Virgin Australia and Air NZ to Form New Partnership

[AustraliaPoochie]

Its not on all routes tho, only Aus - NZ.
So, if you for eg, wanted or needed to get to Canada/US, its still better to fly AC/UA.

 

[HS-TQE]

Its not on all routes tho, only Aus - NZ.
So, if you for eg, wanted or needed to get to Canada/US, its still better to fly AC/UA.

And it's not likely to extend to the USA routes in the foreseeable future etc in the future when VA has UA and AC.

 

[AIRwin]

ACCC proposes authorisation for Virgin Australia to sell and market Air New Zealand’s trans-Tasman services

The ACCC has issued a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation to Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand for proposed unilateral code sharing arrangements on trans-Tasman routes.

www.accc.gov.au

 

[AIRwin]

ACCC proposes authorisation for Virgin Australia to sell and market Air New Zealand’s trans-Tasman services

The ACCC has issued a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation to Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand for proposed unilateral code sharing arrangements on trans-Tasman routes.

www.accc.gov.au

 

[simmomelb]

This might be of interest to some: “This proposed code sharing arrangement has the potential to increase ticketing choices for Australians travelling to New Zealand, and provide Velocity frequent flyer program benefits and international lounge access for eligible Virgin Australia customers,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

 

[Happy Dude]

I'm interested. Now that my QR status via VA status match is not OWE, any trans-tasman trip can be VA earners both ways, not just on the way back. Provided they sort out lounges/benefits.

 

[Mwenenzi]

This might be of interest to some: “This proposed code sharing arrangement has the potential to increase ticketing choices for Australians travelling to New Zealand, and provide Velocity frequent flyer program benefits and international lounge access for eligible Virgin Australia customers,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

VA could have already provided lounge access, for eligible passengers, for its (few) international flights if it wanted to.
Just a simple commercial agreement with an air side lounge operator.

 

[simmomelb]

VA could have already provided lounge access, for eligible passengers, for its (few) international flights if it wanted to.
Just a simple commercial agreement with an air side lounge operator.

Of course, this come down to cost, but this changes everything, as it's no doubt, far more feasible this way.

 

[HS-TQE]

This might be of interest to some: “This proposed code sharing arrangement has the potential to increase ticketing choices for Australians travelling to New Zealand, and provide Velocity frequent flyer program benefits and international lounge access for eligible Virgin Australia customers,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

IIRC this was stated in the initial submission. VA proposes to buy seats and 'lounge access' for eligible J customers on NZ operated services to AKL, CHC and WLG. This does not extend to VA's own services to ZQN and other destinations.

If anything this is also good for NZ and QF as it eliminates a (former) competitor as well as NZ getting commision from VA for reselling NZ seats under the VA code under the one way (unilateral) codeshare arrangement.