VA to fly to SIN [Rumour?]

[drewbles]

Another rumour according to a lovely 332 FA today would be VA would like to start their INT prescence beginning at their partners hubs. Believe it or not is totally up to the individual. Rumours here and there can be fun, what's even better is when they start happening

Galley FM is probably the *least* reliable source of gossip/rumour/hearsay/conjecture though. It's even worse than pprune.

 

[LiamR]

Ah, we got that off some flight crew today so was just updating! I would take your word over the FAs though

Cabin crew don't need to be certified to operate international flights. You will find short haul cabin crew operating DPS, HKT and CCK and possibly any other international flights operated by a 737 or EJET.

There is however a possibility of an issue with operating certificates. The current A332s are being operated under the domestic AOC which is now majority intl owned (Virgin, NZ, EY and SQ). If VA want to send the 332s internationally they may be required to put them on the International AOC (Vaustralia) depending on traffic rights.

The cabin crew are certified to fly the asian domestic short haul routes to DPS and HKT.

That sounds about right like the conversation with a couple of flight crew today! The 2 new 332s are registered to operate internationally and will have in flight wifi system available...but that depends on VA if they want to put it in use. XFI was originally a kingfisher order but was offered to VA, crew can't wait to operate it as it has full crew rest facilities.

I was hinting along the lines that crew may need to have a new EBA first, allowing them to work the longer hours, SIN is a considerably longer flight than DPS/HKT, as far as I know the current aircraft were certified for international flying, it's carrying life rafts and other survival equipment.

I really wouldn't pay attention to what the crew say onboard, half of their fun is making up rumours and seeing how long until they appear on AFF Nobody knows anything.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

half of their fun is making up rumours

I always say, if you haven't heard a good rumour by 10.00, start one!

 

[penegal]

...half of their fun is making up rumours...

I always say, if you haven't heard a good rumour by 10.00, start one!

LOL... so it was you lot who started this?

I have heard the rumour that VA would fly 332s to SIN a few times. This is easily within the aircraft's operational range.



I am still mildly bemused that 332 flight crew operate turnarounds to PER, but the cabin crew EBA is such that they can only operate a one-way, so the aircraft gets the same flight crew and different cabin crews. Now you could argue about this to the cows come home, but it is an interesting observation nonetheless.

 

[Bundy Bear]

You are more likely to see a VA 332 in DPS than SIN.

You could drop out a frequency or 2 on MEL-PER and send the flight MEL-DPS.

 

[markis10]

You are more likely to see a VA 332 in DPS than SIN.

You could drop out a frequency or 2 on MEL-PER and send the flight MEL-DPS.

I thought only Lion Air aircraft could be found IN DPS, versus at DPS :shock:

FWIW I agree DPS would seem to be more logical given the competition, although Garuda are ramping up with new planes and higher frequencies, so the problem may well be similar be it SIN or DPS!

 

[penegal]

I could see them swapping the 737 services to HKT and DPS to 332s.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

They should do MEL-BKK, be nice to have a second full service airline on the route, MEL-HKT might work too with A330. I know they tried HKT with 777 but the A330 may be more suitable. At least it would be something nobody else offers at the moment.

 

[docjames]

Adding to me earlier post - a deal for VA to do the SYD-HKG-SYD leg for VS, or add MEL-HKG-MEL connecting to VS in HKG would be on my wish list too.

 

[The Rok]

PER-HKG to connect to VS services would be good!

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Like to see VA flying to SIN, particularly ex BNE. The SQ offering from BNE lets SIN down but in saying that it is becoming more and more difficult
to find reward seats BNE to SIN on what seems to be a fairly well used route.

 

[dajop]

Like to see VA flying to SIN, particularly ex BNE. The SQ offering from BNE lets SIN down but in saying that it is becoming more and more difficult
to find reward seats BNE to SIN on what seems to be a fairly well used route.

Just curious, how VA using the same aircraft type, with the same J seats (OK, different colour scheme) and well I assume similar Y seats, going to improve the offering (I assume you mean the product offering, or do you mean the rewards offering?)

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Just curious, how VA using the same aircraft type, with the same J seats (OK, different colour scheme) and well I assume similar Y seats, going to improve the offering (I assume you mean the product offering, or do you mean the rewards offering?)

SQ are using A330's ex BNE with "flat" angled seats in J (Medium Haul Business Class ) VA have 777's with full flat seats however smaller in dimensions but I was really
thinking of more rewards offerings.
Searching SQ awards ex BNE often has availability ex SIN but shows no availability or wait list for the BNE SIN leg and of course there is also the great debate on Boing V Airbus !
I must admit to a personal preference for the Boing product particularly the 777.
I guess it comes down to price, avaliability and perceived value but I am leaning to VA more and more these days.

 

[markis10]

SQ are using A330's ex BNE with "flat" angled seats in J (Medium Haul Business Class ) VA have 777's with full flat seats however smaller in dimensions but I was really
thinking of more rewards offerings.
Searching SQ awards ex BNE often has availability ex SIN but shows no availability or wait list for the BNE SIN leg and of course there is also the great debate on Boing V Airbus !
I must admit to a personal preference for the Boing product particularly the 777.
I guess it comes down to price, avaliability and perceived value but I am leaning to VA more and more these days.

Cannot see any more 777 routes, they are fully tasked, so its A332 which as already pointed out in J is the same config. FWIW I have had no issue getting awards with SQ ex BNE through AVIANCA, my next trip is on Ekka day and the 9.10 flight is on offer, I would be surprised if SQ offer better award availability to partners than their own customers.

 

[Fruitcake]

If VA does begin operating to SIN it's very unlikely they would use 777s. The 777 fleet is pretty tightly utilised (14 weekly services to LAX, 3 weekly to AUH, 1 weekly AUH-KUL) and there are none on order. Whereas there are still a couple of A330s to come.

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Hi Markis - Yes often seats released closer to the day but we must book well ahead (at least 6 months ) due to business commitments - just like to dream about 777's.
Tell me more about AVIANCA.

 

[markis10]

Hi Markis - Yes often seats released closer to the day but we must book well ahead (at least 6 months ) due to business commitments - just like to dream about 777's.
Tell me more about AVIANCA.

I have no issues 6 months out, in fact its wide open for all flights, ie:

Flight 1 - February, 11th, 2014 Brisbane (BNE) to Singapore (SIN)
Airline	Flights	Departs	Arrives	Duration	Stops	Cabin
	SQ256	Brisbane (BNE) 09:10	Singapore (SIN) 15:10	08:00	0	Business
	SQ236	Brisbane (BNE) 14:40	Singapore (SIN) 20:40	08:00	0	Business
	SQ246	Brisbane (BNE) 23:45	Singapore (SIN) 05:45	08:00	0	Business

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....programs/avianca-life-miles-new-ff-40866.html

 

[grubbidok]

I wonder if any new services will be from Perth. I remember reading that with the new terminal there were some plans to make Perth more of a VA hub. I'm not sure if this relates solely to their Skywest acquisition or extends internationally. I would imaging that for most of Australia being forced through transit in Perth to fly internationally would be little different from being forced through transit in Sydney (as QF do).

 

[Isochronous]

If VA does begin operating to SIN it's very unlikely they would use 777s. The 777 fleet is pretty tightly utilised (14 weekly services to LAX, 3 weekly to AUH, 1 weekly AUH-KUL) and there are none on order. Whereas there are still a couple of A330s to come.

VA flies AUH-KUL?

 

[markis10]

VA flies AUH-KUL?

Leased to EY.