Article: Has Virgin Australia Had Its Goldilocks Moment?

[oz_mark]

It can also be the entry of Rex?

As it says, Rex was 5.3%. But Virgin at 33.6% is more than was probably expected.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I am rather amazed at VA's ability to fill aircraft, especially at the sort of prices they are commanding. Obviously strong demand but I think it is a testament to the hard work and capital injected. Proof, if you like, that the airline was always capable but had a lot of headwinds in the late 2010s.

 

[jakeseven7]

Have 8 forward bookings with VA2 until Xmas , 3 have been completely cancelled and 1 re-timed.

Clearly still suffering from light workforce coverage with the new covid wave. / the resignations that have been hitting them from a FA perspective.

 

[pangwen]

As it says, Rex was 5.3%. But Virgin at 33.6% is more than was probably expected.

Agreed, even if Rex hadn't come in and all of their patronage had gone to QF (unlikely.. I would say ZL is more attractive to a VA flyer), that would only get QF to 66.3%, still well short of the 70% target. The remaining 'QF market share underperformance' has to be due to VA.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Joining the conversation a bit late but agree on VA’s supposed reliability vs JQ.

The other thing is that VA’s fares are all inclusive. Lead-in fares outside of prime peak travel are pretty much comparable to JQ, but without having to pay for bags, or have your cabin bag weighed.

VA’s J class pricing is of course extremely attractive.

FF programs… I’ll see how VA’s is once I start serious flying next month. But I can even find a return flight to USA or Europe on QF. Actually I can, but with sectors missing and carrier charges of $1480.

So the FF program is pretty useless to me. I like VA’s four confirmed uogrades on flex fares, they’ll come in handy to Bali next year saving almost $1000 per ticket. Not that 2+2 seating to bali is worth the asking price anyway!

 

[travelislife]

I am rather amazed at VA's ability to fill aircraft, especially at the sort of prices they are commanding. Obviously strong demand but I think it is a testament to the hard work and capital injected. Proof, if you like, that the airline was always capable but had a lot of headwinds in the late 2010s.

Prices are crazy at the moment. Just an anecdote obviously, but I was surprised Virgin flight I was on Thursday night Mel-Syd was only half full. Lot of empty rows.

 

[travelislife]

Joining the conversation a bit late but agree on VA’s supposed reliability vs JQ.

The other thing is that VA’s fares are all inclusive. Lead-in fares outside of prime peak travel are pretty much comparable to JQ, but without having to pay for bags, or have your cabin bag weighed.

VA’s J class pricing is of course extremely attractive.

FF programs… I’ll see how VA’s is once I start serious flying next month. But I can even find a return flight to USA or Europe on QF. Actually I can, but with sectors missing and carrier charges of $1480.

So the FF program is pretty useless to me. I like VA’s four confirmed uogrades on flex fares, they’ll come in handy to Bali next year saving almost $1000 per ticket. Not that 2+2 seating to bali is worth the asking price anyway!

VA’s fares aren’t all inclusive. The cheapest fares don’t include baggage. Which has actually been a reason for me to pick REX when I have needed baggage.

 

[HS-TQE]

How any airline can support the 737 max is beyiond me. Greed killed 350 people yet that seems to have been swept under the carpet by Virgin. That's reason enough I'd never fly any airline morally bankrupt enough to buy and fly this 60 year old death trap legacy dud.

Singapore Airlines? They fly the 737MAX regularly into Northern Australia and around Asia.

 

[jase05]

Singapore Airlines? They fly the 737MAX regularly into Northern Australia and around Asia.

Along with FJ who seem to have no trouble filing their flights ex Australia

 

[Luke B]

How any airline can support the 737 max is beyiond me. Greed killed 350 people yet that seems to have been swept under the carpet by Virgin. That's reason enough I'd never fly any airline morally bankrupt enough to buy and fly this 60 year old death trap legacy dud.

Better not fly Air Canada, Air China, Alaska Airlines, ANA, American, China Eastern, China Southern, Delta, Fiji, Garuda, IAG Group, Korean Air, Malaysia, Qatar, Ryanair, Singapore, Southwest, United, VA and WestJet to name a few of the many...

List of Boeing 737 MAX orders and deliveries - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Paul720]

Well said-I'll fly Qantas and any other airline with the same acumen and sense when it comes to this prehistoric frame.

 

[Bagpuss]

Prices are crazy at the moment. Just an anecdote obviously, but I was surprised Virgin flight I was on Thursday night Mel-Syd was only half full. Lot of empty rows.

All my flights in 2022 were near on full. But I'm starting to notice this.

I have a Perth Melbourne return flights and both flights seem half empty (choice fares well and truly available and a number of economy velocity reward seats) for next week, other flights seems to be the same so I'd a bit surprised they haven't cancelled and consolidated.

With the high cost of flights, and velocity rewards at the same amount of points it makes the rewards seats even more attractive.

People who had pent up covid trips have most likely taken them now, and flying is going to become a luxury taking the cost of flights and the cost of everything going up.

Overall, I wouldn't be surprised to see flight reductions alongside the cost of flying reducing.

 

[TheInsider]

I have a Perth Melbourne return flights and both flights seem half empty (choice fares well and truly available and a number of economy velocity reward seats) for next week, other flights seems to be the same so I'd a bit surprised they haven't cancelled and consolidated.

Quite normal this time of the year though for it to be quieter.

 

[Bagpuss]

Quite normal this time of the year though for it to be quieter.

Considering on these routes Virgin seem to be operating more than they usually do and it's school holidays.

If the demand is lower, surely they would reduce flights or at least not boost the number of available seats?

 

[RooFlyer]

Well said-I'll fly Qantas and any other airline with the same acumen and sense when it comes to this prehistoric frame.

Which ‘prehistoric’ frame are you referring to? The 737? That Qantas runs plenty of, along with I think the majority of airlines in the world?