LAX departures [moved] to TBIT 1 Dec [*A FL access for WP]

[grubbidok]

I had a conversation with the CEO of *A earlier in the year. They said they have been courting DJ/VA since the day AN went under, and unsurprisingly, no go.

If only!

I wonder if VA know just how much of the corporate travel they crave is being missed because the won't commit to an alliance that actually gives some real and consistent benefit on international travel. Ad-hoc arrangements just don't cut it and mean I still maintain QF Gold just through filling VA's overseas gaps.

 

[moa999]

I had a conversation with the CEO of *A earlier in the year. They said they have been courting DJ/VA since the day AN went under, and unsurprisingly, no go.
If only!

Why would VA join *A when at the moment they pickup traffic from *A and *S and main owners are SQ (*A), NZ (*A), Virgin Group (none), Etihad (none) and main partner Delta (*S)

 

[drewbles]

I wonder if VA know just how much of the corporate travel they crave is being missed because the won't commit to an alliance that actually gives some real and consistent benefit on international travel. Ad-hoc arrangements just don't cut it and mean I still maintain QF Gold just through filling VA's overseas gaps.

Most mid-level corporates couldn't care less about what alliance they're flying with. Most are very price sensitive.

Airlines tend to lock a big corporate in based on their requirements. If it's 99% domestic travel, its a simple solution. If it's a higher proportion of international, then alliances may come into play, but obviously the airline trying to strike the deal can't really do great pricing deal for partner airlines.

Why would VA join *A when at the moment they pickup traffic from *A and *S and main owners are SQ (*A), NZ (*A), Virgin Group (none), Etihad (none) and main partner Delta (*S)

The day AN went under, DJ was a LCC. They were for some time, and were not going after the corporates. It has only been of late they have. DJ/VA should have joined *A IMHO rather than go with the strategy they have, but that was their choice. I still think feeders from SQ, DL and EY are not really enough (throw in UA and yes but then you're pretty much in *A).

NZ feeder traffic would be good for them, but i'm not so sure about DL and SQ. It must work for them though or they'd re-evaluate.

 

[grubbidok]

Most mid-level corporates couldn't care less about what alliance they're flying with. Most are very price sensitive.

Airlines tend to lock a big corporate in based on their requirements. If it's 99% domestic travel, its a simple solution. If it's a higher proportion of international, then alliances may come into play, but obviously the airline trying to strike the deal can't really do great pricing deal for partner airlines.

Business travel is probably a better word for what I mean than corporate. I guess I'm thinking of my situation (academic sector), where we have freedom to choose airlines for international travel provided it is within a % of lowest fare. The beauty of an alliance is that you have a variety of options (as opposed to those VA has thought to individually approach) and you can be almost guaranteed lounge access on connections or departing airport, which for me is absolutely essential if I'm about to go out of contact for 12hrs (and which recent experiences in CDG and CGK on VA partners with no lounge access in those ports which resulted in lost tenders highlighted the absolute importance of).

Agree the domestic situation is sewn up - but while I'm willing to give VA some slack while they build and do honestly prefer them over QF, I will be back to OW in a heartbeat if VA can't sort out decent lounge access, benefits and routing on the numerous international destinations I have to fly (Europe, India and Indonesia being the biggies), and have done so on OW metal because VA offers no option. You can perhaps get there easy enough, but I'd hazard a guess to say things like lounge access are more important to the business traveller than leisure one.

It's like public transport. Sure, not many people may frequent the 11pm service, but it being there makes people more inclined to use the 1pm, 8pm or 9pm because they know they have numerous options.

OW is keeping many rusted on to QF, and they'll stay there until VA joins *A (or even *S - as long it's someone).

 

[roby]

It will be a good time for VA to consider joining an alliance given the massive capacity increase on the domestic network. They will need as much feed as they can from international partner flights to fill their seats both in terms of onward connections and FFP redemptions. Apart from oneworld travellers, I assume most international travellers don't currently have a preference in terms of Australian domestic travel. If VA joined an alliance, not only would it attract new travellers from the massive alliance network, these people who would have travelled on QF/JQ would now travel on VA. Based on that, I'd say they should join the biggest alliance with the biggest FFP member base. That happens to be Star Alliance with 9 member carriers currently flying to Australia (soon 10 with TK). Two of them happen to be VA's partner owners. I cannot see a more fitting alliance for VA.

 

[Milboo]

Yay! I am coming back through there on 15 December and was not really looking forward to the VX lounge based on reports.

 

[Fruitcake]

It will be a good time for VA to consider joining an alliance given the massive capacity increase on the domestic network...

The difficulty is that one owner (EY) detests alliances, and another owner (SQ) is famously indifferent to membership of the one that it was an extremely early member of.

 

[justcallmeryan]

This is fantastic news and a benefit I am certainly keen to explore! With at least 3 trips to the US in 2014, 2 in J and 1 in Y+, all helping me re-qualify for DJ Platinum I can't wait to enjoy.

Definitely a step up from the current loft arrangements. What I find interesting (currently sitting in the Koru lounge in SYD) is that until the Etihad lounge opens here, the LAX lounge will be miles ahead of the home offering!

Kudos to VA for pulling this off.

 

[erkpod]

I just read an email inviting me to the *A lounge in TBIT. This is interesting given my upcoming flights to/from the US. I'm flying in on VA1 but am flying out on SQ.

I wonder if all SG/WP people got an email (I'm SG) or only those with upcoming US flights?

 

[Homer]

I wonder if all SG/WP people got an email (I'm SG) or only those with upcoming US flights?

I got the email and I have no upcoming US flights.

 

[blackcat20]

I have two upcoming flights and haven't received an email, but the trips are several months away. Flying J.

 

[maninblack]

Just got an email inviting me to the *A F lounge at LAX. Didn't say I have to be flying VA to use it? I noticed it was signed by none other than Sid Gokani (ex QF) now at VA as GM of Velocity.

 

[stevelcqld]

First lounge in LAX

Hey

Flying cattle class return to LAX in feb, a reward booking so all good..

Just got an email from Velocity to advise a as a Platinum member, I can now use the Star Alliance First lounge in LAX Int terminal.. we have around 3 hours between flights returning home, so that will make the wait a bit better..

Steve

 

[lovestotravel]

Looking forward to hearing some reports/photos once people start using this lounge

Will be trying it out in Feb and March which I am looking forward to

The QF J/F lounges at TBIT as nice but just too busy
The AIR NZ lounge is nice again but starting to feel a little "dated"

 

[williamsf1]

Just got an email inviting me to the *A F lounge at LAX. Didn't say I have to be flying VA to use it? I noticed it was signed by none other than Sid Gokani (ex QF) now at VA as GM of Velocity.

the T&C at the bottom state

Platinum members and 1 guest are entitled to access the First Class section of the Star Alliance lounge when departing on Virgin Australia operated flights in any class of service.

 

[williamsf1]

Looking forward to hearing some reports/photos once people start using this lounge

Will be trying it out in Feb and March which I am looking forward to

The QF J/F lounges at TBIT as nice but just too busy
The AIR NZ lounge is nice again but starting to feel a little "dated"

"dated" ???? It only opened a few months back ??? Star Alliance's new LAX super-lounge to open next week - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[lovestotravel]

"dated" ???? It only opened a few months back ??? Star Alliance's new LAX super-lounge to open next week - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

In reference to the old Air NZ lounge

Can't really find any good reviews of this new lounge!

 

[serfty]

In reference to the old Air NZ lounge

Can't really find any good reviews of this new lounge!

FWIW, the T2 NZ lounge was getting dated and work last year.

Plus the catering had fallen right off from the late 00's ...

 

[bullerdude]

A great move for VA that provides a similar experience to Qantas when on flights leaving the US.

Gold / J -- Business Class Lounge
Plat -- First Class Lounge

Now we just need to see this with the upcoming Etihad lounges in Aus.

 

[lovestotravel]

A great move for VA that provides a similar experience to Qantas when on flights leaving the US.

Gold / J -- Business Class Lounge
Plat -- First Class Lounge

Now we just need to see this with the upcoming Etihad lounges in Aus.

At the moment the LAX *A lounge would be far better than the LAX TBIT QF lounges!

The lack of a decent lounge was my only issue with VA on the USA route and now it's fixed it's a very compelling product. I personally rate the VA 777J over over the QF A380J as well

When the new QF lounges open in 2014 I'll probably swing back to QF again as QF overall works better for me

However this is a great step in the right direction for VA Int!