VS Drop SYD - Exit Australia

[jsoprano]

One other thing this latest development might cause:

I am quite sure I read a quote last year from BA somewhere, stating they won't pull out of SYD as long as VS is still flying to Australia, prestige reasons obviously. So will BA pull out next then is the question? The EK deal has soured their relationship with QF but feeding their Asian ports might still be another option for them going forward.

 

[zainman]

One other thing this latest development might cause:

I am quite sure I read a quote last year from BA somewhere, stating they won't pull out of SYD as long as VS is still flying to Australia, prestige reasons obviously. So will BA pull out next then is the question? The EK deal has soured their relationship with QF but feeding their Asian ports might still be another option for them going forward.

I believe BA will stop flying to SYD, yes. IMHO, BA should do a QF/EK style alliance with QR. Send planes to DOH so QR can take the passengers to Oz. I believe QR is currently limited because of bilaterals but the country manager personally said to me that SYD will be next sometime this year (once they are approved for more flights). Maybe they can also do routes via SIN/BKK like EK.

Of course it all depends on when the new airport is functional.

 

[JohnK]

Re: Virgin Atlantic axing SYD to HKG

I have looked at it and could not find better value, the HKG flights were good with HH coming second from my perspective.

Hhonors is great if you go to KUL a lot as they have good value redemptions. BKK could be OK as well but I don't spend too much time there.

Now need to find somewhere to credit car hire and hotel stays. I think either MH or SQ with a slight leaning towards MH. Need to do some more research.

 

[Pukka]

I've heard in Industry circles this route barely broke even for VS for the 8 or so years they fly to SYD. Loads often below 50%, which makes it a very pleasant flight as a passenger, but a headache for yield managers.

They are a great Airline, with a quirky attitude & a good frequent flyer program & most noteably backed by arguably "the best boss in the world."

Disappointing to say the least , which leaves BA as the only European Courier still operating to Australia.

VS have launched new routes into destinations such as YVR in the last few years, so maybe mid-haul destinations is the new strategy for them?

Which explains why I managed to get 4 x upper class returns for points on the same flight over Xmas / new year!

I used to really like VS upper class but 8 years on since I first tried it it's now hopeless compared to Business in Cathay or SAL so I'm not surprised they can't get anyone to buy full price tickets

 

[PMHI]

Re: Virgin Atlantic axing SYD to HKG

While I understand Virgin Atlantic dropped the in flight massage some years ago, one of my most memorable flights was SYD-HKG-SYD with a massage each way. Very pleasant.

As a related recollection, one of my mates had the "relaxing" massage (gentle) as distinct from the "stimulating" massage (vigorous) on a Virgin Atlantic overnighter between Washington DC and Heathrow. The massageuse was so attractive that after she was finished he did not get any sleep all night.

 

[JohnK]

JYou can also redeem syd-kul return on MH in J for 80000 VS miles. Not sure if that is better value or transferring to HH...

Thanks. That sounds like an excellent compromise.

 

[k3nnis]

Yep I think I will go this route instead of HH. Or the other option is to redeem on SQ flights but only can do Y as they don't allow A380,77W.

 

[markis10]

Thanks. That sounds like an excellent compromise.

Check the taxes

 

[anat0l]

Check the taxes

Can't be too back breaking considering the redemption is in J, not Y (where it would be).

 

[JohnK]

Check the taxes

Can't be more than $400-$500. Can it?

 

[StevePER]

Can't be more than $400-$500. Can it?

Not sure, but I just booked PER-KUL-LHR/CDG-KUL-PER and the "taxes" were $1073. But I'm still happy for 51,000 each way in J.

 

[docjames]

I believe BA will stop flying to SYD, yes. IMHO, BA should do a QF/EK style alliance with QR. Send planes to DOH so QR can take the passengers to Oz. I believe QR is currently limited because of bilaterals but the country manager personally said to me that SYD will be next sometime this year (once they are approved for more flights). Maybe they can also do routes via SIN/BKK like EK.

Of course it all depends on when the new airport is functional.

I actually think BA will do a deal with CX for onward from HKG for AUS bound pax (makes more sense than anyone else ex-SIN) and focus the SIN flights on servicing SIN.

 

[BAM1748]

Re: VS axes SYD-HKG

If VA codeshare with Etihad to Europe then wonders why passengers aren't flying via Hong Kong, I guess the right hand of Virgin isn't talking to the left.

 

[Mur@no70]

Re: VS axes SYD-HKG

I have a trip booked in Y+ for my family in October on VS from Sydney to Hong Kong although we will now be shifted to flying with some one else - I am assuming QAN or CX. Being a VFF WP and my wife being a VFF SG we were all sorted to take our kids into the lounge prior to the flight. Neither of us have status with anyone else. Whilst it's not life or death whether we get into a lounge it seems to settle my 2 young kids down before we fly. Short of getting status with a OW carrier which I won't be able to do does anyone have any suggestions about how we might be able to organise lounge access?

 

[moa999]

I actually think BA will do a deal with CX for onward from HKG for AUS bound pax (makes more sense than anyone else ex-SIN) and focus the SIN flights on servicing SIN.

I suspect CX won't deal.
Like with QF - CX already has five daily services HKG-LHR versus BA with 2 and VS with 1.
CX wants the passengers to fly on its metal both legs

QF and BA would be better reestablishing codeshares via SIN, BKK and HKG - works for both of them in helping to fill the planes and allows QF to provide an alternative for those who don't want to transit DXB, even if QF still retains the DXB as the preferred marketed routes.


Personally DXB doesn't phase me, but the QF metal flight times (with the short leg before landing in LHR in the early morning aren't great).....
With existing timings the following routing would be best for business travellers in my view - giving a long leg to sleep 8-10hrs before landing early in the morning at destination.
SYD-SIN-LHR-DXB-SYD -- QF5-BA12-QF2-QF2

 

[amaroo]

Re: VS axes SYD-HKG

I have a trip booked in Y+ for my family in October on VS from Sydney to Hong Kong although we will now be shifted to flying with some one else - I am assuming QAN or CX. Being a VFF WP and my wife being a VFF SG we were all sorted to take our kids into the lounge prior to the flight. Neither of us have status with anyone else. Whilst it's not life or death whether we get into a lounge it seems to settle my 2 young kids down before we fly. Short of getting status with a OW carrier which I won't be able to do does anyone have any suggestions about how we might be able to organise lounge access?

I feel for you. Hopefully something is worked out in your favour.

 

[markis10]

Re: VS axes SYD-HKG

I have a trip booked in Y+ for my family in October on VS from Sydney to Hong Kong although we will now be shifted to flying with some one else - I am assuming QAN or CX. Being a VFF WP and my wife being a VFF SG we were all sorted to take our kids into the lounge prior to the flight. Neither of us have status with anyone else. Whilst it's not life or death whether we get into a lounge it seems to settle my 2 young kids down before we fly. Short of getting status with a OW carrier which I won't be able to do does anyone have any suggestions about how we might be able to organise lounge access?

Buy a AA thirty day pass might be the go if its QF.

 

[knasty]

I actually think BA will do a deal with CX for onward from HKG for AUS bound pax (makes more sense than anyone else ex-SIN) and focus the SIN flights on servicing SIN.

BA already has codeshares on CX to HKG connecting with their flights to LHR. I'm looking at booking a LHR trip in the next couple of weeks and for the days I'm looking at it's far cheaper to book PE on BA's codeshare to HKG then BA26/28 than it is to book BA16 direct via SIN.

 

[casp]

Virgin Atlantic no longer fly to Sydney

Hi everyone,

Just heard this shock news, Virgin Atlantic will no longer fly to Sydney from 5th May.
What should I do with my points? I fly between Sydney and Hong Kong regularly and VS offer the best redemption option: 40000 miles one way upper class. And VS usually has very good reward availability. Points doesn't expire too. Plus every year Amex offer transfer bonus between 20-30%. Every time I transfer all of my Amex point to VS flying club. Now I still have more than 1.6 million points in my VS account. If VS doesn't fly to Sydney anymore, the points is complete useless for me.

Any one in similar situation or has some suggestion?

Thanks

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Re: Virgin Atlantic no longer fly to Sydney

Hi everyone,

Now I still have more than 1.6 million points in my VS account.

Too late now. But this is why it is best when one has the choice to warehouse points at the CC rather than the airline, as the one certainty in life is change. Transfer bonii can be tempting though....so risk vs reward on how much you transfer.

All I can suggest is look where else they fly...and then use cheap flights or newly earned points to position to them.