Virgin Australia partners with South African Airways

[Fruitcake]

Virgin Australia partners with South African Airways - Australian Business Traveller

Virgin Australia will partner with South African Airways (SAA) through a new code share agreement.

Commenting on the move today, SAA’s Country Manager for Australasia Tim Clyde-Smith said the new agreement would offer more travel choices to customers travelling from Australia to Africa.“This is an exciting development for SAA in the Australian market. The new code share means tickets are on sale from tomorrow, 7 February, and are for travel from 11 February,” Tim said.

 

[anat0l]

So now VA finally gets a foothold on the virtually monopolised Australia / South Africa market. Quite invaluable for them.

I wonder if SA will terminate the partnership with QF. That's quite a few codeshares on that PER/JNB sector.

 

[williamsf1]

I think the AUS BT got this wrong

Virgin Australia travellers will also be able to earn Velocity frequent flyer points and status credits on SAA flights.

I Understand the codeshare agreement is only SA on VA not VA on SA flights ........

 

[anat0l]

I think the AUS BT got this wrong

Virgin Australia travellers will also be able to earn Velocity frequent flyer points and status credits on SAA flights.

I Understand the codeshare agreement is only SA on VA not VA on SA flights ........

What? It's not a bilateral? What's going on then?

VA would be silly to negotiate this partnership without reciprocal earning - this has been a key feature of all of their agreements.

 

[mushypeas]

Why don't they just join star alliance already !

 

[lang_13]

VA to partner with South African Airways from PER - JNB

Interesting - especially with Qantas also in a codeshare agreement!

Virgin Australia partners with South African Airways - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[williamsf1]

What? It's not a bilateral? What's going on then?

VA would be silly to negotiate this partnership without reciprocal earning - this has been a key feature of all of their agreements.

I understand it is just one way at this stage . Not that silly from VA as it will provide a bit of interline traffic onto the various regional flights and 330 services.

 

[smatho10]

The article has been updated - can earn SC and points from PER-JNB and onwards to other SAA destinations..

 

[amaroo]

Why don't they just join star alliance already !

Can't afford it? There must be a reason beyond we don't need too!

As QF LTG I would not hesitate jumping over. It would be fantastic to hold status with two DOM airlines that had World Wide alliances.

IMHO it would be the final nail in the QF coffin..

 

[Intra]

Re: VA to partner with South African Airways from PER - JNB

Hohoho, VERY Interesting

Makes a trip to South Africa much easier than going via SE Asia/Middle East on SQ/EY Finally a half-decent replacement of course for the old MEL-JNB on VA Metal

Filling in the gaps... Japan next? (Wishful...)

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

A few observations:

- What impact will this have on the relationship SAA has with QF?

- VA, lasted just 6 months on the MEL > JNB sector, so what's changed? Does VA believe enough of their customers are heading to Africa again? As far as I know VA currently code share with SQ to JNB ( obviously the long, indirect way around).

 

[anat0l]

Can't afford it? There must be a reason beyond we don't need too!

Because JB is of the opinion that forging bilaterals is a superior and capex-light model?

As QF LTG I would not hesitate jumping over. It would be fantastic to hold status with two DOM airlines that had World Wide alliances.

IMHO it would be the final nail in the QF coffin..

Maybe for you it would be the end of ever travelling QF; I doubt the end of QF itself.

VA will need to take on extra risk if it joins any global alliance. That's not trivial.

A few observations:

...

- VA, lasted just 6 months on the MEL > JNB sector, so what's changed? Does VA believe enough of their customers are heading to Africa again? As far as I know VA currently code share with SQ to JNB ( obviously the long, indirect way around).

VA codeshare on every partner service (well, almost all of them).

This time VA aren't operating the aircraft, and an inferior choice at that. Significant risk - gone.

They don't have to fill an entire plane - just part of it. No need to sweat on crewing and layover in South Africa. No need to negotiate dedicated contract staff in Jo'burg.

Basically all they need to do is get passengers. That's easy.

 

[erkpod]

Re: VA to partner with South African Airways from PER - JNB

Hohoho, VERY Interesting

Makes a trip to South Africa much easier than going via SE Asia/Middle East on SQ/EY Finally a half-decent replacement of course for the old MEL-JNB on VA Metal

Filling in the gaps... Japan next? (Wishful...)

I wish they'd filled the gap with Japan before South Africa!

 

[markis10]

The article has been updated - can earn SC and points from PER-JNB and onwards to other SAA destinations..

I am betting it will get updated again . As far as I see it the facts are:

1. It's an expansion of an existing partnership given they have been interlining for some time.
2. It's putting Springbok flight numbers on VA services in Australia so their FF members can earn etc.
3. I don't believe velocity is involved.

Here is the source of the news in its entirety:

JOHANNESBURG. 6 February 2014. South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s leading airline, today announced a new code share agreement with Virgin Australia, one of Australia’s largest domestic airlines.
SAA flies daily between Johannesburg and Perth and this new partnership offers SAA customers expanded access across Australia to domestic destinations such as Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide.
The code share is open for sale from tomorrow, 7 February, for travel from 11 February.
“Through the code share agreement with Virgin Australia, our valued customers will gain new travel choices to primary markets across Australia via Virgins’ extensive network and hubs in Perth and Melbourne, providing seamless travel, and earning of miles through the Voyager frequent flyer programme,” says Kendy Phohleli, SAA General Manager Commercial (Acting).
“In addition customers travelling to Africa from Australia using Virgin Australia services will have access to the most comprehensive network on the African continent.”
Virgin Australia has been an interline partner of SAA since July 2010 where the two airlines had a commercial agreement to handle those customers travelling on both airlines. SAA is now expanding this relationship into a code share agreement.
“This new partnership forms part of Gaining Altitude, our Long-Term Turnaround Strategy, which seeks to broaden SAA’s network through alliances and strategic partnerships.
“Implementing a code share agreement with Virgin Australia offers our customers travelling on SAA to Perth, Australia, more travel options to other Australian cities. We are looking forward to strengthening our partnership with Virgin Australia through this new code share agreement,” says Phohleli.
Customers will also have the benefit of through checking their baggage and receiving boarding passes from Johannesburg to their end destination in Australia, and onto any destination in Africa served by SAA when flying from Australia. Voyager members will continue to earn their miles for their entire itinerary.

 

[amaroo]

....<snip>

Maybe for you it would be the end of ever travelling QF; I doubt the end of QF

Probably OTT saying final nail. More like one of the few remaining ones left to be knocked in

SQ and a few other *A would be a very large and juicy carrot. Hopefully one day.

 

[Mwenenzi]

As QF LTG I would not hesitate jumping over. It would be fantastic to hold status with two DOM airlines that had World Wide alliances.
IMHO it would be the final nail in the QF coffin..

The average economy punter has no idea about alliances & codeshares and cares less. I work with guys who fly to many countries in business class and some don't care or have freq flyer accounts. For example some don't know (or care) that you can get QF points on a CX or EK flight.

Here on AFF & FT we are the 1% who do care & check out before flying

For many people (and business's) only 3 things matter
1. price
2. price
3. price

 

[williamsf1]

I am betting it will get updated again . As far as I see it the facts are:

1. It's an expansion of an existing partnership given they have been interlining for some time.
2. It's putting Springbok flight numbers on VA services in Australia so their FF members can earn etc.
3. I don't believe velocity is involved.

.

Markis is spot on ...

 

[williamsf1]

Re: VA to partner with South African Airways from PER - JNB

The original report was incorect.


Updated version here ..... No Velocity points on SA


Qantas partner South African Airways hooks up with Virgin Australia - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[markis10]

Re: VA to partner with South African Airways from PER - JNB

Airlineroute.net noted in a tweet today that the new codeshares are already in the inflight mag!

https://twitter.com/airlineroute/status/431582014836207616/photo/1

 

[smit0847]

Re: VA to partner with South African Airways from PER - JNB

A cracking sale fare for xx_-PER-JNB ($1299 return in Y?) would be excellent to get this partnership off to a good start!