What is Virgin Australia's strategy (post-administration)?

[AIRwin]

Correct, what VA do is get cabin crew from a different flight or those who may be about to clock off to jump onboard a flight they aren’t scheduled to operate, that cabin crew do the safety checks and greets passengers whilst they wait for a late inbound crew to arrive off a different flight.

Oh I see - glad I haven't experienced that

 

[henrus]

Oh I see - glad I haven't experienced that

It's quite common on latter flights in the day when crew are trying to get back to their base. QF on the other hand often just wait and don't start boarding until the crew that will operate that flight is onboard.

The worst one I had on VA was a 40 min delay on last flight out of Sydney, we got away just before curfew but the cabin crew that greeted during the boarding weren't operating that flight but still managed to get everyone fully onboard and serve welcome drinks in J. It turned out that crew were actually deadheading as pax in the last row back to Brisbane so after the actual crew arrived they just went back and sat down as passengers in the last few rows.

 

[ben95]

everyone fully onboard and serve welcome drinks in J

Does the crew get paid their regular hourly rate while deadheading as pax or do they get paid extra working the boarding for another crew and deadheading is unpaid?

I can imagine it can leave a source taste to the staff if they are supposed to be clocked off, deadhead and go home while still getting paid but suddenly get called to work boarding for another crew.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's quite common on latter flights in the day when crew are trying to get back to their base. QF on the other hand often just wait and don't start boarding until the crew that will operate that flight is onboard.

The worst one I had on VA was a 40 min delay on last flight out of Sydney, we got away just before curfew but the cabin crew that greeted during the boarding weren't operating that flight but still managed to get everyone fully onboard and serve welcome drinks in J. It turned out that crew were actually deadheading as pax in the last row back to Brisbane so after the actual crew arrived they just went back and sat down as passengers in the last few rows.

Qantas do do this! My first experience was on a QF flight, and I wondered why VA didn’t do it. But it was pointed out they both have the same policy.

 

[ThatMrBlake]

Some interesting roles at VA have hit the open market. Referencing a 3 year transformation plan - interesting top skill they are looking for is offshoring and cost optimisation. Didn’t think they could cut anymore…but I’m sure they will find a way.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think that’s for the cabin divider launch!

 

[Harrison_133]

VARA is looking to get Capex approval for A220 or E190-E2 introduction.

VA have now confirmed this, although they don't single out the A220 or E190-E2. In a press release this week about VARA winning Best Regional Airline they stated:

This month, VARA commenced a process of consultation on its intention to acquire at least four new generation aircraft to replace its aging F100 fleet, which if acquired would introduce new aircraft to the WA 100-seat charter market.

The potential replacement aircraft types would provide superior performance compared to the F100, lower fuel consumption and emissions through the employment of geared turbofan engines, enhanced customer product and improved operational performance.

Source: Virgin Australia Regional Airlines wins Best Regional Airline of the Year in global awards

 

[henrus]

Price hike coming?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Price hike coming?
View attachment 374468

Interesting. QF’s J class fares are coming down, and VA’s going up? The usual $359 business fares SYD-MEL are already becoming more limited, $399 is now more common.

But, with a revenue based model, higher fares at least means awards are reached quicker.

 

[ThatMrBlake]

Interesting. QF’s J class fares are coming down, and VA’s going up? The usual $359 business fares SYD-MEL are already becoming more limited, $399 is now more common.

But, with a revenue based model, higher fares at least means awards are reached quicker.

Anytime a QF J fare is within in $100 dollars of the VA J fare - I am going Qantas. I suspect I would not be the only one tempted by that.

VA-J is slowly getting worse - use to be a hit 9 times out of 10, but more like 6 times out of ten now days. At the same time my perception of QF J is is getting slightly more competitive.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Price hike coming?
View attachment 374468

There was an article about this a few days ago.

Virgin set to follow Qantas in raising fares

Airlines are increasing airfares as domestic demand remains robust and both carriers chase margin growth.

www.afr.com

 

[MooTime]

There was an article about this a few days ago.

Virgin set to follow Qantas in raising fares

Airlines are increasing airfares as domestic demand remains robust and both carriers chase margin growth.

www.afr.com

Interesting. QF’s J class fares are coming down, and VA’s going up? The usual $359 business fares SYD-MEL are already becoming more limited, $399 is now more common.

But, with a revenue based model, higher fares at least means awards are reached quicker.

So much for your QF fares going down, 3rd price hike since October.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So much for your QF fares going down, 3rd price hike since October.

Previous J class MEL-SYD was almost $800. Now it’s $450. Pretty major reduction.

 

[MooTime]

Previous J class MEL-SYD was almost $800. Now it’s $450. Pretty major reduction.

Ok but the AFR articles clesrly states QF have lifted prices 3 times since October.
QF made this comment themselves so can't say it's not true.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ok but the AFR articles correctly states QF have listed process 3 times since October.
QF made this comment themselves so can't say it's not true.

I think airfares in general have gone up. VA has been steadily increasing its J class price from $349, to $359 and now $369. Rex too has gone from $349 to $359.

Just qantas has slashed its pricing to be more competitive I guess.

 

[ThatMrBlake]

Just qantas has slashed its pricing to be more competitive I guess.

They have only really slashed J pricing well in advance and on routes with a decent amount of competition. Anything in the next month they are still charging you through the nose.

At least VA or even Rex there is some reasonable fares in J in within 30 days of departure. Heck on Rex some of those base J fares are still available day of departure.