Virgin and Guam

[brad330]

After doing some research on Guam I realised that Virgins partner Delta flies Guam-Nagoya/Tokyo/Osaka. Would a B737-800 work flying Guam-Cairns/Brisbane to connect with these flights?

1025 CNS-1505 GUM 73H 3/4 PW
1605 GUM-2035 CNS 73H 3/4 PW

0855 BNE-1505 GUM 73H 3/4 PW
1605 GUM-2205 BNE 73H 3/4 PW

Connecting with Deltas 757 operation at Guam

0925 NRT-1410 GUM
1000 NRT-1445 GUM
1855 NRT-2345 GUM
1025 GUM-1315 NRT
1545 GUM-1845 NRT
1605 GUM-1905 NRT

1005 KIX-1450 GUM
1640 GUM-1930 KIX

0955 NGO-1435 GUM
1620 GUM-1910 NGO

 

[smit0847]

Im a bit confused by this post - are you saying you would like to see a new DL BNE/CNS-GUM service for another option to Japan, or are you just wanting to go to GUM?

As I understand it the UA/CO offering from CNS-GUM is very, very ordinary so Im not sure there is the demand on this route?

 

[777]

I think if it made any sense at all it would be for DL not VA. It's a long shot either way though.

 

[docjames]

The demand is not high, so I doubt it would be a money-maker for VA.

DL could contemplate it doing NRT-GUM-CNS or NRT-GUM-BNE but there's still unlikely to be demand, especially to fill a 752. Maybe twice a week but then crewing would be expensive given likely turn around in BNE/CNS and long gap between flights.

I think you're stuck with only UA's service for a looooong time.

 

[dk4]

1025 CNS-1505 GUM 73H 3/4 PW
1605 GUM-2035 CNS 73H 3/4 PW

Interesting opportunity?! Would certainly show just how close a relationship VA has with DL if this happened.

Based on your times, VA could do it with the same crew both ways (so no layover costs in GUM) from CNS (where they don't have a base(?), but they do have staff on layovers, so adds an extra overnight to their CNS trip).

But an issue might be passenger transit times in GUM. What you suggest might be acceptable from an AU international airside MCT perspective, however international transiting through a part of the USA often requires more time. (e.g. Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia notes - "Transit passengers (except from Honolulu) are also inspected by the USCBP before being allowed to proceed to their connecting gate. However, since there is no need to clear Guam customs, no baggage claim is necessary.") So the VA aircraft would probably need to arrive earlier and leave later, spending a little longer on the ground for the connections to work both ways (like DL's planes do).

People in SYD are unlikely to want to fly SYD-CNS-GUM-japan (or in reverse) so no real issue that it wouldn't match well for same day SYD connections, but other Qld locations out of CNS might, due to a more direct routing.

 

[Justchecking]

Why would anyone bother with japan via Guam? Unless you wanted a layover in Guam for diving or something.

 

[Fruitcake]

Why would anyone bother with japan via Guam? Unless you wanted a layover in Guam for diving or something.

Since QF withdrew from CNS the only full-service international carriers left flying to Japan are UA/CO via GUM and CX via HKG. I've never found a local that catches that flight but apparently UA does alright.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Why would anyone bother with japan via Guam? Unless you wanted a layover in Guam for diving or something.

and thats the only reason to visit micronesia. I did this years ago, a real eye opener and a lovely paradise, but still off the beaten track

 

[markis10]

Cannot see much interest in the route being shared by a competitor with this traffic:

May-12	United Airlines	Guam	9	620	1,169	8	642	1,046
Jun-12	United Airlines	Guam	8	516	984	9	629	1,107
Jul-12	United Airlines	Guam	9	749	1,231	9	700	1,231
Aug-12	United Airlines	Guam	9	590	1,107	9	725	1,107
Sep-12	United Airlines	Guam	9	721	1,169	8	713	1,015
Oct-12	United Airlines	Guam	8	827	1,046	9	685	1,200
	AIRLINE	COUNTRY	FLTS IN	PAX IN	SEATS IN	FLTS OUT	PAX OUT	SEATS OUT

 

[kevrosmith]

Why would anyone bother with japan via Guam? Unless you wanted a layover in Guam for diving or something.

Guam itself is (used to be a few years ago in any case) quite a popular place for Japanese tourists. The flights from GUM to CNS had quite a high proportion of Japanese pax, so it must be advertised as a way to get to CNS in the Japanese market. With the growth in the military bases in GUM in the last few years, CNS was hoping to grab some of the military R&R market too.... "Australia, a safe place for American military to have a holiday". Don't know if it took off or not.

 

[amaroo]

Had a holiday in SPN & GUM back in the late 80's. The place was chock-a-block full of crew cuts & 4x4's on monster truck wheels.

It was a good destination for WWII history, wrecks & bus loads of young Japanese girls on holiday - the natural beauty of the place was impressive.

We flew Continental Airlines out of BNE.....the plane was ancient. The stand up bar/lounge was good

 

[yohy?!]

Had a holiday in SPN & GUM back in the late 80's. The place was chock-a-block full of crew cuts & 4x4's on monster truck wheels.

It was a good destination for WWII history, wrecks & bus loads of young Japanese girls on holiday - the natural beauty of the place was impressive.

We flew Continental Airlines out of BNE.....the plane was ancient. The stand up bar/lounge was good

if it's rebranded-continental micronesia crew now operating the UA CNS service these days you could possible travel again and bump into some of the FAs from your original flight!

 

[DanziM]

I fly CNS - GUM route often on my way to LAX. The flights are on 737's twice weekly, monday 1am and friday 1am and are totally choccas. 60% of guests are Japanese on their way home.

United really have made something out of this, and i can fly to CNS-LAX via GUM and HNL for $1100. There has been recent talk of a daily service of CNS to GUM in our dry season and 3/4 per week in the wetseason upping from the twice weekly at the moment.

Clearly there is a market for this, and alot of airlines a missing an opportunity, especially a chinese route from CNS. IF VA could offer a GUM service they would open up a fantastic travel opportunity, be it from CNS or BNE.

 

[browski]

You can also fly to GUM, one stop from SYD/MEL via Manila or one-stop on China Airlines from BNE/SYD via Taipei.

 

[brad330]

looks like Jetstar may have beaten Virgin to it! Shhhh.... Jetstar to commence Cairns-Guam route? | flymefunky.com

 

[777]

looks like Jetstar may have beaten Virgin to it! Shhhh.... Jetstar to commence Cairns-Guam route? | flymefunky.com

Would be a logical Jetstar Japan/ Asia route if they have the rights to fly onwards from Guam-Cairns.

 

[brad330]

Would be a logical Jetstar Japan/ Asia route if they have the rights to fly onwards from Guam-Cairns.

CNS-GUM-NGO
CNS-GUM-cough
CNS-GUM-CTS

The possibilities are endles

 

[jetlagger]

I look forward to the possible introduction of additional access flights to GUM.
The destination sounds enticing enough for my watersport interests.

 

[haydensydney]

I would be keen to visit too, it's such a unique destination - something different to the Fiji/Bali/Thailand bogan trio

 

[jetlagger]

I would be keen to visit too, it's such a unique destination - something different to the Fiji/Bali/Thailand bogan trio

Oh.. but I'm a non bogan, but still visit & enjoy
all of the above.. Just avoid Kuta & Patong
Please keep us updated about GUM updates hayden.