QF/Emirates Alliance

[Jama]

Ok. You're all think what's this thread doing here.

The questions are to do with Virgin.

What's different about the Virgin/Etihad alliance compared to the Qantas/Emirates alliance ? There was an awful lot of who ha over the Qantas deal that I don't recall Virgin going through with Etihad.

I haven't flown with Etihad yet but from what I have heard it is a step down from Emirates, who I have flown with. Did Virgin make a mistake in cutting loose the relationship they had with Emirates instead of enhancing it ?

 

[grubbidok]

I think the key is that VA had no routes to Europe initially, so the arrangement added to VA routes, whereas QF are actively reducing their European flights in favour of them being taken over by EK (e.g. cutting FRA), and the ACCC are worried they may be reduced further.

I do remember there was some who ha over the VA/EY deal though, but perhaps I'm mistaken. I do remember QF were really bagging the middle-east model back then (tune's changed obviously).

I've not been overly impressed with EY, and would much prefer VA. But I also think that EK is possibly the world's most over-rated airline, especially in Y, and would much rather have preferred QF metal, or would be just as happy with EY. TBH I prefer to avoid all middle east carriers (just don't like the layover anywhere near as much as Changi) and primarily use SQ - the impending QF/EK alliance was a big factor in my move to VA. I know a lot of people who feel the same.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

I think the key is that VA had no routes to Europe initially, so the arrangement added to VA routes, whereas QF are actively reducing their European flights in favour of them being taken over by EK (e.g. cutting FRA), and the ACCC are worried they may be reduced further.

I do remember there was some who ha over the VA/EY deal though, but perhaps I'm mistaken. I do remember QF were really bagging the middle-east model back then (tune's changed obviously).

I've not been overly impressed with EY, and would much prefer VA. But I also think that EK is possibly the world's most over-rated airline, especially in Y, and would much rather have preferred QF metal, or would be just as happy with EY. TBH I prefer to avoid all middle east carriers (just don't like the layover anywhere near as much as Changi) and primarily use SQ - the impending QF/EK alliance was a big factor in my move to VA. I know a lot of people who feel the same.

Well put. While the respective footprint of QF/EK is larger (in terms of Australian and European ports served), the VA/EY arrangement for VA was about moving from an LCC to a network carrier, while for QF it was much more a defensive play.

I know oneworld had been considering a Middle Eastern carrier for some time and now Qatar Airways is due to join in the next 12 months. Qantas apparently decided Qatar was of less benefit to them (they currently only fly to Perth and Melbourne) and decided to join up with EK outside oneworld.

 

[moa999]

Emirates is also much broader than Qatar in Middle East to Europe flights, so giving Qantas what it wants which is ME connections.