Virgin Pricing Reflects Move Away From LCC

[Deleted member 29185]

I've noticed for some months now, Virgins cheapy fares for the routes I fly are moving further away from Jetstar and Tiger, whilst the fare structure within Vigin (Saver, Flexi & Premium) are now closer together.

Are others finding this also?

 

[Globetrotter]

I've noticed for some months now, Virgins cheapy fares for the routes I fly are moving further away from Jetstar and Tiger, whilst the fare structure within Vigin (Saver, Flexi & Premium) are now closer together.Are others finding this also?

Yep! My last lot of bookings have all been Qantas because Virgin Australia fares were more expensive and I'm not just talking a couple of bucks. Some instances more than $50 per sector.

 

[SYDNEYAIRPORTRIPOFF]

Yep! My last lot of bookings have all been Qantas because Virgin Australia fares were more expensive and I'm not just talking a couple of bucks. Some instances more than $50 per sector.

For the last two years i have been dismayed with Virgin Australia costing of flights between Cairns and Sydney.
I fly the route 6 times a year and many a time Virgin they have tried to charge excessive amounts which annoyed me as its suppose to be a non frills inexpensive airline.
Qantas have been up to $150 dollars each way cheaper on that route and they fly at more reasonable times and provide something that occasionally tastes like an inflight meal !
Recently I booked a flight between Brisbane and Proserpine for $59 with jetstar and as usual Virgin wanted over double that amount. Virgin sell themselves as a young trendy airline but i wouldn't bet any money of them seeing middle age if they continue with this pricing nonsense.!

 

[samiam]

For the last two years i have been dismayed with Virgin Australia costing of flights between Cairns and Sydney.
I fly the route 6 times a year and many a time Virgin they have tried to charge excessive amounts which annoyed me as its suppose to be a non frills inexpensive airline.
Qantas have been up to $150 dollars each way cheaper on that route and they fly at more reasonable times and provide something that occasionally tastes like an inflight meal !

I just did a random search on Virgin and Qantas for the above (Depart: Mon 8th Aug / Return: Wed 10th Aug).
QF = $214 (Red E Deal) to $1299 (Fully Flexible).
DJ = $158 (Saver) to $598 (Premium)

The DJ Flexi fare at $289 sits in the middle of this range, and offers meal and luggage options. The least expensive comparison (QF Red E Deal includes meal and luggage) = $75 less. I cannot find comparative examples where Qantas is $150 less expensive.

YMMV

 

[markis10]

Comparing fares is only valid at the time you did, yield management make sure of that, and DJ seem to be more expensive the closer to the day in some cases, having planned my 2H travels today I did my own comparisons on BNE-CNS/TSV/MKY and DRW, 9 out of 15 DJ won, three QF won because I wont do redeyes and two they won because DJ dont do a milk run down the coast.

 

[medhead]

Happy hours are also a complication when comparing VA fares as they are often for close travel periods. I have pick up a number of good happy hour fares this year within about a month of travel and even within a week, SYD-BNE return for $75 each way.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Happy hours are also a complication when comparing VA fares as they are often for close travel periods. I have pick up a number of good happy hour fares this year within about a month of travel and even within a week, SYD-BNE return for $75 each way.

My point was not to compare Virgin and Qantas......it was to compare Virgin and (mostly) Jetstar, who use to be their main competitor as an LCC, but since Virgin seem to be keen in throwing off the LCC tag, it seems the DJ-QF comparisons will become more prevalent and the LCC comparisons will be between Jetstar and Tiger.

Virgins SYD-OOL is $75 without happy hour fares, but until recently Jetstar was $59 and Tiger $40. Just tonight though, I note on some days, Jetstar is now $39 with Tiger still at $40, so it seems Virgin really aren't interested in competing with Jetstar, but Jetstar seem far more concerned with Tiger.........and Qantas must be at least somewhat concerned with Virgins recent triumphs!

 

[pauly7]

it seems Virgin really aren't interested in competing with Jetstar, but Jetstar seem far more concerned with Tiger.........and Qantas must be at least somewhat concerned with Virgins recent triumphs!

What triumphs? Do you mean all the announcements? Let's see some results eh

 

[Deleted member 29185]

What triumphs? Do you mean all the announcements? Let's see some results eh

Well I'm already seeing them at least! Like nearly being Gold (couldn't do that before with either QF or DJ), better menus, better lounges, more lounges (importantly for me, OOL and MKY, two of my common airports)and of course better interior layout of aircraft (the new BSI interior and seating layout is great for me).

Of course for the diehard QF fans, the competition will most certainly urge QF to lift their game somewhat as well.

The only downside I see are the formerly cheapy DJ prices now hovering up to twice the Jetstar fares .

 

[Saab34]

DJ seemed to bump up their "everyday" fares with the fuel surcharges.

You can get OOL-SYD on sale most weeks for $55-60, its in Happy Hour most days.

In fact the other week they had a 72 hr sale SYD-MEL/BNE/OOL for $48. Wish I knew about the Jetabroad offer then.