QANTAS versus VIRGIN Business Flights - Virgin would kill QANTAS/QANTAS Link with service, food and drink. I flew with both in the past fortnight -

[esseeeayeenn]

Agree ! But I have seen some flights where it's clearly marked "Crew Only" on the overhead locker.

And these lockers are really small and sort stuck between J and Y lockers ... Are you referring to the same thing ? Or have I misunderstood you ?

No I am referring to creew putting their bags in the ordinary overhead lockers above rows 4-6.
Usually the crew working in the Y cabin.

 

[dajop]

If Virgin are so good why is Virgin's economic position so poor?

Too busy fire-hydranting money down the drain with VA international and Tiger. Virgin domestic is basically profitable, nothing like the profitability of QF domestic, but according to annual reports domestic did seem to return an operational profit last year.

 

[samh004]

I think that QF has got some what of a monopoly in terms of ... being a sponsor for any major event or such in Australia

I guess I can sort of see this being partially true, with QF sponsoring Rugby, Cricket, Football (soccer), the Olympics/Paralympics and Basketball. However VA sponsors the AFL and the V8 Supercars, which are both pretty big in their own right. I was interested to note that neither sponsors the NRL!

 

[BAM1748]

Too busy fire-hydranting money down the drain with VA international and Tiger. Virgin domestic is basically profitable, nothing like the profitability of QF domestic, but according to annual reports domestic did seem to return an operational profit last year.

I don't think they made anything before Tiger.

 

[pauly7]

They're good and hence their economic position is poor

Just kidding !!

I think the reason why VA isn't doing great economically is because I think that QF has got some what of a monopoly in terms of routes, corporate arrangements & being a sponsor for any major event or such in Australia. Besides, I believe, that being part of OW is helping QF have better connections, better international/overseas presence and things.

There could be a million other things - but the above are that come to my head instantly.

To me, not being part of an alliance is a big NO NO ...

I do agree with you that the lack of a seamless ‘proper’ alliance is really hurting VA.

I disagree with the rest of your points though.

QF does not have a monopoly on routes and if it is the only operator on a couple that is because VA has chosen not to operate on them.

QF does not have a monopoly on corporate accounts, far from it. Does it have a better market share of these accounts? Yes.

Another poster has already pointed out to you that VA has a significant sponsorship presence including Australia’s most popular sport by ratings - AFL.

You need to dig into the why behind the reasons why QF is preferred on things that actually directly drive purchase like for example:

- hard product
- soft product
- customer service and experience
- FF program

 

[Matt_01]

....
Give me Virgin anyday!

You make some good points, however if you fly VA , week in, week out, the J menus become very tired very quickly. I travelled for nearly 5 months with the option of chicken and penne or pulled lamb and barley. VA only recently changed up the J menu options. The crew also acknowledged this so there may have been a few complaints.

 

[twiningb]

You need to dig into the why behind the reasons why QF is preferred on things that actually directly drive purchase like for example:

- hard product
- soft product
- customer service and experience
- FF program

I travel several times a year but not every week (and no work long-hauls, unlike a few years back) but IME Virgin is preferable across all of those metrics.

In terms of FF offering, Qantas does bring the much better airlines in Oneworld to the table (Qatar, Cathay, JAL, even American has much better long-haul business hard product) but I tend to credit Oneworld flights elsewhere, and pooling for status and getting Etihad/Delta/Singapore privileges are strong pluses for Virgin.

QFF certainly has ubiquitous market penetration and tons of partnerships in Australia, but I would imagine that among people with high loyalty engagement (for instance, the demographic on this website as distinct from the general population), it doesn't positively differentiate itself from the alternatives. I certainly grab every QFF point I can from incidental transactions, but if flying with Qantas I'd almost always credit AAdvantage.

So I don't dispute that Qantas is more successful, but I don't think that the reality of (rather than the marketing of) any of those drivers explain it.

 

[Fergo747]

I guess I can sort of see this being partially true, with QF sponsoring Rugby, Cricket, Football (soccer), the Olympics/Paralympics and Basketball. However VA sponsors the AFL and the V8 Supercars, which are both pretty big in their own right. I was interested to note that neither sponsors the NRL!

Off topic but Tiger sponsor the Melbourne Storm. I'm surprised they are able to make their games given Tiger's cancellations etc

 

[jakeseven7]

I travel several times a year but not every week (and no work long-hauls, unlike a few years back) but IME Virgin is preferable across all of those metrics.

So I don't dispute that Qantas is more successful, but I don't think that the reality of (rather than the marketing of) any of those drivers explain it.

For you maybe and you are completely entitled to think this way for you! But for a majority of people, they do. And that is why QF have a higher market share. It is pretty simple.
Of course everyone is different but at the end of the day thats what it is....

 

[adamkps]

Have to agree. VA J domestic beats QF J domestic hands down. Recently SYD-HBA J on VA - service, PB, food and drinks excellent. Coming back QF J service rushed and unfriendly, PB non-existent, food poor (it was actually in edible) and drinks miserly and unacceptable for a J product. VA have my money.

 

[TomVexille]

Off topic but Tiger sponsor the Melbourne Storm. I'm surprised they are able to make their games given Tiger's cancellations etc

I'll give you a hint, they don't fly Tiger

 

[cqtiger]

If Virgin are so good why is Virgin's economic position so poor?

The old rusted on qantas fans and corporates would never fly anything else.

 

[BAM1748]

The old rusted on qantas fans and corporates would never fly anything else.

Interesting insight: Virgin aren't doing so well because people QF.

As Virgin dumbs down back to their roots be interesting to see how many loyal Virgin flyers switch to QF.

 

[Fergo747]

I'll give you a hint, they don't fly Tiger

Yes, I know, was said tongue in cheek. If they did they would not have made any away games

 

[Snowant]

Reading the original post, for the meal Sate Beef?! That's peanut sauce I believe. One thing I'm pleased with Qantas about is they seldom (if ever) have peanut stuff any more. More of an issue on long-haul, but scary on an aeroplane nevertheless.

I really lift an eyebrow at airlines that will fall over themselves to offer gluten free everything, but then have peanuts. Peanuts will kill a peanut allergic in minutes. Gluten will kill a coeliac over quite a long period.

Smacks of facile marketing to me.