DJ to be VX's first ever code share partner

[markis10]

Needs approval but another small step in the right direction!

San Francisco – June 11, 2012 – Virgin America, the award-winning U.S. airline, announces today that it is requesting U.S. Department of Transportation approval to place the Virgin Australia code on Virgin America services from Los Angeles to Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Portland, Seattle and Washington D.C. Once approved, this will be the first-ever codeshare agreement for the California-based carrier, building on a 2009 interline agreement with Virgin Australia that paved the way for a more seamless travel experience for guests flying between Australia and the U.S. This will offer seamless booking on a single ticket for guests traveling from Australia to multiple destinations in the U.S. Virgin America’s recent move to a new reservations system allowed the carrier to initiate this first codeshare alliance as well as significantly expand its interline partnerships in recent months.

http://www.virginamerica.com/press-release/2012/virgin-america-seeks-us-dot-approval.html

 

[MandM]

So now that this is in place Virgin Australia launches codeshare on Virgin America services | Virgin Australia what exactly does it mean? I've had MEL-LAX-SEA booked on VA and VX all booked by VA in the past. How is this any different?

I'm most interested in this statement "... a more seamless experience to travellers from both sides of the Pacific, especially our most loyal guests". Status recognition?

 

[Fruitcake]

So now that this is in place Virgin Australia launches codeshare on Virgin America services | Virgin Australia what exactly does it mean? I've had MEL-LAX-SEA booked on VA and VX all booked by VA in the past. How is this any different?

The only difference is that booking wasn't a codeshare - if you booked that now, on VA codes, you could earn points/SCs at VA rates instead of VX rates, and pick up the status bonus along the way. But beyond that... no difference that I think of.

I'm most interested in this statement "... a more seamless experience to travellers from both sides of the Pacific, especially our most loyal guests". Status recognition?

VX doesn't have status of their own - so I share your interest in this statement. I can't see why VX would start "recognising" status of Velocity pax when their own Elevate members get no recognition for loyalty. Maybe it's hinting that VX is going to launch something of their own which VA pax will be able to access.

 

[mella2007]

Any improvements with any airline starting with the words Virgin is a good thing for all Velocity members!

 

[Awesom Andy]

The only difference is that booking wasn't a codeshare - if you booked that now, on VA codes, you could earn points/SCs at VA rates instead of VX rates, and pick up the status bonus along the way. But beyond that... no difference that I think of.

They can easily change the earning rules, instead of going the long way and make someone else add in codeshares. Wonder what Delta will think of that, despite the move probably being more symbolic rather than anything else (or VX has something else in its treasure chest).