin Australia Club Members

Does this name then mean we can expect to see a Clubhouse in Syd International soon?

 

[Virgin Australia]

After a fairly significant day in the life of the new VA, I think it's all coming together quite nicely. Compared to where we were 1-2 years ago, we now have:

• While this has been around for a while - a genuinely engaged and outstanding social media team at Virgin Australia - who help members with problems and actually listen to feedback from customers.

Thank you, that means alot to hear this!.

If there's some wishlist things that I'd like to see, they are:

• Priority Luggage - yes I know this is a major confusion point on QF but if you do it well it's a real win and removes the last pain point if you're a gold - everything else works pretty smoothly

This actually exists though currently only for our Business Class Guests flying on our A330 Coast To Coast service. More information regarding a rollout in due course!

On the whole, look how far things have come in 18 months. John Borghetti must love playing chess against Alan Joyce - the contrast in John announcing the SQ partnership and Alan saying that there'll be increased fuel surcharges and no investment in QF International... I made the switch 8 months ago and have no regrets whatsoever.

We certainly appreciate those of you who, like yourself, backed our vision and jumped on board!

 

[notzac]

• Priority Luggage - yes I know this is a major confusion point on QF but if you do it well it's a real win and removes the last pain point if you're a gold - everything else works pretty smoothly
  
• One single reservation system (Amadeus I'm guessing) which will support mixed itineraries on VA and partners, and allow online booking of partner itineraries
  
• Fixes to Velocity to address cancellation penalties for partner rewards and allow one way and mixed class of service bookings
  
• A significant rewrite to the website to include points calculators and a general streamlining of the content, particularly around the Velocity Rewards site - try finding the T&C half the time, and inconsistent and out of date information

YES. All of these things, and preferably yesterday!

But seriously, thanks to all the people responsible for making the changes to the airline on what seem like an almost daily basis -- as a customer I'm so very pleased with the way Virgin Australia look after me and continue to improve things for me! Going to the dark side a year ago was definitely the right move to make..

One question that's been asked and not answered as yet .. we know that the branding is being changed such that by the start of next year, there will only be one airline name .. <airline-nerd-moment>but what about one IATA code? And what will that code be?</airline-nerd-moment>

 

[antycbr]

One question that's been asked and not answered as yet .. we know that the branding is being changed such that by the start of next year, there will only be one airline name .. <airline-nerd-moment>but what about one IATA code? And what will that code be?</airline-nerd-moment>

Surely it'll be VA - they actually got the right IATA code for the airline now, so they'd be silly to use something else.

<serious-airline-nerd-moment>I wonder what the ICAO code will be? will it remain VOZ or VAU?</serious-airline-nerd-moment>

 

[harvyk]

The thing I'm curious about is if VA will bring in comp meals in Y? There are still a few of us that like to get the meal around dinner time (even on short flights) and IMHO a buy-on-board service cheapens the brand... (One of the reasons I'll never consider AA a premium brand) Esp for us business flyers who end up flying Y...

 

[antycbr]

The thing I'm curious about is if VA will bring in comp meals in Y? There are still a few of us that like to get the meal around dinner time (even on short flights) and IMHO a buy-on-board service cheapens the brand... (One of the reasons I'll never consider AA a premium brand) Esp for us business flyers who end up flying Y...

They already have that - Flexi and Premium Fares include catering. This is a smart move by VA - it means that in the one aircraft, they can compete at the lower end (Saver Fares) against JQ/TT who don't do included catering; and at the higher end they can compete against QF with Flexi fares which are designed for business and include catering.

 

[The Rok]

I would like to see more 777’s or A330’s on international routes. Particularly out of Perth. Not everything has to go out of MEL or SYD.

So far soo good on the rebrand/relaunch though, keep up the good work guys…

 

[markis10]

This actually exists though currently only for our Business Class Guests flying on our A330 Coast To Coast service. More information regarding a rollout in due course!

And your Flying Club Gold Guests get them too according to VA!

 

[harvyk]

They already have that - Flexi and Premium Fares include catering. This is a smart move by VA - it means that in the one aircraft, they can compete at the lower end (Saver Fares) against JQ/TT who don't do included catering; and at the higher end they can compete against QF with Flexi fares which are designed for business and include catering.

I'll sort of stand corrected... Just looking at some dummy bookings I do notice that the VA Flexi fares are a fair bit more than the cheapest QF fare, where as on-board inclusions are the same... (If you can forgo the food and checked bags I did notice saver fares are much cheaper again)

Everything said, this is certainly a good direction VA is taking. A second full service airline is something we needed...

 

[codash1099]

I would like to see more 777’s or A330’s on international routes. Particularly out of Perth. Not everything has to go out of MEL or SYD.

So far soo good on the rebrand/relaunch though, keep up the good work guys…

I'll second that!

I've now taken the first "dip of the toe in the water" and joined Velocity. Beware, QF - that's the first step. Wide bodies out of PER would hasten the move.

 

[Misha]

I'll second that!... Wide bodies out of PER would hasten the move.

they have - in fact it's only ex-PER that the wide bodies dept??

okay - just had light-bulb moment - maybe you mean direct to MEL or BNE, etc

 

[The Rok]

Well I cannot speak for codash1099 but I was referring to operating wide body craft our of Perth INTERNATIONALLY.

 

[Misha]

Well I cannot speak for codash1099 but I was referring to operating wide body craft our of Perth INTERNATIONALLY.

so it was a 40 watt bulb

now i understand

 

[ReLoad]

I must agree with the OP, Nice work VA, all great stuff and your well on the way to giving us genuine choice!

But one thing still remains; The rock hard seats in whY. oh my goodness, did you source them from a former soviet republic concrete company?

I'm only a MEL/SYD/MEL commuter but they give me a numb bum, I would hate the longer journeys. I know the 767's on QF have had more take off's and landings than I've had hot dinners but they are a comfy plane in comparison.

So looking forward to checking out the new offering.

 

[The Rok]

If VA REALLY want to impress me they could replicate the VS Clubhouse at LHR somewhere in AU, maybe SYD as a joint venture with VA/VS & EY?

 

[Nigelinoz]

If VA REALLY want to impress me they could replicate the VS Clubhouse at LHR somewhere in AU, maybe SYD as a joint venture with VA/VS & EY?

VS have already flagged this as a possibility.
Sydney Airport to get Virgin Clubhouse lounge? - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller
Cheers
N.oz

 

[sydstar]

Agree completely with the thread. In fact, I'm very close to switching my earning from QF to VA, based on recent NZ and SQ announcements. Most of my travel is domestic and T/T as well as south Asia and South Pacific.

I'm seriously considering switching my credit card earn and HHonors preferences. Also if Coles (and more importantly Coles/Shell) come on board then I would be very tempted, so long as status can be accrued on the likes of NZ, SQ, DL etc

The only downside for me is lack of lounge membership locations - nothing internationally?? As a student, Gold is just out of reach for me, but Silver isn't - yet lounge membership doesn't seem to offer much still

 

[The Rok]

VS have already flagged this as a possibility.
Sydney Airport to get Virgin Clubhouse lounge? - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller
Cheers
N.oz

I like it.....