VA half yearly results to 31 December 2018

[Melburnian1]

L

Nah, it’s number 2.

Point taken. I ought have said 'of markets other than Singapore...' That'll teach me!

 

[jase05]

Near every carrier I fly long haul has had it for years, and if it affects me it will affect others much moreso I am sure. I'll bet the house that Cathay and SQ offers it. Does Qantas?

Flew F on CX late last year HKG-BKK on their 777 and no Wifi. I queried the CSM and was told all of their A350’s are fitted with it but only a small percentage of their 777 fleet currently has it and even fewer of their A330’s. She did say the CX would be reconfiguring their whole fleet and all would have Wifi by mid 2020 and all KA wide bodied aircraft to also be Wifi fitted by then aswell

 

[ozstamps]

ozstamps said: ↑
Near every carrier I fly long haul has had it for years, and if it affects me it will affect others much moreso I am sure. I'll bet the house that Cathay and SQ offers it. Does Qantas?

Flew F on CX late last year HKG-BKK on their 777 and no Wifi. I queried the CSM and was told all of their A350’s are fitted with it but only a small percentage of their 777 fleet currently has it and even fewer of their A330’s. She did say the CX would be reconfiguring their whole fleet and all would have Wifi by mid 2020 and all KA wide bodied aircraft to also be Wifi fitted by then aswell

So QANTAS does not have WiFi on long haul flights someone seemed to post above? That I find amazing. If battling Thai can offer it in the last few years on recent aircraft deliveries like A380, I assumed it was near standard on first tier carriers. Often for a modest cost to pax, but who cares. I flew around Europe last year on Austrian Airlines and all aircraft I flew had it, even for only 3 or 4 hour flights.

Anyway if it is a fact that QANTAS do not offer WiFi on long hail flights,, Virgin are dumber still for not offering it as a marketing advantage benefit. Advertising 9 hours flights as "The Business" at many $1000s a ticket, when someone cannot do any effective Business on them, as I found last Saturday is deceptive. Virgin are uncompetitive by not doing it, and if those flights are losing money that is one good reason. Seats and food and wine are decent, so a no-brainer.

 

[Pleb Status]

ozstamps said: ↑
Near every carrier I fly long haul has had it for years, and if it affects me it will affect others much moreso I am sure. I'll bet the house that Cathay and SQ offers it. Does Qantas?

So QANTAS does not have WiFi on long haul flights someone seemed to post above? That I find amazing. If battling Thai can offer it in the last few years on recent aircraft deliveries like A380, I assumed it was near standard on first tier carriers. Often for a modest cost to pax, but who cares. I flew around Europe last year on Austrian Airlines and all aircraft I flew had it, even for only 3 or 4 hour flights.

Anyway if it is a fact that QANTAS do not offer WiFi on long hail flights,, Virgin are dumber still for not offering it as a marketing advantage benefit. Advertising 9 hours flights as "The Business" at many $1000s a ticket, when someone cannot do any effective Business on them, as I found last Saturday is deceptive. Virgin are uncompetitive by not doing it, and if those flights are losing money that is one good reason. Seats and food and wine are decent, so a no-brainer.

I think you would be far happier flying on another airline. There are many others happy to take your money.

Why are you flying on an airline which is 'uncompetitive' and with a website you struggle to comprehend (reference to your previous rants)?

If using capitals in a post is considered to be yelling, what is using capitals, in bold and in a font many times larger considered as? Hysteria?

If a business of any sort made me that hysterical, the intelligent thing to do would be to steer clear of that business in the future.

 

[Melburnian1]

I think you would be far happier flying on another airline. There are many others happy to take your money.

Why are you flying on an airline which is 'uncompetitive' and with a website you struggle to comprehend (reference to your previous rants)?

If using capitals in a post is considered to be yelling, what is using capitals, in bold and in a font many times larger considered as? Hysteria?

If a business of any sort made me that hysterical, the intelligent thing to do would be to steer clear of that business in the future.

A little unfair, Pleb Status. The other poster was merely making a point about the lack of an 'enhancement' he'd find very useful. I wouldn't personally, but that's not to say others wouldn't. I don't consider he was 'ranting.'

 

[ozstamps]

Why are you flying on an airline which is 'uncompetitive'

This thread is actually headed (you may have missed that point in launching your petty attack) - "VA half yearly results to 31 December 2018". I've bolded it for you as you seem to like that.

EVERYONE reading this forum flies Virgin I think you will find. All of them would wish Virgin to stay in business, and make a profit I am sure? Staying competitive is the key in the airline business.

The International operation is doing badly money wise - but you may not have read that far? Common sense and pretty basic suggestions from regular users, and long term Platinums, how to turn that around, are often useful for savvy management to read, and take on board.

Senior airline management browse ALL major Bulletin Boards. I have been an active member for ~20 years on those boards, and have seen ENDLESS things adopted, based on sensible suggestions raised by Elite level flyers.

 

[Pleb Status]

A little unfair, Pleb Status. The other poster was merely making a point about the lack of an 'enhancement' he'd find very useful. I wouldn't personally, but that's not to say others wouldn't. I don't consider he was 'ranting.'

So you do not consider the use of bold font five times larger than the normal text a rant? As a normal reader, I do.

 

[Pleb Status]

This thread is actually headed (you may have missed that point in launching your petty attack) - "VA half yearly results to 31 December 2018". I've bolded it for you as you seem to like that.

EVERYONE reading this forum flies Virgin I think you will find. All of them would wish Virgin to stay in business, and make a profit I am sure? Staying competitive is the key in the airline business.

The International operation is doing badly money wise - but you may not have read that far? Common sense and pretty basic suggestions from regular users, and long term Platinums, how to turn that around, are often useful for savvy management to read, and take on board.

No one from VA management reads anything posted here. So any 'suggestions' you make here will not be considered or actioned in any way by VA.

If you are unhappy with the service provided to you, please move your business to other airlines.

I do not particularly care if VA makes money or not. I am not shareholder and/or an employee. My relationship is as a customer only.

As soon as VA actually becomes 'uncompetitive' when compared to other airlines, I will move my business accordingly.

 

[ozstamps]

No one from VA management reads anything posted here. So any 'suggestions' you make here will not be considered or actioned in any way by VA.

.

Oh well, you will know exactly what Virgin staffers read - I am sure they share that info with you regularly.

My comments still stand, based real world experience. All major airline managements read major flyer boards. Many airlines have staffers assigned to do JUST that. Not unproveable theory, and not theory from someone who admits he does not care if Virgin makes money, or goes bust.

I've been around flying a lonnnnnnnnnnnnng time, and clearly remember, like many others here, their Ansett Australia entire points balances vanishing overnight etc. That can and does occur, when airlines go bust.

I do not want to see Virgin take that path, I have a million or so Velocity Miles, and so do many others here.

Most of what Virgin do, they do pretty well actually, whether you think so or not. All savvy businesses in any field, always look for new things they can do to improve profit, and improve customer experience, at the same time.

Hopefully Virgin Australia can action some of them, and improve profits in future reports.

 

[Bagpuss]

ozstamps said:

So QANTAS does not have WiFi on long haul flights someone seemed to post above? That I find amazing. If battling Thai can offer it in the last few years on recent aircraft deliveries like A380, I assumed it was near standard on first tier carriers. Often for a modest cost to pax, but who cares. I flew around Europe last year on Austrian Airlines and all aircraft I flew had it, even for only 3 or 4 hour flights.

Qantas international wifi by 2021: Qantas to launch high-speed international WiFi by 2021

Virgin A330 wifi starts this year as per press release. Though quietly moved from February 2019 to 2H2019.
B777's completed
B737's a work in progress: Qantas, Virgin Australia stream ahead with domestic WiFi in 2019

 

[Pleb Status]

Oh well, you will know exactly what Virgin staffers read - I am sure they share that info with you regularly.

My comments still stand, based real world experience. All major airline managements read major flyer boards. Many airlines have staffers assigned to do JUST that. Not unproveable theory, and not theory from someone who admits he does not care if Virgin makes money, or goes bust.

I've been around flying a lonnnnnnnnnnnnng time, and clearly remember, like many others here, their Ansett Australia entire points balances vanishing overnight etc. That can and does occur, when airlines go bust.

I do not want to see Virgin take that path, I have a million or so Velocity Miles, and so do many others here.

Most of what Virgin do, they do pretty well actually, whether you think so or not. All savvy businesses in any field, always look for new things they can do to improve profit, and improve customer experience, at the same time.

Hopefully Virgin Australia can action some of them, and improve profits in future reports.

As you would know, the official VFF rep left this forum a few years ago (along with the QF rep). I do not give much credence to a lot that is written here and I expect that VA (and QF) gives even less credence. I do not see too many of the 'suggestions' here being implemented by VA so can you can interpret the amount of VA (and other airline) involvment how you like.

Also, I am not the one who launches into hysterical rants when they cannot figure out how to use the VA website, is not treated like a God at HKG check in, has to trek out the 200 gates at HKG for boarding or my bag is not first on the carousel (15 minutes...the horror!).

I am also not the one ranting about the lack of WiFi on a flight which I would have booked knowing it would not have any WiFi available and the main 'competitive' Australian opposition does not provide it either.

I am quite happy with the value for money that VA provides and that is why I do not feel the need to rant in big bold font every time something may not be perfect (or VA do not provide something they said they were not going to provide).

 

[Melburnian1]

So you do not consider the use of bold font five times larger than the normal text a rant? As a normal reader, I do.

Isn't the convention on all these blog sites that placing a word in capitals means one is 'shouting?'

I can't recall the last time I saw a word bolded on sites like this. For emphasis, one presumes. Unconventional, but some of the great men (including the Saints) throughout the centuries have been that.

I've been interested to read ozstamps' and your input. As I implied in the original post, there are some things re VA to which I do not know (or have) the answer(s), so good on ozstamps for expanding the store of knowledge. He's annoyed at lack of WiFi, but wouldn't that be shared by many business travellers? A legitimate topic to raise and one that may indeed have an effect, good or bad, on VA's revenue. costs and hence earnings.

 

[ozstamps]

As you would know, the official VFF rep left this forum a few years ago

OK, so you have now back done a total back flip, when your totally absurd and totally incorrect statement was challenged -

Pleb Status said: ↑
No one from VA management reads anything posted here. So any 'suggestions' you make here will not be considered or actioned in any way by VA.

I repeat, of course airline (and Hotel chain) management read the large Forums closely. All here seem to realise this, except you. They VERY rarely ever join as members, or post anywhere. But they do read, and take note, despite your erroneous blanket denial of that. The fact near every major ''Error Fare'' etc gets pulled fast is proof positive.

The head of a large global FF plan once contacted me direct due to posts on a flyer board. And for years cheerfully sorted any issues, and invited us for a personally guided tour of the entire multi story operation. Trust me - boards ARE read.

As to being ''hysterical'' - the only comment made re check-in in HKG, was there was one desk, staffed with one disinterested staffer, and if you feel Priority Tagged bags coming off carousel last after 15 mins, is ideal for premium pax, no wonder you do not care if Virgin loses money, as you seem to have no idea what matters to many flyers.

Profit is what Virgin wants, and tardy Priority tagged baggage etc, DOES concern them, as that occuring regularly can readily lose Biz passengers - despite you feeling that it is irrelevant to them.

Good to read the helpful post above that Virgin is indeed working on adding WiFi to the A330s as we speak basically. That, and finalising the retrofit to other half of the domestic fleet is good news.

And as to me not liking the new Virgin website - your memory failed you totally once again - MOST posting here over 5 pages agreed -

When did the new Velocity website get loaded. Talk about epic FAIL!

 

[Pleb Status]

OK, so you have now back done a total back flip, when your totally absurd and totally incorrect statement was challenged -

Pleb Status said: ↑
No one from VA management reads anything posted here. So any 'suggestions' you make here will not be considered or actioned in any way by VA.

I repeat, of course airline (and Hotel chain) management read the large Forums closely. All here seem to realise this, except you. They VERY rarely ever join as members, or post anywhere. But they do read, and take note, despite your erroneous blanket denial of that. The fact near every major ''Error Fare'' etc gets pulled fast is proof positive.

The head of a large global FF plan once contacted me direct due to posts on a flyer board. And for years cheerfully sorted any issues, and invited us for a personally guided tour of the entire multi story operation. Trust me - boards ARE read.

As to being ''hysterical'' - the only comment made re check-in in HKG, was there was one desk, staffed with one disinterested staffer, and if you feel Priority Tagged bags coming off carousel last after 15 mins, is ideal for premium pax, no wonder you do not care if Virgin loses money, as you seem to have no idea what matters to many flyers.

Profit is what Virgin wants, and tardy Priority tagged baggage etc, DOES concern them, as that occuring regularly can readily lose Biz passengers - despite you feeling that it is irrelevant to them.

Good to read the helpful post above that Virgin is indeed working on adding WiFi to the A330s as we speak basically. That, and finalising the retrofit to other half of the domestic fleet is good news.

How have I backflipped in any way?

As the airline reps left a few years ago, all of your rants (like the those above) made since their departure from AFF have most likely been in vain. It is most likely that pointless rants are the reason they abandoned AFF.

Has VA changed their website since your rants about your inability to use it? No they have not.

Can you point to any change VA (or QF for that matter) have made since the reps left due to an issue raised and championed here (and not in the general media)?

As an example of inaction, there is currently 208 pages complaining about PB on QF and nothing has happened at all to address the issue. How many 'suggestions' do QF need before they will fix the PB issue?

So all evidence points to my initial statement being completely valid.

As you made the statement that VA are not competitive with their current product, why do you still travel with them? Why not travel on the competitive alternative?

I moved all my travel from QF (and was QF P1 at the time) to VA as I considered QF not to be competitive....

 

[ozstamps]

Virgin A330 wifi starts this year as per press release. Though quietly moved from February 2019 to 2H2019.

B777's completed

B737's a work in progress: Qantas, Virgin Australia stream ahead with domestic WiFi in 2019

Very good to hear. A positive step forward. A strong marketing aspect to use, and hence may attract more premium cabin and Business passengers on the HK routes.

 

[pauly7]

Wow what a thrilling rant v no rant v bolding discussion can we behave nicely kids...

Back on topic I think it will be very interesting to see VA’s next move on international, it definitely feels like QFi years back where it really needed a drastic intervention to turn it around, but given the size of the VAi business I think that leads a lot of commentators to just say ‘ditch it’ and focus on domestic....

 

[HS-TQE]

Wow what a thrilling rant v no rant v bolding discussion can we behave nicely kids...

Back on topic I think it will be very interesting to see VA’s next move on international, it definitely feels like QFi years back where it really needed a drastic intervention to turn it around, but given the size of the VAi business I think that leads a lot of commentators to just say ‘ditch it’ and focus on domestic....

Problem is the complicated shareholder list with most of them trying to figure out how to get out of their VA shareholding either due to their own debt problems or other reasons (HNA, EY and SQ).

Especially when you got darkhorses in the wings e.g NH, DL, "undisclosed American Carrier" (according to a agent for HNA's stake), even Nanshan was mentioned as "extending their stake" at one point etc which all have their own agendas.

 

[straitman]

[mod hat]
Time for a couple of people to take a deep breath of fresh air. We can help with that if necessary but would prefer not to have to do so.
[mod hat off]

 

[clipped_wings]

Damn. I was just about to put my money on one of them.

 

[Melburnian1]

Will the new CEO of VA be the recipient of any pressure from part owners to reduce VA's international flying given it is unprofitable?