VA A330's almost completely gone from PER-BNE/SYD/MEL during June '17?

[Moopere]

VA also had delays to certification of their business seats as they are at a greater angle that the off the shelf product. This enables them to be fitted to 737 aircraft. Make what you will of that.

That would quite ok and might make the 737 a viable option ... in J at least Still no good in Y over the longer flights imho, but maybe thats just me.

 

[soorox]

Once MEL-HKG starts, VA will pull the A330's from BNE-PER unfortunately, not sure if there are still some BNE-SYD runs on them though.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Just read this on Australian Aviation:
S&P Global Ratings lifts Virgin Australia outlook from negative to stable

Not looking great for A330 transcon flights in the future:

Further, Thomas argued the use of A330-200s – of which Virgin has six – for its venture into Hong Kong and, eventually China would also be good for the company.

“To us, they were tough decisions but they were the right decisions to make, in particular making the 737 the core of our domestic operation,” Thomas told Australian Aviation on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual general meeting in Cancun, Mexico on June 4.


“You take a short-term hit to do that.


“We’re going to feel the impact of that for the first half of FY18 but in the second half of FY18 hopefully we will have more than the five flights to Hong Kong each week if we can get some more slots in the November schedule so that will give us more A330s flying to Hong Kong which we think is good for that fleet.

 

[Justchecking]

Lets see, long range aircraft fitted out for long haul flying and they suddenly disappear off the domestic schedule, is this a surprise?

 

[Jurahn]

So if they pull the A330s off the transcon routes, it will be interesting to see how VA is then going to service the new "12 guaranteed business class seats" arrangement for Eagles and Dockers players from next season: Travel upgrade for WA clubs under new CBA - AFL.com.au .

 

[andyhui01]

He did hint that but I suspect the narrow 737 fuselage will rule out anything too fancy like a JetBlue Mint-style product or a herringbone layout. I'd expect to see leg rests and a lowering of the price instead.

While we're talking about J, it's worth noting that in Y, VA and QF 737s offer less shoulder room than JQ or TT 320s - something to consider when your flight's >3 hours and you may only spend 30 minutes in the lounge!

Is the 73 fuselage that much smaller than the A320/1? AA fitted herringbone seat into a their narrowbody. Has anyone done it in a 73?

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Lets see, long range aircraft fitted out for long haul flying and they suddenly disappear off the domestic schedule, is this a surprise?

Not really, but doesn't stop me wanting them kept on transcon routes (I'm PER based). I'd also expect they'd still want a domestic product which can compete with the QF domestic product?

 

[TomVexille]

Is the 73 fuselage that much smaller than the A320/1? AA fitted herringbone seat into a their narrowbody. Has anyone done it in a 73?

I think it's about 7in different, or just over an inch per Y seat

 

[Bagpuss]

So if they pull the A330s off the transcon routes, it will be interesting to see how VA is then going to service the new "12 guaranteed business class seats" arrangement for Eagles and Dockers players form next season: Travel upgrade for WA clubs under new CBA - AFL.com.au .

Travel on two different planes. It is a "risk" having all players on one aircraft Brazil grieves for football team killed in killed plane crash as bodies arrive home for a massive funeral

 

[Jurahn]

Travel on two different planes. It is a "risk" having all players on one aircraft Brazil grieves for football team killed in killed plane crash as bodies arrive home for a massive funeral

It's a "risk" that just about every sporting team takes though - and it's not actually clear whether it's 12 guaranteed seats between the two teams, or 12 seats for EACH team if both are playing away games. Either way, if they're going to be using 737s for transcon, that pretty much wipes out J availability for anyone else on those flights.

ETA: Just found the full pay deal details on Fox Sports and the Fremantle FC websites, and under "Other specific key outcomes from the new CBA" is:

12 business class airfares per flight for WA-based teams when doing east/west travel

so THAT'S not going to work on a 737!

 

[Justchecking]

Not really, but doesn't stop me wanting them kept on transcon routes (I'm PER based). I'd also expect they'd still want a domestic product which can compete with the QF domestic product?

They may want it yes, but Virgin aren't hugely cashed up and I guess there will be compromises on what they want and what's feasible for them. Unless QF are running a tight schedule of back to back 330's transcon then I guess one could argue their 737 offering is a competitive to QF's 737 offering in J.

 

[Tallfont]

Just saw this thread.

I have been flying VA on the PER>BNE>PER route around 8-10 times a year since 2013. My flights are usually the "red-eye" out of Perth (generally VA473) and the evening flight out of Brisbane (generally VA474).

During 2013 and through to the middle of 2014 it was always A330 both ways.
From mid 2014 the B737 started coming in on the PER>BNE sector but retained A330 coming home.
Then from mid 2016 it became almost consistently B737 both ways. A330 on a couple of BNE>PER sectors.
I have not had any flights during 2017 on an A330 on these sectors.

I book and pay Business and as many have said there is no comparison at the front between a B737 and the A330. And they charge the same price!
On a recent daytime BNE>PER B737 in May with my wife we were given the lunch menu. My wife made her choice and was told that the meal she chose was only available on the A330! But heh, you charge the same price regardless of aircraft. At least reduce the B737 price for reduced service as many other contributors have said.

So, I have decided to try QF next time. Good luck to VA on the MEL>HKG route. I am off to the opposition!

Steve

 

[pauly7]

VA aren't filling the A330s on trans con so who can really blame them!!

 

[ozstamps]

VA aren't filling the A330s on trans con so who can really blame them!!

You know this how?

Flew MEL-PER and PER-SYD this month, and both nearly full. The PER-SYD was 100% full in Biz. Lovely meal too I might add.

BNE was always a mistake to roll out, (head office politics for sure) small city to small city, but MEL and SYD might well be profitable.

Virgin spent a gazillion rolling out "The Business" and will keep them as a mainline boast product IMHO. If China comes onstream later, well the ball game might change, but nothing to stop the planes doing PER-SYD-CHINA if sked right.

 

[cory]

VA aren't filling the A330s on trans con so who can really blame them!!

20/20 in J when I flew Mel-Per 3 weeks ago on a Monday 12:40pm flight.

 

[Jurahn]

VA aren't filling the A330s on trans con so who can really blame them!!

Flew SYD-PER in April (Tuesday 9.35am A330 flight) and only 2 empty seats in J.

 

[pauly7]

20/20 in J when I flew Mel-Per 3 weeks ago on a Monday 12:40pm flight.

Flew SYD-PER in April (Tuesday 9.35am A330 flight) and only 2 empty seats in J.

Sorry wasn't commenting on J. Was more a broad comment on yield and route viability with a wide body, hence the decision to move them off into hopefully more profitable ventures in Asia and the decline of trans con.

My J flights trans con about 2/3 times a month see VA J about half full. Think a lot of people upgrade as well judging from the calls in the lounge?

 

[Justchecking]

I'd also tend to think most of the seats in J are upgrades rather than full fares. I think it's a popular seat and aircraft for an upgrade not so much for the asking price though.

 

[eastwest101]

Sorry wasn't commenting on J. Was more a broad comment on yield and route viability with a wide body, hence the decision to move them off into hopefully more profitable ventures in Asia and the decline of trans con.

I wouldn't be so sure of that - once more mainline Chinese carriers start services to MEL and with both CX and QF already established competitors and with a variable and somewhat dodgy timetable I think VA are going to get a hiding in HGK. If things go pear-shaped with the Chinese economy in the future things will get interesting for them.

I predict in 12 months time the VA yield managers will be wistfully recollecting the yields they used to get on Australia transcon.

VA are kidding themselves if they think their B738 J class is going to compete with QFs A330 services for high yield pax (if QF maintain their A330 transcon services which is not necessarily a given).

 

[Tallfont]

VA are kidding themselves if they think their B738 J class is going to compete with QFs A330 services for high yield pax (if QF maintain their A330 transcon services which is not necessarily a given).

Well said sir!