Air New Zealand ends alliance with Virgin Australia [goes with Qantas]

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Apologies if already posted elsewhere but just saw this come across my Bloomberg. Not sure what this actually means from a FF perspective if VA and NZ will remain strategic partners but interesting nonetheless

 

[Pleb Status]

It was ended by NZ and not by VA.

The 'differences' between the two CEO must run deep.

https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20180404/pdf/43syhnm1l8b10d.pdf
https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20180404/pdf/43syjd9br76chk.pdf

Reading the VA announcement it looks like this will be a total breakup including VFF earn...

 

[Falcs]

Bit surprising, I thought it was a mutually beneficial partnership ...

 

[glasszon]

I know it's beating on a dead horse, but it would be great if this will finally encourage VA to join a proper alliance, even Skyteam would be good.

 

[gwilli1]

Story now up on AusBT https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-air-new-zealand-end-trans-tasman-alliance

Here comes Tiger to do Trans Tasman

 

[greenfish]

Sad news... I primarily maintain VA status for access to NZ lounges in NZ.... I guess it is back to QF I go...

 

[moa999]

Wonder about the long term impact on the already haphazard lounge situation

 

[greenfish]

Wonder about the long term impact on the already haphazard lounge situation

The cynic in me would say - one less lounge option - so maybe less haphazard now

 

[serfty]

So it seems Codeshares to be removed - but I suspect AirNZ will still want access to VA's Australian access for their HVC's.

 

[Pleb Status]

I note the following quote from Ausbt on the current VA lounge access arrangements -

"including Virgin Australia's domestic lounge in Melbourne prior to some international flights."

I hope they are just as quick to mention in the future about pax accessing the QF domestic lounges in PER prior to all international flights, with the exception of QF9.

 

[esquire]

Sad news... I primarily maintain VA status for access to NZ lounges in NZ.... I guess it is back to QF I go...

Same with me - the only real reason I have persisted with VA status was because I fly to regional NZ regularly... hmmm

 

[cliche_flying_kiwi]

Having dealt with Air New Zealand while working with another one of their former "partners" this does not surprise me.

They do not play nice with the other children and have serious delusions of grandeur about their own pulling power and ability to do it all themselves.

 

[Bagpuss]

I'm somewhat surprised. Whilst I maintain the stance you don't need to have a financial holding in an interest to have a network partner / code-share I didn't see this coming to obviously. Though this is really Air New Zealand wanting to stand on it's own feet.
I think it's handing market share over to Qantas on a silver platter.
No doubt, the obvious outcome will be a price ware between carriers, VA to code-share on the SQ flights to NZ and suspect Tigerair will operate some of the services.

From a lounge point of view in Sydney I'd place a bet on them using the SkyTeam lounge.

 

[Dannyism]

Yeah quite unfortunate as the Air NZ lounges are terrific. A shame for anyone who flies regularly across the Tasman.

I think AirNZ imagines they have enough strength in their own brand and fleet to go it alone, particularly with *A. But I wonder if this is a bad move for them as VA would provide feeder passengers from regional destinations who are heading to NZ for holidays etc.

 

[jsm2090]

Hilarious that all the VA haters are coming out in the comments section on the Ausbt article saying that it's 'another nail in the coffin for VA'. This is disappointing news, but as far as I'm concerned, VA is on a good upward trajectory, and the SQ/DL partnership is one reason I stick with them. I have also received exceptional service on the phone/in the air/on the ground which can't be said for QF employees.

 

[dajop]

I wonder if the withdrawal of most Emirates trans-tasman services has strengthened yields and given NZ the confidence to go it alone?

 

[gwilli1]

Just throwing it out there ...would VA now look to utilize an A330 with " The Business" to AKL ex SYD or MEL in a peak period ( ie Fri PM / Sat AM / Sun PM / Mon AM) to increase some capacity on the TT route ?

Swap the seasonal Nadi A330 service over to AKL to attract premium pax away from ANZ .

 

[JK1964]

Pity, but this may backfire on NZ. I cannot see Velocity members rushing to NZ as the Airpoints program is absolute rubbish. VA will no doubt find another lounge for trans Tasman services. The one thing
I will miss is access to domestic lounges in New Zealand, which are quite good (especially CHC domestic). Will stick with Velocity anyway. Access to DL lounges in US a big plus. Top tier NZ don’t get access to domestic UA lounges.

 

[TomVexille]

... Top tier NZ don’t get access to domestic UA lounges.

Since when were *G customers not allowed in UA lounges?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Hopefully some positives will eventuate. Like VA thinking about alliance membership and perhaps bringing TT up to a more attractive LCC