Dear John

[777]

John Borghetti will soon begin his stint as the new DJ CEO. I'd be interested to get AFF people's thoughts on what they'd like to see happen with DJ. Other DJ Frequent Flyers might want to join me in offering suggestions or perhaps some of you who fly regularly with the other mob who might be considering stepping over? Constructive ideas please.

I just read back on some of my thoughts from my very post here:

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...nefits-would-you-like-12170-5.html#post233045

A lot of those still stand but I was pleased to see that much has changed for the better in the last 12 months or so. Definitely a of improvements in reciprocal benefits since that time. The deals with Delta and Virgin Atlantic in particular mean that i now have good benefits on international carriers that cover off a lot (not all) of my concerns in that area.

A lot of the other issues are possibly awaiting the implementation of the new computer system which will hopefully mean better service preferences, upgrade options, etc for Status Frequent Flyers.

Other things that have crossed my mind since:

In flight service. Mostly i am happy with it but the new planes, new management, new era is a chance to refresh, update the uniforms and potentially a chance to slingshot past QF in the service stakes. I think taking the lead on wifi and in flight connectivity would be a big winner here and generally bringing the DJ look and feel in line with Virgin America would be a great way to elevate the perception of DJ from LCC to innovative new world carrier or whatever the term is you are going to go with.

International Lounges - with V Australia and Pacific Blue now operating extensive international services from BNE, SYD, MEL an international lounge in each port would be a nice touch. Surely now that Delta, V Australia, and Virgin Atlantic customers are eligible it would defray the cost a little? Hard to compete seriously for international business traffic with such an inconsistent approach.

Better points redemption options. Can we get the systems for P/E upgrades domestically, and upgrades on VA international flights streamlined ASAP? I want to be able to pay points at the counter to upgrade where available. Also, given the popularity of RTW redemptions can Virgin start offering and advertising these soon on the various Virgin branded airlines? It would be a winner and definitely something to save the points for?

What do others think?

777.

 

[pauly7]

I'd say

- Lose the cheapie leather seats
- Lose premium economy / replace with a domestic J class a la 'Starclass'
- More comfortable widebodies on the business routes (e.g. the golden triangle). Loath the 737 (all airlines not just DJ)
- Better food and beverage standards
- Lose the pay tv entertainment and replace with proper AVOD. QF is rolling it out, surely DJ can too
- Star Alliance (and make Velocity worth joining - at the moment it is on par AT BEST with QFF, to get people to move across you need to be better!)

 

[aus_flyer]

I've asked quite a few corporate travellers the 'what would it take to move from QF to DJ' question and one idea (that I suggested) was to fill the empty Premium Economy (or Business) seats with top-tier frequent flyers..... as done by AA.

All agreed they would make the move.

Given that it's never a guarantee you would get upgraded, I'm not entirely convinced it would cannibalise the J market.

But to know that I might have a say, 1 in 5-10 chance of an upgrade, would be enough for me to switch. I've given up waiting for op-ups with Qantas. 5 years as Platinum and I can count the number of op-ups I've had on one hand.... that has no fingers.

 

[munitalP]

I've asked quite a few corporate travellers the 'what would it take to move from QF to DJ' question and one idea (that I suggested) was to fill the empty Premium Economy (or Business) seats with top-tier frequent flyers..... as done by AA.

All agreed they would make the move.

Given that it's never a guarantee you would get upgraded, I'm not entirely convinced it would cannibalise the J market.

But to know that I might have a say, 1 in 5-10 chance of an upgrade, would be enough for me to switch. I've given up waiting for op-ups with Qantas. 5 years as Platinum and I can count the number of op-ups I've had on one hand.... that has no fingers.

Mate you are unlucky - I have had a heap of OP-UP's this year alone, my wife has even been opped from an award fare AKL/MEL! Shes PG.

I am a DJ Silver - I keep it due to hating lines of people and sometimes having to fly DJ. I have quite a large group of friends who are all WP or SG status, you know, not one of my friends would abandon QF - reason? Because you abandon OW. The next time you are at LHR, or LAX or HKG (the list goes on) have a look at the lounges available.

LOL @ your corporate travellers you asked

Mr!

 

[777]

I've asked quite a few corporate travellers the 'what would it take to move from QF to DJ' question and one idea (that I suggested) was to fill the empty Premium Economy (or Business) seats with top-tier frequent flyers..... as done by AA.

All agreed they would make the move.

Given that it's never a guarantee you would get upgraded, I'm not entirely convinced it would cannibalise the J market.

But to know that I might have a say, 1 in 5-10 chance of an upgrade, would be enough for me to switch. I've given up waiting for op-ups with Qantas. 5 years as Platinum and I can count the number of op-ups I've had on one hand.... that has no fingers.

Given that in DJ's case they aren't selling a lot of those seats anyway and the number of them is dependent on the how full the plane is, it seems to come with marginal additional cost. If the flight is empty enough to warrant there being vacant PE seats, why not upgrade the top tiers? Maybe a P/E lite with the middle seat out and none of the other frills? Would cost zero but grow strong sense of being rewarded.

Although having said that, the PE product needs some work.

777.

 

[munitalP]

... Maybe a P/E lite with the middle seat out and none of the other frills? Would cost zero but grow strong sense of being rewarded.

...

777.

Am I missing something? What other frills? I'm laughing so hard my sides are hurting

Mr!

 

[777]

Am I missing something? What other frills? I'm laughing so hard my sides are hurting

Mr!

Seat width and legroom?

 

[Travel Guru]

Given I live on the Gold Coast and am sick of the tiring drive up to BNE and back to fly QF Domestic, i'd be willing to give DJ alot of my domestic travel if the offered priority check in as part of their lounge membership...i cant stand lining up at airports.

Secondary would be a status match from SG.

Other than that, theres alot of work to be done to get most corporates business, but im looking forward to seeing what John does.

TG

 

[ejb]

...
Secondary would be a status match from SG.

Other than that, theres alot of work to be done to get most corporates business, but im looking forward to seeing what John does.

TG

+1 here.

As a WP I am not going to start at the bottom.

If DJ want my BIS they are going to need to status match WP for DJ Gold and improve the PE offering to match QF Dom J.

ejb

 

[Saab34]

Lose the cheapie leather seats

I find the Tiger seats (not legroom) more comfortable than the Virgin ones these days, and thats saying something.

Bring in the Virgin America Seats with IFE. What are the chances for free wifi or payed wifi like VX does.

This logo popped up on another forum. Interesting...

 

[oz_mark]

I find the Tiger seats (not legroom) more comfortable than the Virgin ones these days, and thats saying something.

Bring in the Virgin America Seats with IFE. What are the chances for free wifi or payed wifi like VX does.

This logo popped up on another forum. Interesting...
View attachment 752

Four stars in the V. How Kiwi of them

 

[samh004]

Given I live on the Gold Coast and am sick of the tiring drive up to BNE and back to fly QF Domestic, i'd be willing to give DJ alot of my domestic travel if the offered priority check in as part of their lounge membership...i cant stand lining up at airports.

I thought you were going to ask for a Gold Coast Lounge with the line about driving, but I agree that if you’ve driven that far and have The Lounge membership, you should have priority check-in too. Though you’ve surely seen the QP line sometimes

+1 here.

As a WP I am not going to start at the bottom.

If DJ want my BIS they are going to need to status match WP for DJ Gold and improve the PE offering to match QF Dom J.

You can already get a status match if you call them up

 

[JohnK]

- More comfortable widebodies on the business routes (e.g. the golden triangle). Loath the 737 (all airlines not just DJ)

- Star Alliance (and make Velocity worth joining - at the moment it is on par AT BEST with QFF, to get people to move across you need to be better!)

I would have to agree on these 2 points especially the wide bodies.

I despise 737's even on the short haul routes even though I had a decent flight tonight on a 734 in 4c with 4B vacant.

 

[munitalP]

I would have to agree on these 2 points especially the wide bodies.

I despise 737's even on the short haul routes even though I had a decent flight tonight on a 734 in 4c with 4B vacant.

that would be the best Y seat on a 734

Mr!

 

[oz_mark]

that would be the best Y seat on a 734

Mr!

Nah, I'm a big fan of 4D.

 

[serfty]

OT:

On a QF 734, I'm a big fan of 4/5/6 C/D - 73H's it's 4C/D only.

 

[dajop]

I used really dislike 737's as well. And still don't like the idea of taking one on a longer flight (ie trans tasman and cross continent flights). But with heaps of flying back and forth between MEL-SIN over the last 12 months, with several on the 3-4-3 configured 777's of EK, my perceptions have changed. Hops like MEL-SYD and even MEL-BNE seem so short now that it doesn't bother me being on a 737.

But to make inroads into the MEL/SYD/BNE-PER market, I suspect a widebody would help.

 

[JohnK]

I used really dislike 737's as well. And still don't like the idea of taking one on a longer flight (ie trans tasman and cross continent flights). But with heaps of flying back and forth between MEL-SIN over the last 12 months, with several on the 3-4-3 configured 777's of EK, my perceptions have changed. Hops like MEL-SYD and even MEL-BNE seem so short now that it doesn't bother me being on a 737.

But to make inroads into the MEL/SYD/BNE-PER market, I suspect a widebody would help.

Before I started commuting I did not mind 737's and I thought 767's were horrid (a real bad CGK-SYD flight in 2005). The more I commute the more I despise the single aisle aircraft.

Nah, I'm a big fan of 4D.

I would take either 4C or 4D and 4A or 4F are also OK if no one sitting in middle seat.

Interesting to hear the guy in 5E ask the FA before takeoff if he can move to a seat in the first 3 rows. There was only 5 people sitting in business and that must have been his first ever flight on QF. He was politely told that the first 3 rows were business class only and did not hear from him again for the rest of the flight.

 

[aus_flyer]

... that must have been his first ever flight on QF.

Or he was just a smart a**

 

[Oneworldplus2]

As I posted in another thread.
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...n-america-reciprocity-22534-2.html#post316673

I think that it would cost an arm and a leg to enhance the current planes and a complete waste of money when there are new planes on order. Customize the new planes to include J and whY, form a new off-shoot company, ie, "V" or "Virgin" (as NM corrected me) as the premium airline to battle Qantas. Offer J Class + now that there is "The Lounge" at most major DOM airports it would be a threat to Qantas.
Keep current "Virgin Blue" as a competition against Jetstar/Tiger and still as a LCC.

Virgin to join a "global" alliance. What use is getting rewards on Delta or V if your flying somewhere completely opposite to the area they service, ie, Eastern Europe or South America? I've spoken to a few WP's and even they have told me, that the only reason they are with QF is because Virgin isn't a member of *Alliance.

Ditch the jokes. If you want to attract premium customers or customers that fork out big $$$, act like a premium airline, not cracking jokes for 10 year olds over the speaker system.

AVOD, or make the "Live to Air" free. No way l'm paying money on a 2 hour flight just to watch something on a 5" screen. I take my Ipod and a book if l must fly Virgin nowdays.

IMO, l think that the "Premium whY" is a farce. It's just like "Club Europe" with BA. The middle seat is not occupied, but the seat size is still the same. Last time l flew Virgin, OOL-SYD, my brother and l had the exit row, just the 2 of us and they put "Live to Air" for free because it was 25/12.
I remember that experience because;
Exit row, no pre check in and the flight was 3/4 full.
Middle seat empty.
"Live to Air" was free.
And l'm a Virgin Blue "Red" = a nothing.

YMMV and happy travels.