A330s what to do with ?

[dajop]

There is a reason the VA A330's were pulled off trans con in the first place remember, they weren't filling them so had to look for other places to deploy them. Maybe the demand dynamics have changed since then, but unlikely dramatically.

Yes, indeed. At the end of the day quite a few airlines are going to have serious financial problems over the next few months. If VA can escape from all this with just parking 330s for longer than they should, that's probably a least worst outcome.

 

[ozfflyer]

Do a deal with ET and fly PER-ADD. Imagine the Africa connectivity!!! (joking, makes as much as sense as hubbing through AKL to LAX). MEL-HNL (no HA or QF flights, only JQ)??

Transcontinental may make sense, parking may make sense (if cost of fuel + maintenance + crewing > revenue then it doesn't make sense to operate), who knows maybe they could combine some of the quarter hourly SYD/MEL flights into an A330 service.

turning an A330 takes much longer than a B738 though ? Min is about 90 mins verses 30 mins I thought.

Post automatically merged: Feb 21, 2020

There is a reason the VA A330's were pulled off trans con in the first place remember, they weren't filling them so had to look for other places to deploy them. Maybe the demand dynamics have changed since then, but unlikely dramatically.

so an A330 transcon would surely then replace 2 x B738s, so would frequency have to be reduced ? Would free up some B738s.

 

[dajop]

so an A330 transcon would surely then replace 2 x B738s, so would frequency have to be reduced ? Would free up some B738s.

Less frequency = less competitive with QF though. It would free up 738's, perhaps to park instead of parking the 330's.

 

[Harthagan]

What about a trans tasman route replacing a 737?

 

[ozfflyer]

What about a trans tasman route replacing a 737?

maybe, but probably only on BNE, OOL, SYD, MEL, PER/AKL at Easter & school holidays. ADL/AKL ?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Given Qantas continues to bicker with Perth airport, a seasonal PER-AKL might be a play worth exploring. But it would come at some expense as VA does not have any international operations at PER any more.

Post automatically merged: Feb 22, 2020

Given Qantas continues to bicker with Perth airport, a seasonal PER-AKL might be a play worth exploring. But it would come at some expense as VA does not have any international operations at PER any more.

 

[oliverd]

Bit off topic, but just had a look at this as I’m looking for SYD/LAX fares and T&Cs include stuff like “TICKETS MUST BE ISSUED ON HR AND MAY NOT BE SOLD IN AUSTRALIA/ CANADA/ FRANCE/ GERMANY/ IRELAND/ NETHERLANDS/ NEW
ZEALAND... “

And a reference to Frequent flier points not being earned.

Doesn’t fill me with confidence...

wow

just got an email from an travel industry sales agency

Breakaway Travelclub Virgin Australia Industry Rates to LAX from $499*

Specifically $499 in low season SYD, MEL, BNE to LAX return not including taxes of around $200

View attachment 206249

 

[exceladdict]

There is a reason the VA A330's were pulled off trans con in the first place remember, they weren't filling them so had to look for other places to deploy them. Maybe the demand dynamics have changed since then, but unlikely dramatically.

Flew a jam packed mel-per 332 yesterday; being delayed didn't help but it contrasted heavily to the lighter 332 transcon loads I've had on VA last year.

 

[BNEFlyer]

The A330 used on MEL-HKG is going to BNE-HND, the SYD-HKG one will most likely go to PER.

 

[twinaisle]

Utilized on existing network and of course BNE-HND

 

[ozfflyer]

Bit off topic, but just had a look at this as I’m looking for SYD/LAX fares and T&Cs include stuff like “TICKETS MUST BE ISSUED ON HR AND MAY NOT BE SOLD IN AUSTRALIA/ CANADA/ FRANCE/ GERMANY/ IRELAND/ NETHERLANDS/ NEW
ZEALAND... “

And a reference to Frequent flier points not being earned.

Doesn’t fill me with confidence...

travel industry tickets never earn frequent flyer points

 

[jazza1971]

Maybe they will run it to Bali.....

 

[ozfflyer]

Maybe they will run it to Bali.....

the health system in Indo is not very good. Corona might see all flights to Indo stopped very soon.

 

[samas]

I wouldn't be surprised if we see the A332 pop up again on a few sectors between Perth and Brisbane. Always been close to full loads when I travelled that city pair.

Also flown between PER and BNE via SYD a few times as one-way economy pushing $1,000 on a direct PER BNE on late lead bookings.

 

[Harthagan]

the health system in Indo is not very good. Corona might see all flights to Indo stopped very soon.

This is a tad concerning. I have elevate fare return flights already booked

Would virgin issue refunds if the travel advice warnings escalated for bali, or would we just be left to claim through travel insurance?

 

[Melburnian1]

This is a tad concerning. I have elevate fare return flights already booked

Would virgin issue refunds if the travel advice warnings escalated for bali, or would we just be left to claim through travel insurance?

You'd be likely to get a full refund, much as any airline would vastly prefer not to.

I agree: health system in Indonesia is not great. Health experts are suggesting Indonesia has coronavirus cases but hasn't detected them (due to inability to test etc.)

 

[ozfflyer]

You'd be likely to get a full refund, much as any airline would vastly prefer not to.

I agree: health system in Indonesia is not great. Health experts are suggesting Indonesia has coronavirus cases but hasn't detected them (due to inability to test etc.)

the whole refund issue is interesting. There comes a point, when airlines can't refund, as their credit is exhausted.

ie. who would fund the refunds ?

A "few 1000" refunds could probably close some airlines down.

Could Virgin for example, cast Virgin International adrift ?

 

[Harthagan]

the whole refund issue is interesting. There comes a point, when airlines can't refund, as their credit is exhausted.

ie. who would fund the refunds ?

A "few 1000" refunds could probably close some airlines down.

Could Virgin for example, cast Virgin International adrift ?

Well id assume the refunds are funded by the original payment of the fare. They won't be flying empty planes to countries that have travel bans.

 

[ozfflyer]

Well id assume the refunds are funded by the original payment of the fare. They won't be flying empty planes to countries that have travel bans.

fares can be paid 11 months before travel. Airline can use those $ for working capital (if banks don't hold credit card payments in trust)

All the more reason to pay by credit card.
Not sure what time limitation is on card chargebacks in Australia. Does anyone know ? 12 months ?

 

[Harthagan]

well in that case they would be trading insolvent. If they sell seats for a flight and don't fly the plane they have to have the liquidity to refund the fares