Tokyo Haneda slot - how will Virgin Operate it?

Makes total sense to prioritize AU connections; most AU travelers will be going to Tokyo and VA can't just focus on BNE-only passengers.

I don't mind an overnight connection in HND, in fact I've forced those on purpose before. It's a great place to do an overnight.

The points redemptions seem like a good value.
 
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Interesting, as I am planning a Japan trip at end of March... and must say the price isn't too bad for economy (redemption for business doesn't look bad either).

I'm not clear on the WP privileges though - is there economy x, baggage allowance, will it be the same upgrade points table as HK etc? Anyone have any insight?

I might add, the "subject to government approval" has slightly worried me a bit though...
 
The government approval, at least the difficult bits, should be done. So I wouldn't worry about that.

The A330 don't really have EconomyX unless that's changed? They show a couple seats as X but they are just exit rows, etc.

Otherwise, I don't think destinations have much impact on WP privileges. This is a long haul international flight.
 
I might add, the "subject to government approval" has slightly worried me a bit though...

It's standard wording. There are a few other fares from other airlines that also have that right now.

As CPMaverick said, regulatory issues have already been mostly met in this case.
 
I just booked one J award seat on this new route. I was hoping for 3 J award seats, but i fully accept/understand why they don't release that many J award seats per flight. So now i sit in blind hope that they'll release 2 more j award seats on my particular flight even though it would make no sense for them to do so. ha.
 
Had a look today. New flight is ex bne at 1140 arrv HND 2000 Dept HND 2145 arrv BNE 0745
 
I'd argue this has been quite poorly planned...
  • You can't book oneway flights from Japan back to Australia.
  • NH codeshares are non existent.
  • All Domestic connections require an overnight stop in Tokyo with no choice (only option is the 6am domestic connection).
  • Booking system doesn't even have an airline name for NH. Just shows NH in the booking site.
  • Peak date getaway fares gone almost instantly (with no prior warning of the sale starting). As soon as the Getaway fares are sold, Singapore airlines is cheaper.
  • Punching in Narita shows connection via Hong Kong (why not group Tokyo airports like most other airlines).
  • Domestic Business connections are booking into Economy.

The flights have been on sale for less than 24 hours, and the ANA codeshares haven't been set up yet. I suspect many of these issues are teething problems and will be fixed in time.
 
Why only one J award seat? I can get 4 J to Hong Kong.this pushes this family of 4 off this route. Hope this is going to improve.
 
Why only one J award seat? I can get 4 J to Hong Kong.this pushes this family of 4 off this route. Hope this is going to improve.
There are only 20 J seats (quite possibly 19 as one might be crew rest for the pilots). And they will want to make money on the route...
 
These flights are now on sale. Here is the schedule:

VA77 BNE 11:40 - HND 20:00 (9h 20m, 332)
VA76 HND 21:45 - BNE 07:45+1 (9h 0m, 332)

I wonder if this results in any changes of the A330 on the domestic transcon routes, or if one A330 will pretty much just be stationed at BNE? There's not that much time there in Brisbane, but I guess an arriving domestic aircraft could take on the following international leg.

Before the times were announced, I think I someone here speculated it could result in more A330 flights on PER-BNE?
 
I wonder if this results in any changes of the A330 on the domestic transcon routes, or if one A330 will pretty much just be stationed at BNE? There's not that much time there in Brisbane, but I guess an arriving domestic aircraft could take on the following international leg.

Before the times were announced, I think I someone here speculated it could result in more A330 flights on PER-BNE?

The A330 is coming from the MEL-HKG route.

That said, the A330s would need to be rotated around the VA network every now and again. So you'd expect to see them popping up a little bit on routes like BNE-SYD or BNE-PER, I guess. (A330s are also used occasionally on BNE-NAN.)
 
Oh yes sorry, I didn't mean a capacity loss of an aircraft on the domestic routes, just was wondering if the routes might change to involve more BNE domestically (and how that might impact PER-SYD/MEL). I might have a look over the weekend and see if I notice any pattern changes.
 
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Re: the NH ANA and VA Virgin code share/FF agreement, that one is still in its early stages, being discussed I believe.
Just wasn't that long ago that they mentioned it.
Maybe give it 6 months to 12, possibly by then, the NH and VA agreement would be signed, and "down pat".
 
Oh yes sorry, I didn't mean a capacity loss of an aircraft on the domestic routes, just was wondering if the routes might change to involve more BNE domestically (and how that might impact PER-SYD/MEL). I might have a look over the weekend and see if I notice any pattern changes.
I expect it may be done on the weekly cycle in which there is normally a PER > BNE service on Friday/Saturday and VA470 BNE > PER on a Sunday is usually a VA470, so chances are this is when then will cycle through the aircraft.
The alternative maybe that they may do MEL<>BNE or SYD <>BNE for these purposes.
 
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Virgin Australia On Sale

*Tokyo on Sale Terms & Conditions:

Fares are on sale until 11:59pm AEST 16 December 2019 unless sold out prior. Travel periods and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

Fare prices are in AUD. All fares subject to availability. International return fares may vary with the addition of local taxes and charges or due to currency fluctuations. Domestic and international short haul fare prices are based on a one way economy Getaway fare unless otherwise stated. International long-haul fare price is based on a return Getaway fare unless otherwise stated. All fares are based on internet bookings. Price may vary until ticketed. A checked baggage allowance is included in your fare. For bookings on the phone or at the airport, add $40 for domestic and international short haul, and $70 for international long haul. All payments made by debit/credit card are subject to a payment surcharge. Changes and cancellations may be made by paying the applicable fare difference. Depending on your fare type, a fee may be payable for changing or cancelling your booking. See Virgin Australia’s Fees page for more information. Name changes are not permitted. There may be restrictions on your ability to get a refund under the fare rules for your flight but you may be entitled to a refund under the Australian Consumer Law in certain circumstances, check your fare rules for more information. Some flights may be operated by a partner airline. Different baggage allowances and conditions may apply to these flights. All fares are subject to the applicable fare rules and Virgin Australia Conditions of Carriage. Full terms and conditions at www.virginaustralia.com.
 
I've booked a J award to come home from the AFF SIN Lounge crawl in June.

The award pricing to MEL was the same as a BNE_MEL award added to a HND-BNE award.
 

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