Why can't VA offer multi city including international flights?

[PERLHR]

Why can't they? Why only domestic multi city? I can choose more flight options on VA metal via Expedia flights. (Enforcing a night stop rather than having to have an over night flight which is the only option on VA.

Is booking VA flights via Expedia potentially hazardous time to ensure that FF number is attached and credited? Nothing much surprises me now with VA in making it harder for the pax!

 

[anat0l]

Must be some sort of system limitation that they never thought of overcoming or opening up. It does imply that diagnosing most bookings should be fairly simple, e.g. IRROPS or amendments.

If you booked via Expedia, normally there is a field to put in your FF details for crediting and status benefits. You could view your booking on VA's website so long as you enter the airline PNR, e.g. for seat selection. The main thing that changes is who contacts you if schedules change or things go wrong (except on the day of departure), or if you want to change or cancel a booking (including fees).

 

[Saab34]

I asked this to someone from the commercial team when I was sitting next to them on a Sydney flight (he was asking me for feedback). He said such a platform required significant investment and the company didn’t have the capital for it at the time. That was pre pandemic. I didn’t know how expensive some of this software is and the contracts with such providers etc.

I think we underestimated how far behind Virgin has been in IT. I recall Bain said they have spent hundreds of millions upgrading the tech stack already.