Tokyo Haneda slot - how will Virgin Operate it?

[AustraliaPoochie]

Hope that somehow plane hold baggage load limits can/ will be taken into account.
For coming into Aust in Dec, from Japan, it will be humid hot in CNS, where as HND will still be cold.
And the opposite for those going up in Jul, cold in the lower parts of Aust, but hot up in HND.
If we (talking figuratively), have to pay for overweightnbaggage, it can add quite a lot to the trip.
Not so bad with SQ and the others, as the planes can carry more hold baggage, but it will be limited for the 737max.
Will they allow ski gear?

 

[henrus]

Hope that somehow plane hold baggage load limits can/ will be taken into account.

VA is one step ahead of you... they already have this listed on their website:

Basically those without status will be travelling exactly with the allowance on their ticket (except for lite fares which can add one bag)

The purchase of additional baggage is limited for flights to and from Haneda, Japan and Apia, Samoa. The carriage of additional baggage is at the sole discretion of Virgin Australia and is subject to aircraft loads. The purchase of additional baggage at the airport is subject to availability and there is no guarantee of uplift.

Checked baggage allowance | Virgin Australia

Your guide to Virgin Australia's checked baggage allowance based on your selected fare. Find detail on size, weights and extras.

www.virginaustralia.com

 

[simmomelb]

2145-0615 is actually quite a good timing IMO

I agree, good time for take off and landing. I quite like these times as I'd get a good sleep and wake at a time that I'd normally wake.

 

[Pele]

I agree, good time for take off and landing. I quite like these times as I'd get a good sleep and wake at a time that I'd normally wake.

I think most people agree the timings are very good however the hard product is the problem and wont be conducive to getting any sleep.

 

[Saab34]

Not so sure if the -700s will operate the route now. One has just left for a heavy check in the ME, they appear to be offline for 6 weeks. Seems a bit tight. The other one probably needs a heavy check also. I wouldn’t be relying on one -700 to run the route especially the one that due for a heavy check.

I flew on one of those -700s the other week. They are pretty filthy inside, coming up nearly 20 years old, they certainly look like they have been flogged hard over the years. Not really a product I’d be putting up for a premium International route.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Jayne did say she was more into a middle of the road carrier model, can't remember her exact words.
Edit: *(mid market airline!)*
Guess she has decided to make do with what she has got, she can call it midscale, but its LCC for sure.
No lounge, min service, small aircraft, low cost base.

 

[HS-TQE]

Jayne did say she was more into a middle of the road carrier model, can't remember her exact words.
Edit: *(mid market airline!)*
Guess she has decided to make do with what she has got, she can call it midscale, but its LCC for sure.
No lounge, min service, small aircraft, low cost base.

Or as a Bain executive would state, a "Value Orientated Airline" (tm). Basically a LCC with J recliners and limited lounge services.

 

[Saab34]

They want to be a LCC but still want that snout in the corporate contracts trough. Virgin Blue didn’t have many corporate dollars coming in. So it’s a matter of cut as many costs as we can but keep those corporate dollars coming in.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

On the "to" Japan route, its true, only limited lounges, ie, at airports with connecting flight to CNS, with CNS and HDN itself not having an "included in fare" lounge access.
I would say its probably equivalent to D7 AAX Air Asia X/TR TGW Scoot, except that those 2 have got wide bodied planes.
Granted to a lot of pax, wide bodied planes is no different to narrow bodied planes, but I still prefer a wide bodied plane, esp on an international flight.
Guess if we want el cheapo, this is the only way to get the "cheapest" part J service airline from Au to Japan.
Most of Jan, they have blocked off J coming back to Au, going up, some sectors esp ADL - east coast are still in Y on the way to CNS.

 

[PERLHR]

If Zipair ever decide to fly from Cairns, could mark quickly the end of VA on that route to Japan! Think Zip are operating from Sydney or plan to. No frills but with flat bed.

 

[HS-TQE]

If Zipair ever decide to fly from Cairns, could mark quickly the end of VA on that route to Japan! Think Zip are operating from Sydney or plan to. No frills but with flat bed.

I think Zipair's expansion plan in the short-medium term are mostly TransPacific to the USA.

Australia I suspect is medium term, and I'm tipping if(?) they eventually expand into Australia, they might enter CNS when the Queensland Government AAIF subsidy for both VA and QF's services into CNS and BNE from HND are due to expire.

Japan’s Zipair Plans Fourth U.S. Destination | Aviation Week Network

Fresh from adding Los Angeles and San Jose, the LCC is further expanding its U.S. network.

aviationweek.com

Their 787 layout is Y heavy with Flatbed and it seems their service level is similar to Scoot (inclusive in J, BoB in Y).

Seat map of Boeing 787 Zipair updated 2024

Explore Zipair Boeing 787 seating plan with detailed layout chart to find the perfect seat in First, Business or Economy class. Enjoy SeatMaps

seatmaps.com

 

[_flyer]

Looks like Boeing is going to ramp up production - Virgin’s 737 Max might arrive in the nick of time…maybe.

Boeing : Boeing plans to ramp up 737 Max production after significant delays

US PLANE MAKER Boeing yesterday announced plans to ramp up production of its 737 Max planes after manufacturing issues led to significant delivery delays. There had been major concerns that the manufacturer would not be able to meet its annual target of m... | 01:41am

www.marketscreener.com

 

[Saab34]

Virgin might be lucky. They might give VA a bit of priority considering what is at stake. Many other MAX on the line are operators with many MAX jets, Virgin is make or break for this one Jet!

 

[jakeseven7]

Virgin might be lucky. They might give VA a bit of priority considering what is at stake. Many other MAX on the line are operators with many MAX jets, Virgin is make or break for this one Jet!

Wouldn’t be using the word ‘break’ with the MAX variants

 

[Saab34]

Really is starting to get tight now. When you have a look at some numbers Boeing has thrown out it seems unlikely Virgin will get the aircraft.

Boeing has said 7-10 days to rectify each aircraft. They have not started yet. 170 odd aircraft to be completed.

Does not look like anything is happening this week so perhaps Virgin might get its fix done this month if they are in front, but they really need the aircraft 1-2 weeks prior don’t they? I assume CASA needs to sign them off or something being a new series. Still needs another 3-4 weeks with testing, fitout, painting, assembly finish, not to mention the backlog ahead of Virgin.

Really cannot see this happening. And with the -700 in AUH, I guess they could use the International 738s one stop.

 

[_flyer]

Really cannot see this happening.

The Australian just published an article questioning whether they can met the deadline too. Virgin appears optimistic, but suggests it out of their hands. I have an early July booking and starting to think I should have booked ANA. I just hope they accomodate guests, if the service is delayed. I have booked all activities and accommodation.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/virgin-australias-nervous-wait-for-new-boeing-737-max-8s/news-story/7a265e910fb356e92302fd5fd2ed9829?amp&nk=4be594380afb73f6b779cdc53405a829-1682934470

 

[Must...Fly!]

The Australian just published an article questioning whether they can met the deadline too. Virgin appears optimistic, but suggests it out of their hands. I have an early July booking and starting to think I should have booked ANA. I just hope they accomodate guests, if the service is delayed. I have booked all activities and accommodation.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/virgin-australias-nervous-wait-for-new-boeing-737-max-8s/news-story/7a265e910fb356e92302fd5fd2ed9829?amp&nk=4be594380afb73f6b779cdc53405a829-1682934470

The bad press they'll get if they don't offer rebooking on an alternate carrier will be immense and not what they need. I would be surprised if they went that way.

 

[Saab34]

Well they won’t want any bad press at all while they are in IPO mode, so I’d expect all passengers would be well looked after. Still might get some bad press from cranky pax if they are forced to do a 738 with one or two stops - not ideal.

Bit of a backtrack though for those people living in Cairns though who are flying it. And I guess the Toyko inbound pax are largely going to Cairns so a long detour in also.

But the question around the slot and no ifs or buts around delaying it a month otherwise they lose it remains to be seen.

 

[jakeseven7]

The bad press they'll get if they don't offer rebooking on an alternate carrier will be immense and not what they need. I would be surprised if they went that way.

They’ll rebook every single passenger. Won’t risk the PR mess.

They did when LA was delayed for weeks and weeks. Booked the stranded passengers straight onto Qantas.

 

[simmomelb]

This will be very interesting to see how this situation unfolds.
I feel it'll get bad PR no matter what they do, but yes, I agree that they will need to book passengers on another carrier to soften the negative attention a little - the media will be all over it.
I'd be surprised if VA doesn't formally announce something (either way) within the next week given the short window for delivery and launch date for this route.