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Podcast #44: Virgin Australia Sold to Bain Capital

On 4 September 2020, Virgin Australia creditors voted to approve the airline’s sale to U.S. private equity firm Bain Capital for $3.5 billion. This was the final major hurdle in bringing Virgin Australia out of voluntary administration and avoiding liquidation. The sale is expected to be completed by the end of October. So, how did Virgin … Continued

5 Sep 2020 AFF on Air Podcast

Virgin Australia Sold to Bain Capital – AIR044

  On 4 September 2020, Virgin Australia creditors voted to approve the airline’s sale to U.S. private equity firm Bain Capital for $3.5 billion. This was the final major hurdle in bringing Virgin Australia out of voluntary administration and avoiding liquidation. The sale is expected to be completed by the end of October. So, how did … Continued

5 Sep 2020 AFF on Air (blubrry)

Virgin Australia Sale to Bain Capital Approved

Virgin Australia creditors have voted to approve the proposed sale to Bain Capital at a virtual meeting. Under the Deeds of Company Arrangement (DOCA) recommended by Virgin’s administrators, Virgin employees and secured creditors will receive 100% of their owed entitlements. Unsecured bondholders, meanwhile, will only receive approximately 9-13 cents per dollar owed. But the administrator … Continued

4 Sep 2020 Virgin Australia

Goodwill Lost: Customers Have Long Memories

Most businesses have faced significant issues due to COVID-19, particularly in the travel industry. With borders closed, many airlines have had to cancel flights and many tour operators have had to temporarily shut down. Millions of cruises, car rentals and hotel bookings have also been cancelled as would-be travellers have been stuck at home. But … Continued

4 Sep 2020 Planning & Booking

U.S. Airlines Permanently Axe Change Fees

United Airlines made a surprise announcement last weekend that it would permanently remove change fees on domestic airfares. Within days, almost every other major U.S. airline has followed suit in a fundamental change to the revenue models of American airlines. United and most other U.S. airlines have been waiving change fees since COVID-19 began to … Continued

4 Sep 2020 United Airlines

Boeing 747s Now Operating Just a Handful of Routes

It wasn’t long ago that the Boeing 747 was a mainstay of commercial airlines, easily spotted at most major international airports around the world. Fast forward to September 2020, and the Boeing 747 is operating just a small handful of scheduled passenger flights for only four airlines. Boeing 747s will fly on only 17 worldwide routes … Continued

3 Sep 2020 Other Airlines

Marriott Bonvoy Status Match [2020]

Marriott Bonvoy has launched a brand new status match & challenge for members with existing Accor, Hilton, Hyatt or IHG status. If you currently hold status with one of these four competing hotel loyalty programs, you can now receive equivalent status with Marriott Bonvoy for 90 days at no cost. Once the status match is … Continued

2 Sep 2020 Marriott Bonvoy

When Should Australia Lift its Outbound Travel Ban?

On 25 March 2020, the Australian government banned citizens and temporary residents from leaving the country without a special exemption. This extraordinary temporary measure was introduced amid growing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. At the time, the Australian outbound travel ban was widely viewed as reasonable. It’s now the end of August. Not only is … Continued

31 Aug 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

International Arrival Caps Locking Out Australians

Thousands of stranded Australians are unable to return home due to restrictive caps on arriving international passenger numbers. Since July, the number of daily and weekly inbound passenger arrivals have been limited at all five of Australia’s major international airports. A maximum of 525 international travellers are permitted to arrive in Perth each week, with … Continued

30 Aug 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Virgin Creditors’ Meeting Set for 4 September 2020

The final meeting of Virgin Australia creditors is all set to take place on 4 September after Virgin Australia’s administrators handed down their report to creditors this week. The airline’s future will be voted on at a virtual Microsoft Teams meeting scheduled for 10am (AEST) on Friday, 4 September 2020. If the sale to Bain Capital … Continued

28 Aug 2020 Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia Customers to Receive “Future Flight Credits”

Virgin Australia customers would have existing travel credits or conditional flight credits replaced with “Future Flight credits” if the proposed sale to Bain Capital goes ahead. These would be valid to redeem for Virgin Australia flights until 31 July 2022, for travel until 30 June 2023, but would come with restrictions. The sale to Bain … Continued

27 Aug 2020 Virgin Australia

How Can Overseas Members Renew Qantas Status in 2021?

Update (November 2020): Qantas has now announced complimentary status extensions for all Qantas Frequent Flyer members residing outside Australia or New Zealand, whose status is due to expire between March-December 2021. There are no further complimentary status extensions for members whose status expires in January or February 2022. To renew your Qantas Frequent Flyer status, … Continued

27 Aug 2020 Qantas