Any chances of VA providing services to HKG

[ap_spd]

With recent announcement of Virgin Atlantic dropping HKG - SYD, will VA be the one to offer services to HKG ? Else, what is the alternative to have people fly to London via HKG ?

 

[TomVexille]

Possibly Cathay

 

[Intra]

Nothing within the VA Virtual Network direct - HKG/LHR.... You'd have to fly either CX or QF, both OW

If anything, VA will first start flying SIN direct on there own metal to connect with SQ hub, which is a rumour that's been on & off for months... Could a A332 even do SYD-HKG?

 

[TomVexille]

Nothing within the VA Virtual Network direct - HKG/LHR.... You'd have to fly either CX or QF, both OW

If anything, VA will first start flying SIN direct on there own metal to connect with SQ hub, which is a rumour that's been on & off for months... Could a A332 even do SYD-HKG?

An A332 could easily do SYD-HKG

 

[ap_spd]

was looking at tickets via SIN, why would anyone be adding 5-6 hours and a stop over to go via SIN.

and I think the rumor of SIN as next international destination were on until VS was still serving HKG - SYD. Now that there is no way for VA to have pax fly direct to HKG it makes sense that VA fly to HKG. The singapore hub is served by SQ well already

 

[mannej]

Nothing within the VA Virtual Network direct - HKG/LHR.... You'd have to fly either CX or QF, both OW

If anything, VA will first start flying SIN direct on there own metal to connect with SQ hub, which is a rumour that's been on & off for months... Could a A332 even do SYD-HKG?

Considering QF have run their 333's to HKG from MEL, PER, SYD and BNE, the 332 won't have any issues as it has more legs.

 

[TomVexille]

Considering QF have run their 333's to HKG from MEL, PER, SYD and BNE, the 332 won't have any issues as it has more legs.

CX run thier A333's to pretty much every Aus destination as well

 

[Clivem]

Strange the timing of the statement by Judith Crompton (The Australian) ..... On Feb 3 or there about ........ I don't for one minute think it was a case of the Australian just picking Judy's number at random for a filler story - Clearly the VA spin doctors wanted to get some sort of teaser out ........the timing if nothing else is 'interesting' given the VS announcement to drop Aust.

Quote in regard to the new A330 due 9/2014 -

"We're now spending the time evaluating what we're actually going to do with that A330, so over the next couple of months we should actually have a decision on that" Crompton told the Australian .
"Because it comes in September, I would probably like to have it in the selling system for wherever we're sending it to over the next couple of months, so we can maximise all of those revenue opportunities."

Given the turn of events it will be interesting to watch what unfolds ....... The VS Hong Kong run was real value when redeeming it will be missed

 

[Mwenenzi]

With recent announcement of Virgin Atlantic dropping HKG - SYD, will VA be the one to offer services to HKG ? Else, what is the alternative to have people fly to London via HKG ?

A lot of people who go to London (or where ever) do not care (or even know) what the transit city is. If VS could not make it pay unlikely VA can. For HKG as a destination there competing airlines now. There a lot of airlines from Australia to London via SIN, HKG, various Chinese cities and Middle East cities. Remember here on AFF we are in the 5% who even notice such things

 

[bullerdude]

If VA choose another overseas destination, I think it is far more likely to be one of their parter's airlines major hubs so support their code-share routes.

 

[Bolthead]

For selfish reasons I would prefer to see VA fly direct to PVG rather than HKG (our son lives in Shanghai) or VA setup code share arrangements with China Eastern.

 

[JohnPhelan]

For selfish reasons I would prefer to see VA fly direct to PVG rather than HKG (our son lives in Shanghai) or VA setup code share arrangements with China Eastern.

I believe QF already has this wrapped up!

 

[yohy?!]

I think HKG is ripe for VA to move in at present, the only barrier will be SQ but I doubt they would resist - QF is in major retreat on this route ex-AUS and VA would have much better chances of marketing it to business travellers than VS did mostly for leisure pax.

the main question will be China connections and i see CX delighting in putting VA code on their china flights at QFs expense

 

[Bolthead]

I believe QF already has this wrapped up!

You're exactly right however, just wishful thinking on my part.

 

[bryanjones]

If VS couldnt make money on the route, are we thinking that VA may have a lower cost base to make it profitable?

 

[TomVexille]

If VS couldnt make money on the route, are we thinking that VA may have a lower cost base to make it profitable?

Well an a332 will have a lower operating cost than the a346 VS are using.

 

[openseat]

Well an a332 will have a lower operating cost than the a346 VS are using.

The A330 seems to be the plane of choice for Aus-Asia given how much is used by different carriers, esp. CX.

 

[Clivem]

Anybody want to offer any odds and a brief reason for same ..... ?

VA Metal Aust to Hong Kong ... odds ?
VA Metal Aust to Singapore ... odds ?
VA Metal Aust to Shanghai ... odds ?
VA Metal Aust to any other Asian port other than Denpasar ... odds ?

 

[AIRwin]

VA Metal Aust to any other Asian port other than Denpasar ... odds ?

VA already operate their own metal between PER and HKT, not quite HKG...

 

[smit0847]

I don't think VA will be able to make this profitable until they improve their A330 J product to be fully flat. They are competing with CX and QF A380 both who have fully-flat J products and unless they are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper high rev business pax will go for comfort and frequency.

If VA could find a route with high numbers of business travellers but compeditors with a poor J product there would be money to be made (PVG? MNL? BOM?)