Virgin sets its compass to Asia

[loobloke]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ssion/more-777s-heading-down-under-38311.html

Can't remember but I recall hearing those were for another carrier, relatively small one, African or South American I believe.

 

[markis10]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ssion/more-777s-heading-down-under-38311.html

Wonder and adamant are to different words

Can't remember but I recall hearing those were for another carrier, relatively small one, African or South American I believe.

Are you thinking TAAG, that's a different order, the unidentified customer is still unidentified, while PIAs order is MIA.

Orders through May 1, 2012	737	747	767	777	787	Total
2012 Net Orders	413		4	4	-6	415
Air Astana			4		3	7
Air New Zealand					2	2
China Eastern Airlines	45					45
Japan Airlines					10	10
Jet Airways	17					17
Lion Air	230					230
Norwegian	122					122
TAAG (Angola Airlines)				3		3
Transaero Airlines					4	4
Unidentified Customer(s)				3		3
Virgin Australia	1					1

 

[loobloke]

Ahh yes markis you do have an attention to detail!
I just remember thinking it was interesting that some small airline would have more 777s than VA, and both orders were for 3 and around the same time

 

[lovestotravel]

3 x 777's could be a top-up order for any number of airlines

 

[gwilli1]

Interesting tagging by VA on their Facebook page..

"We’ve partnered with the world’s finest airlines to offer you more international flights from Australia than any other network. You can earn and redeem Velocity Points and also earn Status Credits on flights with our partners, while eligible members can access over 150 lounges around the world. Now you’re flying. — in Shanghai, China."

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...62300891990.382014.94622926989&type=1&theater

Is Shanghai possibly the "mystery" next destination ???

 

[lovestotravel]

Hmm strange they would tag China for no reason....

 

[markis10]

Not a big surprise given VS fly to PVG.

 

[onezero]

But SQ fly there, if VA joined in there'd be a fair amount of cross cannibalisation taking place?

Perhaps - VA SYD-HKG to replace VS and VA SYD-SHA as new flight.... hmmm

 

[jaspon]

Interesting tagging by VA on their Facebook page..

"We’ve partnered with the world’s finest airlines to offer you more international flights from Australia than any other network. You can earn and redeem Velocity Points and also earn Status Credits on flights with our partners, while eligible members can access over 150 lounges around the world. Now you’re flying. — in Shanghai, China."

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...62300891990.382014.94622926989&type=1&theater

Is Shanghai possibly the "mystery" next destination ???

DJ also blogged about it a month ago, i think just promoting the codeshare with SQ
Shanghai

 

[Simo]

Lets hope this will make our bean counters reduce the price for fares to Asia as currently QF is always more expensive than DJ/VA alliance with Singapore/Ethid.

 

[JohnK]

Was bound to happen, this is exactly where the new A330s go to!

The 77W are too much for Asia
The A330 is perfect

I am thinking Japan/China....

Just thinking out loud but isn't that an awfully long flight on an A330 in economy?

 

[Justchecking]

Just thinking out loud but isn't that an awfully long flight on an A330 in economy?

Isn't 7hrs+ too long in Y period? Although let's not forget this is the airline that runs 737s on 6hr+ flights to DPS. Apparently that's just fine
so I'd imagine an A330 would be quite comfortable by comparison. More than 2 loos for 160+ pax would be a welcome relief I imagine. Doesn't the
A330 have 4-6 loos for Y?

 

[gwilli1]

No it does not go against what has been the plan since JB came on board if you are following the business close enough:

June 2010 Mr Borghetti told analysts from Macquarie Equities Research that he wanted to boost Virgin's share of the domestic corporate market from about 10 per cent to at least 15 per cent over the next 12 to 24 months. International carrier V Australia, which was losing money and was not likely to break even this year, was also under a network review, the analysts said.

Aug 2010 - Axes South Africa/Thailand and Fiji from VA ops.

May 2011 - Game change announced with re branding, immediate focus on partnership hookups, additional 777s on hold, review of international ops by Q2 2012

Q2 2012 - Announce plans for international expansion as per game change plan - phase 3

View attachment 7086

Given we are now only 3 weeks before the end of Q2 2012 , has anyone heard , or across any pending announcement re international expansion , in the next few weeks ?

 

[pangwen]

Sounds eerily quiet - I suspect that this has gone the way of the "lounge pass after every 100 status credits", with "members telling us that's not what they want".

 

[Noob]

Sounds eerily quiet - I suspect that this has gone the way of the "lounge pass after every 100 status credits", with "members telling us that's not what they want".

This thread is only member speculation, no actual company announcements or confirmed facts.

 

[markis10]

Might hear something around 13 July when various companies announce their orders for new aircraft!

 

[Fruitcake]

With EY/DJ planning joint lounges in SYD and MEL, they're either intending to operate the world's most underutilised lounges (only one flight a day out of MEL most days) or they're planning to ramp up services.

 

[tm.smile]

With EY/DJ planning joint lounges in SYD and MEL, they're either intending to operate the world's most underutilised lounges (only one flight a day out of MEL most days) or they're planning to ramp up services.

Not exactly true. What about the double flights to Abu Dhabi and any flights to Denpasar or across to NZ or Pacific islands. Would also provide an option for those on EY/DJ code shares. I'd say the lounge would be pretty well utilised.

 

[Fruitcake]

Not exactly true. What about the double flights to Abu Dhabi and any flights to Denpasar or across to NZ or Pacific islands. Would also provide an option for those on EY/DJ code shares. I'd say the lounge would be pretty well utilised.

Ooops! Excellent point... I'd forgotten about short-haul international. Indeed short haul int (which currently only has patchy lounge access) will get by far the greatest benefit from these lounges.

 

[pangwen]

This thread is only member speculation, no actual company announcements or confirmed facts.

True - however, we don't need a rep to confirm that Q2 2012 will end in 16 days, and they that the proposed announcement was supposed to happen by then.

Its a good point re the July orders, but that's technically in Q3