Is this the next big VA announcement?

[yogi]

Remaining Off Topic for a moment...

...I thought we were discussing VA's next big announcement. How did the discussion deteriorate into status, entitlement and others' whinging?

All 'pointed' remarks and labelling do is cause anger and frustration - which, IMO, is not in the spirit of sharing our experiences to maximize the lots or little that we fly- no matter the airline or the programme.....that's why I'm here, how about others?

.../OT

Nicely said. For various reasons, I don't think anyone was talking much about the original thread (we will see if the theory stands on Tuesday), so it just went sideways.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Interesting development overnght,and interesting question on Crikey.
What will Virgin Australia do with Delta 777s?


Delta, Virgin Australia deal sets up Atlanta-Sydney nonstops | Plane Talking
Cheers
N'oz

 

[yogi]

Interesting development overnght,and interesting question on Crikey.
What will Virgin Australia do with Delta 777s?


Delta, Virgin Australia deal sets up Atlanta-Sydney nonstops | Plane Talking
Cheers
N'oz

Well........... interesting.

Between the US, Aust and South Pacific. So could be one or possibly a series of routes. Maybe the name will have something to do with Southern Pacific (southern US, southern hemisphere, southern pacific islands) and cover some of the routes that will fall under VA from when they officially link Polynesian and Pacific Blues from Jan 1 next year.

 

[browski]

Wow, in so many ways, the absence of 777s on the Qantas fleet is just a curse that keeps on biting them.

VA on the other hand just keep kicking goals.

The dreamliner may be a gamechanger but will Qantas have given the opposition too much of a headstart by then. All the recent QF FF program benefits will not overcome the fact that Qantas does not (and is not able to) fly to destinations that the aussie population demands. Maybe Qantas should wet lease some 777s and get back in the game right now. Time to tool up.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Wow, in so many ways, the absence of 777s on the Qantas fleet is just a curse that keeps on biting them.

VA on the other hand just keep kicking goals.

The dreamliner may be a gamechanger but will Qantas have given the opposition too much of a headstart by then. All the recent QF FF program benefits will not overcome the fact that Qantas does not (and is not able to) fly to destinations that the aussie population demands. Maybe Qantas should wet lease some 777s and get back in the game right now. Time to tool up.

Interestingly not all industry watchers seem to agree that the 777 is right for QF.
Air NZ helps explain why the 777 isn't right for Qantas - Wings Down Under
Cheers
N'oz
Edited to add:Apology for taking the thread off topic.

 

[pshepvic]

Interestingly not all industry watchers seem to agree that the 777 is right for QF.
Air NZ helps explain why the 777 isn't right for Qantas - Wings Down Under
Cheers
N'oz
Edited to add:Apology for taking the thread off topic.

Interesting article actually - quite a simple theory, but possibly quite right when you consider 1. Where we are located, and 2. The passenger demands/loads to the mentioned destinations.

 

[eastwest101]

Interestingly not all industry watchers seem to agree that the 777 is right for QF.
Air NZ helps explain why the 777 isn't right for Qantas - Wings Down Under
Cheers
N'oz
Edited to add:Apology for taking the thread off topic.

Further off-topic - as I read that article - all that it proves is that:

1. QF shouldn't operate B777-300ER's to London, Singapore and LA due to slot restrictions - which is exactly why QF already have A380's - but dosen't address that there are other long range destinations that would be suitable for QF 777's.

2. If "Mainline" asian carriers don't use 777's to Australia because they don't need the huge range that the 777 has, to get here, hence the use of A330's. But if traffic grows between Asia and Australia then they will be able to upgrade to B777's wheras QF will be stuck with A330's and B787's and will be unable to grow. Ergo - a lot of Asian airlines plan for future growth and optionality - and QF does not.

3. the author of the article isn't aware of any growth opportunity outside SE Asia and Europe that would suit QF. I suspect this could be proven wrong in the future.

 

[straitman]

I'm tempted to run a poll to see what we should rename this thread!


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[drron]

Yep, the status match boat has sailed. And thats as it should be, why should the airline gift the perks which it has so expensively put in place? Shouldn't those perks be the domain of individuals who's reward it rightfully is, the top tier DJ flyers. There is however one way you can guarantee yourself a J class seat, access to the lounge and all the rest....buy it!

Sorry but you are looking at this from your perspective not the airlines.Status matching is a way of capturing more high worth pax.For example SPG matched my Hhonors diamond status and now get the vast majority of my hotel stays-surely a good result for SPG.

 

[eastwest101]

I think all of the major announcements have been done, its now just a case of implemententing them all.

A330 Transcon and other routes (being done), total aircraft fitouts/replacements so their hard products such as seating and IFE are consistent accross the network (toughest to do but I think most important), Velocity (mostly done?), codeshare alliance with Delta and SQ (mostly done), IT booking systems (partly done?), new lounges (partly done), new corporate look (mix of partly done and ongoing).

I think the direction of most of these has been positive and if implemented, will certainly result in a better operation. Would be nice for them if the the economy dosen't go down the toilet, fuel prices drop a bit and nothing bad like NZ or Japan earthquakes don't happen for a year to bed everything down.

 

[pshepvic]

I think all of the major announcements have been done, its now just a case of implemententing them all.

I certainly hope they're not all completely done, and I also doubt they are. I don't think they'd be flying 5 of us (in Business/Premium too) to Sydney on Tuesday for something minor.

I'm excited about what we're going to find out on Tuesday, and I have a few ideas based on some previous clues, as well as where the lunch is, and other info they've told us. But you're just going to have to stay tuned until Tuesday to find out!

 

[pshepvic]

For updates tomorrow, stay tuned to Twitter - #VirginAusAFF

 

[straitman]

I think all of the major announcements have been done, its now just a case of implemententing them all.

I am sure that there are quite a few AFF members who do not agree with this summary. Particularly in light of New partnership assistance required from AFF

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I think all of the major announcements have been done, its now just a case of implemententing them all.

.

I'm still waiting for the one about them joining the *A.

 

[straitman]

I'm still waiting for the one about them joining the *A.

As are most of us :!:

 

[yogi]

A little part of me wishes they had done the US deal with United. Mostly *A and points related.

 

[browski]

A little part of me wishes they had done the US deal with United. Mostly *A and points related.

You know, as an aussie resident, the Delta tie-up is great on many fronts.

The best part is that for all the VA announcements, we can finally ditch Velocity as a superfluous FF Program.

So....that leaves:

Qantas (or AA) for One World
Krisflyer (or ANZ Airpoints) for Star Alliance
Delta for Skyteam

I've been running with Air France (Flying Blue) and Delta will be so much more relevant.

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Velocity (mostly done?)

Not even close to being done...

I suggest a DJ WP (Wanker Platinum as that is what all the other DJ FF tiers will call us) Lounge meet in say 3 months (Mel or Syd or both) with VR (Velocity Rewards) as well (hey VR you buy the first shout!!) after DJ announces the DJ Platinum requirements for us DJ SC Runners.

Sorry, my wallet is empty... have to pay for new brand, uniform, menu, lounges,.....

 

[Misha]

Sorry, my wallet is empty... have to pay for new brand, uniform, menu, lounges,.....

..well go on... what's the 'dot dot dot' ? :mrgreen:

 

[connieguy]

Not even close to being done...

Sorry, my wallet is empty... have to pay for new brand, uniform, menu, lounges,.....

Gotta do you buy in the shout. No wankers here.