Does anybody know anything about V Australia delayed launch?

[_kab_]

Hi all. I am due to fly out with V Australia in February.

As you may know they delayed their launch due to the recently resolved Boeing strike action. They have already made alternate arrangements for passengers flying mid December (their initial launch date) to mid January but, so far, no official word about flights already scheduled for mid Jan onwards i.e me

Anyway...long story short...I e-mailed them 2 weeks ago - no reply - and phoned them today. Staffer stated that they will DEFINITELY be flying out starting 1 February. Despite this assurance she actually sounded very unsure about it

So....wondering if anyone has heard related gossip on the grapevine about V? As I understood it Boeing was going to be in a position to discuss deliveries - with those airlines who had placed orders - last Thursday, which is why I was expecting some sort of media release from V. The only piece of info I managed to uncover was a comment from a union official saying that he thought it was very unlikely they could meet demand and 'catch up' and he went on to say that they didn't expect to be back on track until March at best.

Hoping someone out there knows something (good or bad!).
Cheers.

 

[markis10]

The V Australia ad on telly ten minutes ago said flights start 28th Feb.

 

[albatross710]

Talking socially to a V person yesterday she didn't sound too optimistic about the launch date.

I didnt followup that line of conversation with her as I wasn't intending any stateside trips, so no other info.

 

[Evan]

Well with Boeing only apparently delivering 1 x 777 this month i would not be so hopefull about the start date. They must be bleeding money in a bad way right now
E

 

[albatross710]

Well with Boeing only apparently delivering 1 x 777 this month i would not be so hopefull about the start date. They must be bleeding money in a bad way right now
E

I've been using the Boeing example as a example of "So you think we have it tough in the marketplace".

Boeing is trying to compete with Airbus
USD is appreciating
US in recession
oh, and the factory is on strike.

Must do wonders for their cashflow...and no doubt the airlines will want compensation.

 

[Evan]

You forgot to mention...
- Lost a major US military tender (Tankers)
Although they may yet win it back but i doubt they will get it all.

For the strike Boeing probably wont have to compensate... but for the delays due to other reasons, well thats another story. I wonder if maybe though that they managed to avoid including compensation clauses to a large extent in the 787 sales since we have not heard much about airlines asking for conpensation (i think something from VA), or maybe they are all waiting to see when the thing gets FAA certification before asking since i would guess the worst is not over yet.

E

 

[_kab_]

Thanks for all your replies.

The V Australia ad on telly ten minutes ago said flights start 28th Feb.

Yup..and even their website says the same (shame their staff don't reiterate it verbatim rather than making false promises unlikely to be kept)

With Qantas having their 2-for-1 sale right now I am concerned that I will be left flying another carrier and/or going via some far flung destination (Shebangabang anyone?) adding 5 hours to the journey. Not a good way to start a holiday. Selfish I know, but I'd like the most direct flight and preferably on a new plane

If anyone hears any further whispers...

 

[Blackswan]

I'm in the same boat - I booked a flight from SYD to LAX on the 2nd of Feb 2009.

As I wanted to book onward travel last week to SFO (a little cheapie flight on Southwest) - I rang up V to get some further details as to what was happening. The Woman couldn't give me any further details as to what was happening, but told me to book the onward travel (with adequate connection times) - and told me that they would do everything possible to get me there in time (yes - I took her details).

I was going to fill out the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form in the next week - and have been holding out incase the carrier code changes. I guess I will have to look into how easy it is to amend the form should I get rebooked.

Another issue that was floating around in my mind. If V did rebook me on say Qantas - would I still be entitled to the Velocity points, the Qantas FF points, or nothing?

 

[_kab_]

As I wanted to book onward travel last week to SFO (a little cheapie flight on Southwest) - I rang up V to get some further details as to what was happening. The Woman couldn't give me any further details as to what was happening, but told me to book the onward travel (with adequate connection times) - and told me that they would do everything possible to get me there in time (yes - I took her details).

Hmmm. Time wise, they seem - to me - to be cutting it very fine indeed. I didn't wait to book my US domestic flights (eager, eh? ).

I was going to fill out the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form in the next week - and have been holding out incase the carrier code changes. I guess I will have to look into how easy it is to amend the form should I get rebooked

I've already completed mine (eager, eh? ) and - I believe - it is quite easy to go back to your details and amend on-line. Haven't tested it yet, of course but the initial process is pretty swift <10 minutes and easy as.

PS Sounds like we're both hoping to get re-booked on to Qantas

 

[Blackswan]

Hmmm. Time wise, they seem - to me - to be cutting it very fine indeed. I have already booked 2 US domestic flights (eager, eh? ).




I've already completed mine (eager, eh? ) and - I believe - it is quite easy to go back to your details and amend on-line. Haven't tested it yet, of course but the initial process is pretty swift <10 minutes and easy as.

PS Sounds like we're both hoping to get re-booked on to Qantas

Well I'm under the impression that United don't have personal entertainment systems - and if this is the case, it would certainly make for a very long flight. I could be wrong (in which case, I'm sure someone will point it out v. quickly). I think I would prefer Qantas - if only for it being "better the devil I know" . . . .

 

[ANstar]

Given the strike was around 60 days and they were due to receive the first 777 end OCT... I would say they have a good chance of getting aircraft one in the first week of JAN, which should allow them to startup for 1 FEB.... They are still advertising 28FEB I presume until they have their delivery dates confirmed.

 

[file51]

I will be spending a week with one of the Boeing employees next month and after speaking on the phone yesterday with this person he stated that the Virgin aircraft that they have awaiting final fitout will be off the line just prior to Christmas (i.e. enroute to either here or wherever else Virgin are taking it to). Apparently an AA aircraft has the same parking slot alllcated from the 29th of December.

Mind you, it was also said during the same phone call that things were several months behind schedule, so dont take the 60 days of strike as just how far things are behind.

 

[_kab_]

Mind you, it was also said during the same phone call that things were several months behind schedule, so dont take the 60 days of strike as just how far things are behind.

I read similar comments from a union delegate at Boeing.

FWIW I rang V again today and it was suggested they would be in contact with "guests" booked on Jan-Feb flights by the end of next week with news. I was told that they will extend to them the same offer/s as previously if things do, indeed, go pear shaped. They were a little cagey to say the least and I suspect they already know what is coming. We'll see...

 

[bnroz]

I read similar comments from a union delegate at Boeing.

FWIW I rang V again today and it was suggested they would be in contact with "guests" booked on Jan-Feb flights by the end of next week with news. I was told that they will extend to them the same offer/s as previously if things do, indeed, go pear shaped. They were a little cagey to say the least and I suspect they already know what is coming. We'll see...

i rang VA last week, i think wednesday 19th nov as i am booked to fly out on 19th February from SYD-LAX, and id really like to know what is going on, they said that at the moment they are planning to start flying 1st Feb but she said if anything changes they will advise! well, that really doesnt help me out at all does it, if i book my internal US flights, accomodation for those dates and then come Jan they tell me its delayed! surely they have some idea now?

she didnt mentioned anything about contacting passengers next week.... i will wait another week or 2 and see....

 

[simongr]

The expectation is I think that Virgin will accommodate pax on another airline if the flights are delayed.
S

 

[_kab_]

i rang VA last week, i think wednesday 19th nov as i am booked to fly out on 19th February from SYD-LAX, and id really like to know what is going on, they said that at the moment they are planning to start flying 1st Feb but she said if anything changes they will advise! well, that really doesnt help me out at all does it, if i book my internal US flights, accomodation for those dates and then come Jan they tell me its delayed! surely they have some idea now?

she didnt mentioned anything about contacting passengers next week.... i will wait another week or 2 and see....

:-| I do think it depends on who you talk to (which is frustrating in itself since you'd expect there to be a uniform response to this kind of question!). I was also initially advised 1st Feb...but then given a more conservative response once it became clear that I had a little more information at hand than the average punter. The truth is probably somwhere in the middle. Keeping my eye on my inbox and waiting. FWIW I feel you should go ahead and book what you need to (flights, accomm etc) - VA will DEFINITELY make alternate arrangements for guests to fly with another airline so your holiday is assured!

In my convo with VA about this exact predicament I was advised that one might need to be slightly flexible on departure/return dates (in my situation extending our stay by a day or 2 is no biggie & actually I am quite happy if it works out this way!). It may mean finding another nights accomm in Los Angeles ...or cutting short your last night...either way it should be as simple as amending a current/existing reservation & so shouldn't be too hard to work out (of course the cost could be an issue will the dollar the way it is if you're adding a night ).

 

[_kab_]

Update for anyone else effected by this:

Got an e-mail confirming what I have been told; guests will be contacted in the next week or so about flights mid Jan onwards (for ref this particular e-mail was in response to one I had sent to them...not a general 'to whom it may concern' affair).