*A members need to 'lift their game' Australia: Air NZ Exec

[SeaWolf]

More focus on Star Alliance in Australia needed

STAR Alliance members need to 'lift their game' in the Australian market, the deputy chief executive of Air New Zealand Norm Thompson has warned.

Thompson conceded Star was at a disadvantage because oneworld lead member Qantas dovetailed its dense domestic Australian flight system into the oneworld network. Star has not had a domestic Australian carrier in its ranks since Ansett Australia flopped six and a half years ago.

 

[ANstar]

So Air NZ whinge about QF's dominance in the Australian Market, yet are Anti Virgin Blue joining the Star network..... hmmmm

 

[Keith009]

And V interestingly VA is codesharing with NW instead of potential alliance partner UA, or even VX.

Thompson added that while Qantas had an extremely well- known brand, oneworld had a far less strong brand identity in Australia.

I'd have thought that an alliance's brand identity rests on the strengths of its individual members, not the other way round. So most people would know of oneworld through the Qantas brand, *A through the SQ brand etc.

 

[ANstar]

And V interestingly VA is codesharing with NW instead of potential alliance partner UA, or even VX.

VA are not code sharing with NW.... they are just interlining baggage... Velocity memebrs won't even be able to earn miles on those flights with NW.

 

[Keith009]

VA are not code sharing with NW.... they are just interlining baggage... Velocity memebrs won't even be able to earn miles on those flights with NW.

Ah thanks for clearing that up. VX probably has too little destinations I guess.

 

[Yada Yada]

So Air NZ whinge about QF's dominance in the Australian Market, yet are Anti Virgin Blue joining the Star network..... hmmmm

And has Air NZ forgotten their role in the demise of *A's Australian member, AN? :evil:

 

[oz_mark]

And has Air NZ forgotten their role in the demise of *A's Australian member, AN? :evil:

I don't think there is much that would stop them operating aust dom flights (aside from some $$ and some planes)

 

[coco50]

So Air NZ whinge about QF's dominance in the Australian Market, yet are Anti Virgin Blue joining the Star network..... hmmmm

Well might Air NZ whinge! I seem to remember that they were the ones that cast AN adrift and let it sink! What was that joke about how does a New Zealander get into small business? Give him a big one and let him run it down. What they did to AN was a clear case of asset stripping. They only have themselves to blame that there is no Australian-based *Alliance airline operating.

 

[dajop]

For me (and there may be others), forgetting domestic network considerations, one really inferior product of * alliance is their Circle Pacific product. You can circle the pacific and that is about all, as it is restricted to the west coast (LAX/SFO/SEA/YVR). With OW you can fly all over the US and Canada. With the AC/US/UA network, it would be terrific if you could do that on * as well.

 

[Evan]

*A's inconsistant lounge access is a big draw back for me.
But the last of a domestic partner in AU is certianly not as popular alliance, but sayng that i think a lot of people really say i was to travel SQ because i like them, or they take the cheapest fare.

I think the people who travel on an alliance (be it skyteam, *A, OW, whatever) is really not that great, thats in terms of numbers of people, but those people who do probably take a lot of flights.

E

 

[pauly7]

I don't think there is much that would stop them operating aust dom flights (aside from some $$ and some planes)

would be interesting to see the reaction of the public to an air nz domestic offering as well... would make a great public opinion piece on all the trash rags and shows!

 

[SeaWolf]

I've found another article, dated 2nd April 2008:
Star Alliance CEO expresses concerns about Virgin Blue's business model

Star Alliance Chief Executive Jaan Albrecht has expressed concerns about Virgin Blue's business model, saying DJ is not yet a suitable candidate for inclusion in the global air alliance which numbers Singapore Airlines, Thai, United and Air New Zealand.

The tone of the article almost makes it sound like he's irritated that they aren't suitable yet and that he expected they would be.

 

[Fluid-Flyer]

I don't think there is much that would stop them operating aust dom flights (aside from some $$ and some planes)

Perhaps also, an unfortunate lack of terminal space, let alone "premium service space" on the ground. Assuming their strategy in Oz, would be the same as Qantas' in NZ, flying only major domestic trunk routes.

 

[ANstar]

I dont see why they aren't suitable....

The offer a similar service to bmi on European routes (and I presume comparable to United/US Air with Buy on board in Y)

Their long haul product will be superior to alot of STAR members....They hvae Amadeus as their GDS.... so they seem to be doing alot right in terms of an alliance....

 

[Arthur Hodgson]

I dont see why they aren't suitable....

The offer a similar service to bmi on European routes (and I presume comparable to United/US Air with Buy on board in Y)

Their long haul product will be superior to alot of STAR members....They hvae Amadeus as their GDS.... so they seem to be doing alot right in terms of an alliance....

DJ is an LCC in most senses of the phrase. The other airlines you mention are full-service carriers, who also have LCC services in certain niche markets.

As for V Australia's "long haul product" being superior, let's wait and see. They don't have a lot of actual runs on the board at the moment. Or, I suppose you might believe everything you read...

 

[ANstar]

DJ is an LCC in most senses of the phrase. The other airlines you mention are full-service carriers, who also have LCC services in certain niche markets.

Actually if you look at BMI, the majority of their services are LCC style.

As for V australia.... they say they have a full flat horizontal J product... they also offer more leg room than QF in Y......why lie about it if it is not true???

 

[SeaWolf]

What I'd be interested in is what exactly the criteria is.

I think DJ is far from a LCC now and really the major difference between QF and DJ's domestic economy product is that one feeds you and one doesn't. But I can't imagine that's a requirement since most (all?) North American carriers don't feed their passengers on domestic flights anymore and there's another article in this forum saying that Air Canada is even charging for blankets these days!

I think the major blocking factor is probably the misguided perception that DJ is still a dirt cheap carrier with the bare minimum of services.

 

[serfty]

I believe there has been reference in this forum to DK re-positioning itself as a "new-age"/"new-world" carrier.

 

[dajop]

DJ is an LCC in most senses of the phrase. The other airlines you mention are full-service carriers, who also have LCC services in certain niche markets.

I flew Spanair last weekend. They are definitely as much an LCC (if not moreso) than DJ. Yet they are a member of * alliance. OK - they have status, priority luggage, lounge access etc - oh, so does DJ. They have "business" class, and DJ doesn't but then DJ's premium economy looks as good, if not better. OK, Spainair interlines to other alliance members, but DJ now interlines to a range of partners as well. Hmmm what else IFE? None, not even to purchase. Catering? Yes - for purchase on board, but very limited range.

At last I found a difference ... those in the back of half of the plane didn't have to board using the back stairs. Aaah that's it.

 

[pauly7]

I believe there has been reference in this forum to DK re-positioning itself as a "new-age"/"new-world" carrier.

thats it...! you know i totally believe this is the case, certainly on here most people understand this is what DJ is striving to be but I think DJ's marketing has let them down, public perception to the masses still has them in the cheap and cheerful bargain bin along with Jetstar.

They need a decent marketing campaign, the what you want stuff was rubbish, too confusing.