United Airlines new Virgin Australia/Velocity Partner

[nathrek]

While I think Delta has the better product and service, the United hubs are in much better locations for where I like to travel. Looking forward to flying direct to Houston from Sydney or Chicago via LA rather than having to route through Detroit or Atlanta.

My last trip from Melbourne to LAX to Detroit to Chicago in economy SUUUUUUUUCKED.

Though now that I've moved over to Perth I'll probably end up routing through Asia resulting in 4 separate legs again

 

[Saab34]

Not sure what the relationship is like however Jayne Hrdlicka did work with the now Air NZ boss Greg Foran, whilst at Woolworths early last decade. She was on the Board and he was Woolworths CEO.

The Virgin CFO of today also was Greg’s CFO at Woolworths.

So there is considerable relationships between the two carriers executive teams. Not sure if that will turn into something of substance here.

 

[HS-TQE]

Another link is that Woolworths is currently partnered directly to QFF (through EDR) whereas Coles is indirectly partnered with VA/VFF via Flybuys.

Could this lead to a swap in airlines with the supermarkets (VFF to EDR and QFF to FlyBuys) in the future, of course it's unlikely, but who knows?

 

[Saab34]

The only day that will happen is it Woolworths purchased a stake in Virgin. Now stranger things have happened (Woolies did come out last week nearly $1b to purchase Priceline), however doubtful they would blow multiple billions on a airline.

But yes the relationship Coles/Virgin needs to be improved.

 

[PaulllM]

While I think Delta has the better product and service, the United hubs are in much better locations for where I like to travel. Looking forward to flying direct to Houston from Sydney or Chicago via LA rather than having to route through Detroit or Atlanta.

My last trip from Melbourne to LAX to Detroit to Chicago in economy SUUUUUUUUCKED.

Though now that I've moved over to Perth I'll probably end up routing through Asia resulting in 4 separate legs again

The option to avoid the cesspool of LAX for SFO direct from Aus is the biggest win out of this partnership. I only flew on UA once in 2017 and my memory of it was a Jetstaresque fitout and no entertainment streaming options but overall a good flight.

I will miss DL, their customer service was top notch and their crew had a vibe that felt similar to that of the VA crew. What this also says is VA longhall is unlikely to ever make it back which is a shame. Atleast we have SQ

 

[jakeseven7]

I will miss DL, their customer service was top notch and their crew had a vibe that felt similar to that of the VA crew. What this also says is VA longhall is unlikely to ever make it back which is a shame. Atleast we have SQ

Yes the crusted on 'I'm here to do the bare minimum then bolt back to the galley to goss' UA service feels off brand, but I guess what can they really do. Delta clearly wasn't working out. UA is better than nothing and hopefully this puts them on the long track to Star Alliance and building a stronger international partner network that is actually seamless rather than the random patchwork alliance that you had to fight to get your benefits on.

If they are going to be a domestic only airline, they need a strong international network of partnerships to really work Velocity to its full potential.

 

[QF WP]

I agree - only ever taken 3 sectors on UA in my life and don’t have any desire to fly them when heading to the USA in the future. May even push me back to QF or simply use AS to head up to SEA/GEG

 

[Mr H]

I have no great interest in the US, but if I were going there I would not be heading to Mississippi so Delta is no great loss to me. Glad the partnership is with a national carrier, not a regional one. Never understood why United planes are blue, btw, as United play in red.

 

[Zanzara]

Although with DL, domestic lounge access has been reduced, mirroring same rules for Skyteam partners (no access without same day international connection). If UA partnership mirrors what it provides to star alliance partners - domestic lounge access will also be provided on purely domestic itineraries within the US (which it what DL used to offer VA SG/WPs). So swings and roundabouts. Some might see that as an advantage when traveling within the

UA lounges are not compatible to DL. Unfortunately, Polaris are as rare as hens teeth. Comparing US Red Carpet club lounges is a bit like comparing a Suzuki Swift with a Bentley.

 

[dajop]

UA lounges are not compatible to DL. Unfortunately, Polaris are as rare as hens teeth. Comparing US Red Carpet club lounges is a bit like comparing a Suzuki Swift with a Bentley.

You are missing the point of my original post. It isn't about quality - but access. Under the new rules around the DL partnership, it is a comparison between access or not. If doing a standalone domestic flight in US (for example a 3 day layover in LAX enroute from SYD to JFK,, or standalone connection from ORD-ATL-MSY, a shiny VA WP card no longer gives access to DL lounges like it did under VA1. But under the UA arrangement it looks like such access will be restored (if it is anything like star alliance partner rules).

From VA's perspective, the competition is with AA lounges - not DL lounges. And having a program that does not grant access to lounges during domestic US travel is almost certainly not competitive with what QFF offers.

Your comparison is more - comparing a Suzuki Swift you can use all the time, to a Bentley you can use occassionally, but when you can't you have to walk.

 

[serfty]

If doing a standalone domestic flight in US (for example a 3 day layover in LAX enroute from SYD to JFK,, or standalone connection from ORD-ATL-MSY, a shiny VA WP card no longer gives access to DL lounges like it did under VA1. But under the UA arrangement it looks like such access will be restored (if it is anything like star alliance partner rules).

Yes, with DL VA SkyClub Access was the Exception when compared with Skyteam rules, often confusing those staffing the entry.

My experience as a NZ *G was the opposite when travelling UA (and USair back then).

 

[BNEFlyer]

Yes, with DL VA SkyClub Access was the Exception when compared with Skyteam rules, often confusing those staffing the entry.

My experience as a NZ *G was the opposite when travelling UA (and USair back then).

USAirways merged into AA. Continental merged into UA.

 

[Mattg]

USAirways merged into AA. Continental merged into UA.

I believe @serfty was referring to the fact his Star Alliance status via Air NZ got him into the United and US Airways lounges since both UA/US were Star Alliance members.

 

[Scarlett]

First order of business: UA, get your flights back into CNS.

And, any know if UA are allowed on carriage to/from Japan? They could use VAs HND slot to fly BNE-HND-CONUS, or even to HNL. CNS-GUM? CNS-HNL? Other options from BNE to connect into the UA network?

 

[henrus]

They could use VAs HND slot to fly BNE-HND-CONUS

VA's slot has to be used by an Australian airline otherwise it's likely they'd hand it over to NH who'd be more than interested in snapping up a prized HND slot.

UA used to fly from CNS-GUM twice weekly with a 737 but pulled out in 2015 citing poor performance. It's a route that even VA could pick up (they've got the aircraft capable) providing more options into Asia and the Pacific. From Guam there are onward connections to 4 destinations in Japan, Honolulu, Manila and several in Micronesia. It could even be possible to fly Brisbane to Guam which is a slightly shorter route than VA's longest 737 flight the SYD-DPS.

An alternative is also BNE-GUM-HND operated by VA. They'd just need to get traffic rights between Guam and Japan which shouldn't be too difficult to do given Jeju Air and Air Busan, both South Korean low cost carriers have been able to do it. In the short term this would allow them to kick off Japan flights if the sudden need arises to use the slot (ie they're told use it or lose it).

 

[HS-TQE]

VA's HND slot would have to be handed back to the IASC in turn handed back to the Haneda/Japan regulators as a formality.

Although likely the Haneda slot coordinators will reallocate the slot back to Australia, allowing QF to reapply and gain VA's slot to consolidate MEL/BNE to a daily each to HND and for QF to close NRT.

 

[jakeseven7]

VA's HND slot would have to be handed back to the IASC in turn handed back to the Haneda/Japan regulators as a formality.

Although likely the Haneda slot coordinators will reallocate the slot back to Australia, allowing QF to reapply and gain VA's slot to consolidate MEL/BNE to a daily each to HND and for QF to close NRT.

Yes it’s highly likely to be handed to QF (if they want it). I think VA2 probably wouldn’t even care… it’s a lot of money to get back into medium / long haul and enter a market where you have zero brand recognition and try and make some money…

They’d probably do better just focussing on carefully on small hop 737 destinations and slowly building, profitably….

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Agree…. But we can only hope this kicks off something bigger and better…

*A you mean?

 

[HS-TQE]

Queensland Government taxpayer funded chartered/leased UA aircraft from BNE to SFO and/or LAX within the next 6 months?

It's definitely something the Premier would do despite her past mixed record of subsidising international carriers to start BNE. The standouts being Air Canada (the few successes) and standout failures being Air China and Thai AirAsia.

 

[openseat]

Used to fly United eons ago. Even did a "baht-run" in early 2001 (I think) and made 1K. UA went downhill considerably after 2001 and that's when I moved to OW and QF for international. I'd be interested to see how this tie up works.