Virgin Australia goes fully inclusive on PER flights

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Comoman

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Free hot meals and drinks ex-Perth from next month for all seats

"In a dramatic escalation of the war for Perth air passengers, Virgin Australia has announced that most flights from Perth to Sydney and Melbourne will be on its new A330 wide-body jets and economy passengers will get free hot meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment.The upgrade of services puts Virgin Australia head to head with Qantas - the first time Australia's biggest airline has faced direct competition since Ansett's demise.
Virgin will also increase its 737-800 flights with a full business class cabin from Brisbane to Perth from two to three a day on weekdays.
The airline says fare costs will not be affected.
Virgin Australia group executive Merren McArthur said enhancing the travel experience from the east coast to Perth was an important part of the strategy to become the airline of choice in Australia.
Perth was the fastest growing capital city for airlines with almost double-digit growth. Most cities have recorded flat numbers.
"We have recorded doubledigit growth every year for the past four years," Ms MacArthur said.
The airline will roll out the new product and services from September 26.
The economy upgrade is a major shift for Virgin Australia, which previously charged for food, drinks and in-flight entertainment.
Like Qantas, the airline will offer free alcoholic drinks after midday on transcontinental flights.
To support the significant push into the Perth market, Virgin Australia is em- ploying another 200 flight attendants for its Perth base.
"Over the past 12 months, we have increased our WA workforce by 30 per cent," Ms McArthur said.
The airline has 160 return services to Perth every week from domestic and international destinations."

Source:
Virgin turns up heat with meals, drinks - The West Australian
 
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Re: Free hot meals and drinks ex-Perth from next month for all seats

They just keep getting better and better!

Hopefully the huge capacity will lead to regular happy hour discounting again!
 
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Great move! However, it creates more of that product inconsistancy. Surely we can llook forward to VA continuing to roll out this full service inflight experience across their network to ensure a seamless experience? Creating a 'CityFlyer' type branded network with such a product would be a way to introduce this into their complete mainline network.
Thanks for continuing to evolve VA! Finally we have a real full service airline alternative.
 
As long as they push the "Coast to Coast" tagline/branding people should get the picture. Then again I heard a wild rumour (and this is a rumour) that it's a test for the whole network. Time will tell.
All we need now are spirits. :)
 
Another step towards Virgin actually being a full service carrier!

Great news, but this confirms that that A330 won't be used on BNE-PER flights as they are adding another 737-800 to the schedule...

Virgin just need to bite the bullet and add food/drinks to every flight, their prices have risen enough to surely cover this by now....

Also fix IFE, which doesn't include tablets - Unfortunately this one won't happen
 
Another step towards Virgin actually being a full service carrier!

Great news, but this confirms that that A330 won't be used on BNE-PER flights as they are adding another 737-800 to the schedule...

Virgin just need to bite the bullet and add food/drinks to every flight, their prices have risen enough to surely cover this by now....

Also fix IFE, which doesn't include tablets - Unfortunately this one won't happen

A330s are being used to BNE as traffic grows, just not regularly yet. As for the IFE and fleet changes, an update on the 28th can be expected, although the competition is going tablets now as well which may change plans.
 
Great move! However, it creates more of that product inconsistancy. Surely we can llook forward to VA continuing to roll out this full service inflight experience across their network to ensure a seamless experience? Creating a 'CityFlyer' type branded network with such a product would be a way to introduce this into their complete mainline network.
Thanks for continuing to evolve VA! Finally we have a real full service airline alternative.

Prices will sky-rocket if they go full service.

Flexi fares are already usually much more expensive than QF standard Y fares.
 
Prices will sky-rocket if they go full service.

Flexi fares are already usually much more expensive than QF standard Y fares.

They can't really put prices much higher, like you said they are really pushing the limits with their current offerings.....
 
I heard somewhere that they will introduce full catering when their average yield reaches a certain, already determined amount.
But that's just a rumor


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i can't find any mention of 'checked baggage' being included.. will wait to see after virgin updates its 'inclusions' window on its website...but i am swaying towards 'checked baggage' NOT being included in these 'coast to coast' services...so for the majority of pax who will travel 'coast to coast'..it won't be 'fully inclusive'.. also as a side note i will feel sorry for the economy F/As on these flights...it will most certainly be a culture shock for them to adjust to the different demands/requirements! of a 'complimentary meal and beverage' service for 200+ pax on a 3-5hr flight..good luck!!
 
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When they say "on the 26th" does that mean flights on that day will be included?

Looks like I'll be doing SYD-PER 26/09 and returning later that week...
 
I've also noticed that J fares to/from PER have come down over the Christmas period (was $1199 last week one way, and are currently at $999) as I was booking my trip home for the holidays.
 
Today, full meal service for C2C services
End of the year, full meal service for rest of network
End of next year, Star Alliance?

;)
 
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