Dreaming? [Richard Branson Wants in on Qantas Route]

[codash1099]

Haven’t seen this posted anywhere, or indeed reported anywhere else.

My initial reaction is “tell him he’s dreaming”

Perth London Virgin Airlines - Richard Branson Wants in on Qantas Route

 

[kpc]

If he could get Lhr-JFK rights for Virgin Atlantic all those years ago, Per-Lhr will be a cinch for him

 

[Saab34]

Just another case of milking the media free advertising bandwagon. When VX was sold to Alaska he said he would start another airline named VX, yes another USA domestic airline... Gone a bit quiet on that one he has.

Remember the Ryanair coin loo’s. Made global headlines. Cost to advertise...zero!

 

[dajop]

Well both of the airlines he owns minority holdings in VS (20%) and VA (8%) could easily get the rights one assumes - if management and other shareholders were keen. However I can't SQ/EY/HN be particularly interested in VA introducing a service that bypasses their hubs, and can't see DL/KL being that keen for VS to muck around with high risk services like this either.

 

[Mattg]

If Virgin Atlantic put a 787 onto the LHR-PER route with a 2-4-2 Y configuration, premium economy seats with more than 38 inches pitch and a business class seat that is actually "mini first class", they could be a serious competitor to QF on this route.

Personally I can't see VS actually following through and launching this route, though.

 

[Himeno]

The UK and Australia have open skies.
If VS wants a non stop UK-AU flight, they just need to assign LHR slots to it and have the needed aircraft.

 

[samh004]

they just need to assign LHR slots to it

Why does it have to leave from LHR?

 

[marki]

If Virgin Atlantic put a 787 onto the LHR-PER route with a 2-4-2 Y configuration, premium economy seats with more than 38 inches pitch and a business class seat that is actually "mini first class", they could be a serious competitor to QF on this route.

Personally I can't see VS actually following through and launching this route, though.

It would not necessarily be a 787 but a ETOPS ( Engine Turns Or Passengers Swim) A350 would fit the bill, so would 777x. And Perth might be an after thought it might be direct Melbourne / Sydney to LHR. That would be a slap in the face of QF

 

[juddles]

Virgin is dying. This is nonsense. Virgin will lap up any crumbs that Qantas makes available with its Sunrise project or other long haul. But only ever as secondary fleas. They simply do not have the clout to negotiate with the airplane manufacturers to make these flights happen - they will always be a second market, if they last that long.

I always love competition. But Virgin is imploding, not blossoming.

 

[dajop]

Virgin is dying. This is nonsense. Virgin will lap up any crumbs that Qantas makes available with its Sunrise project or other long haul. But only ever as secondary fleas. They simply do not have the clout to negotiate with the airplane manufacturers to make these flights happen - they will always be a second market, if they last that long.

I always love competition. But Virgin is imploding, not blossoming.

Which Virgin?

In the very unlikely event “Virgin” would do these flights, I am sure it would be Atlantic, not Australia. Atlantic probably do have better access to manufacturers, with their 50% owners DL... although can’t see DL being terribly supportive of a PER route although maybe LHR-SYD.

 

[eastwest101]

Am I correct that only the B787 and the A350 have the range to economically fly from the UK to Perth direct both ways? And only with seat blocking and a reasonably premium heavy configuration?.

I don't see Virgin Australia having any suitable aircraft at all at the moment and Virgin Atlantic has most of its B787-9s grounded with RR engine problems and the A350-1000's on order not due for delivery until 2019, it ain't happening soon.

No VA or VS aircraft available with the prerequisite range, and configuration = not going to happen.= very active imagination and research-free clickbait journalism

 

[davidj]

The aircraft can technically do the job, but its juggling the load and making the financials work is the problem.

If crude prices keep on the up, it may be problematic trying to convince the investors..