Virgin Blue steals AFL official airline contract from Qantas

[oz_mark]

Virgin Blue steals AFL official airline contract from Qantas | The Australian

VIRGIN Blue will become official airline of the Australian Football League after stealing the $8 million-a-year contract from arch rival Qantas.

Qantas had been keen to extend its association with the AFL, which started in 2002 after the collapse of Ansett.

It has been reported that Virgin Blue were going to become more active in sports, so I expect more to come....

 

[samh004]

Maybe Virgin Blue can fly a 738 over the MCG at next years Grand Final… it’s almost as spectacular as an A380

And probably with less fear to the crowd of bits falling off.

One would think that $8 million could be better spent on revamping their hard product though

 

[stuartfaz]

One would think that $8 million could be better spent on revamping their hard product though

This could serve as impetus for Virgin to improve their product. Nobody wants to see poor 6'10" Aaron Sandilands cramped in DJ Y.

 

[nlagalle]

I think it was more qantas let it go as the AFL wanted QF to only fly AFL, not soccer or rugby. Good move by Qantas in sticking to it's guns and not bowing to the AFL. I'll bet soccer alone is more of a $$ value than AFL.

 

[stuartfaz]

I think it was more qantas let it go as the AFL wanted QF to only fly AFL, not soccer or rugby. Good move by Qantas in sticking to it's guns and not bowing to the AFL. I'll bet soccer alone is more of a $$ value than AFL.

To Qantas, you betcha. Having international exposure with rugby and football is a lot more valuable to them, whereas not really necessary or appropriate for Virgin. The Australian exposure for Virgin will be a boom for them, but expendable for Qantas.

Everybody wins.

 

[nlagalle]

Everybody wins.

Except the players, who lose lounge access (ok my get DJ access), and no upgrades until DJ has J.. apparently the clubs aren't happy either...

 

[stuartfaz]

apparently the clubs aren't happy either...

Wouldn't be a proper AFL decision if the clubs were completely happy with it

 

[Nigelinoz]

So will we be seeing an AFL version of the Norwest Polecats Cairns flight safety demo then?.:mrgreen::mrgreen:

 

[samh004]

At least we know The Lounge is due to get busier next year on weekends and the QC a little quieter.

 

[docjames]

. Nobody wants to see poor 6'10" Aaron Sandilands cramped in DJ Y.

Except supporters of the team he's playing that week.

 

[stuartfaz]

Except supporters of the team he's playing that week.

I'm a West Coast fan and I approve of this message

 

[VHOEJ]

Bye bye flyover on Grand Final day!!!!

I can't imagine the presidents like Eddie etc (who have CLounge or QF Club) won't be impressed. The players will be annoyed - the NBL players were upset when the NBL signed with DJ, cant see the AFL players (particularly in Perth) being any different.

Eddie is probably on the phone organising a charter aircraft for his team as we speak.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Virgin were lining up to be the major sponsor for Adelaide United in the A-League until the FFA stepped in and stopped them on account of the Qantas sponsorship.

News isn't that bad really, but I can't imagine the Western teams being too happy, frequencies on DJ aren't quite as convenient as QF.

I too look forward to a B738 flyover.

 

[djfuzz]

Bye bye flyover on Grand Final day!!!!

I can't imagine the presidents like Eddie etc (who have CLounge or QF Club) won't be impressed. The players will be annoyed - the NBL players were upset when the NBL signed with DJ, cant see the AFL players (particularly in Perth) being any different.

Eddie is probably on the phone organising a charter aircraft for his team as we speak.

Funny, from their boldly emblazoned jerseys, I thought his team had their own private EK A380 to ferry them from town to town.

 

[ejb]

This move will lighten the loads on the CL/J/QP and that is a good thing.

I think a few CEO's of the clubs will be getting the CL card cut.

As most players flew Y I don't feel it would be a change to them.

ejb

 

[ejb]

Funny, from their boldly emblazoned jerseys, I thought his team had their own private EK A380 to ferry them from town to town.

Very good point, I do not follow AFL (or sport for that matter) but do recall the EK name on the uniforms.

This mustn't have made QF too happy when they wear the uniform in the QP's.

Years ago I went to the Melb Cup in the QF enclosure and when I enquired about it the next year QF informed me that EK had barred them from having a tent, so they dont like it.

ejb

 

[VHOEJ]

Funny, from their boldly emblazoned jerseys, I thought his team had their own private EK A380 to ferry them from town to town.

Well funnily enough even when they go to Arizona, they fly Qantas. The only way they actually fly EK is if they play a NAB Cup game in Dubai.

 

[codash1099]

Very good point, I do not follow AFL (or sport for that matter) but do recall the EK name on the uniforms.

This mustn't have made QF too happy when they wear the uniform in the QP's.

Years ago I went to the Melb Cup in the QF enclosure and when I enquired about it the next year QF informed me that EK had barred them from having a tent, so they dont like it.

ejb

Doubt that Eddie's team would be concerned with this move. They hardly ever fly anywhere. :mrgreen:

 

[VHOEJ]

Doubt that Eddie's team would be concerned with this move. They hardly ever fly anywhere. :mrgreen:

Boom tish! :mrgreen:

 

[mannej]

Well funnily enough even when they go to Arizona, they fly Qantas. The only way they actually fly EK is if they play a NAB Cup game in Dubai.

Did they not fly US Airways from LAX to PHX?

There was some snippet about a 7 hour delay to their flight on 10 the other day.