Bain Capital takes Control of Virgin Australia

[openseat]

Bit surprised they'd consider shuttering Canberra, admittedly it hasn't been that busy the times I've been there (unlike their SYD lounge). Guess QF was super effective at keeping the golden handcuffs on the CBR govt and contractor travellers.

I’ve always thought that the handing out of CL membership deserves a look into when it comes to the Australian Public Service and federal politicians.

 

[RAM]

Well this is getting a bit better.

Email about VFF came through earlier.




So click through to good questions and there are some more reassuring details to cause upset for the chicken-little brigade!



click through to 'Partner Carriers', and it shows a big list (seemingly not updated).

click on one and possibly one more click leads to:

Velocity Program Update – Airline Partners

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Shown as last updated September 2020.


All other Airline Partner Operated flights


Velocity members will continue to earn Points and Status Credits when travelling on all of our international partner airlines which do not have a VA flight number and will also continue to earn a Tier Bonus when travelling on Virgin Australia, Delta Air Lines and Etihad Airways flights.

To make a booking please visit our partner airlines website or contact your preferred travel agent and enter your Velocity Frequent Flyer Member details at the booking screen.

Partner Airline Lounge Access

Velocity Platinum and Gold members continue to have access to a wide range of airline partner lounges globally. However, from September 2020 access to Alitalia, Hainan Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines lounges will no longer be available. Find out more details of our global lounge network.

Delta Air Lines

From September 2020 Velocity Platinum, Gold and Silver members are no longer able to apply for Complimentary Upgrades to Delta Comfort+. Additionally, as Virgin Australia has paused the sale of Delta flights with a Virgin Australia (VA) flight number, Velocity members are currently unable to Upgrade with Points on these flights.

Velocity Members will continue to earn Points and receive frequent flyer benefits when flying on Delta operated flights which do not have a VA flight number. Lounge access also remains available to eligible Members. To make a booking please visit delta.com or contact your preferred travel agent and enter your Velocity Frequent Flyer Member details at the booking screen.

Effective September 2020

So, prompts the questions - has anyone flown SIA/Etihad etc in October or November and linked the flight to their VFF# or was't anyone that much of a riskseeker?

 

[RAM]

I’ve always thought that the handing out of CL membership deserves a look into when it comes to the Australian Public Service and federal politicians.

As a SMH article revealed > 10 senior bureaucrats at the ACCC have accepted CL complementary memberships.

 

[AIRwin]

Branson's Virgin Group nabs 5pc stake in Virgin Australia

Richard Branson' s Virgin Group has finalised its deal to become the second biggest shareholder in Bain Capital's Virgin Australia.

www.afr.com

 

[Spongbob]

VAH listing on the ASX have be "cancelled".
I now understand certain reactions to the US presidential election: one day my share portfolio was showing "$$$$$$$$", and then suddenly it is now showing "$"!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

So, they still haven't mentioned if they are going to continue with the Virgin name.
Or will they?
Uluru Airlines Australia!
Katatjuta Air!
Bain Corporate Airways has a certain, umm wry ring to it.

 

[Mattg]

Paul Scurrah was interviewed on the Curveball podcast both before and after his removal as CEO from Virgin Australia. I found both interviews really interesting and insightful. Definitely worth a listen if you're interested in this stuff - Curveball podcast — Deadset Studios

The longer episode talks about how he guided VA through the administration period, and how he was looking forward to working with Bain to guide the airline out the other side of this. The shorter "bonus" episode was recorded more recently, and is the only interview I'm aware of where Paul reflects on his removal as CEO, which he claims was a mutual agreement with Bain.

This article also summarises a few highlights from that interview - 'Not a one-trick pony': Virgin's outgoing CEO Paul Scurrah says it's possible to cut jobs while treating staff well

 

[oz_mark]

So, they still haven't mentioned if they are going to continue with the Virgin name.
Or will they?

They will.

 

[jakeseven7]

Paul Scurrah was interviewed on the Curveball podcast both before and after his removal as CEO from Virgin Australia. I found both interviews really interesting and insightful. Definitely worth a listen if you're interested in this stuff - Curveball podcast — Deadset Studios

The longer episode talks about how he guided VA through the administration period, and how he was looking forward to working with Bain to guide the airline out the other side of this. The shorter "bonus" episode was recorded more recently, and is the only interview I'm aware of where Paul reflects on his removal as CEO, which he claims was a mutual agreement with Bain.

This article also summarises a few highlights from that interview - 'Not a one-trick pony': Virgin's outgoing CEO Paul Scurrah says it's possible to cut jobs while treating staff well

The pre-Bain stuff is interestingish - but he’s clearly got a very strong gag order on him probably tied to his golden parachute because he’s parroting all the Bain and Jayne lines like they are the second coming and Jayne did him a massive favour getting him fired cough sorry mutual decision yeah right

He’s popped up in media saying this stuff now for a week... the cynic in me is that he’s PR’ing his job hunting and making sure the companies pursuing him know he’s in demand....

....and do you know what good on him, He’s had a lemon of a last role and been done over pretty hard, I wish him best of luck to get a great new gig.

 

[OZDUCK]

The pre-Bain stuff is interestingish - but he’s clearly got a very strong gag order on him probably tied to his golden parachute because he’s parroting all the Bain and Jayne lines like they are the second coming and Jayne did him a massive favour getting him fired cough sorry mutual decision yeah right

He’s popped up in media saying this stuff now for a week... the cynic in me is that he’s PR’ing his job hunting and making sure the companies pursuing him know he’s in demand....

....and do you know what good on him, He’s had a lemon of a last role and been done over pretty hard, I wish him best of luck to get a great new gig.

Agreed - he is proving that he is a 'team player' in the terms of not rocking the boat after being ushered out the door. That, and the fact that he personally seemed to do very little wrong in the demise of Virgin, can only help to improve his chances of another high profile position.

 

[oz_mark]

PS is still engaged at Virgin as an advisor.

 

[RAM]

...and no company employs anyone who tells where the bodies are buried - no need for a gag order/agreement.

Honesty may be the best policy but does not pay well in the modern world.

More interesting (+ve) with the ACCC approving VA's alliance with Alliance. I wonder how one 10% shareholder feels at the moment (of Alliance that is).

We all know how Rex is feeling - all of a sudden their business plan needs a major revision.

 

[hydrabyss]

...and no company employs anyone who tells where the bodies are buried - no need for a gag order/agreement.

Honesty may be the best policy but does not pay well in the modern world.

More interesting (+ve) with the ACCC approving VA's alliance with Alliance. I wonder how one 10% shareholder feels at the moment (of Alliance that is).

We all know how Rex is feeling - all of a sudden their business plan needs a major revision.

Yeah I can't imagine you would need an incentive to keep your mouth shut other than wanting to work again in a similar role.

 

[openseat]

..

More interesting (+ve) with the ACCC approving VA's alliance with Alliance. I wonder how one 10% shareholder feels at the moment (of Alliance that is).

We all know how Rex is feeling - all of a sudden their business plan needs a major revision.

Great insight as usual RAM. I thought it very telling that in one stroke VA puts pressure back on Rex and QF. I do wonder if Alliance will run Canberra flights for Virgin.

 

[AIRwin]

I do wonder if Alliance will run Canberra flights for Virgin.

CBR is listed in the submission:

Virgin Australia resumes some regional services (some ports operated by Alliance)

Many are operated by mainline 737s, although a few are operated by Alliance. https://newsroom.virginaustralia.com/release/virgin-australia-lands-emerald-and-alice-springs-ahead-expanded-holiday-options-summer • Reintroduction of regional routes between Brisbane-Alice Springs and...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[HS-TQE]

CBR to most Australian capitals was listed. It's speculated that QQ will be doing the bulk of the CBR work for VA.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

No J class on those F70/F100 flown by QQ on behalf of VA tho.
Meaning if we want a bit of "lux" or space, we have to phone up and buy "comfort seat booking" or over wing seating.
Hope that VA3 will allow us to still phone up and do "comfort seat booking".

 

[henrus]

Hope that VA3 will allow us to still phone up and do "comfort seat booking".

I can't see why they wouldn't. Even jetstar does it and it's not as if it costs them anymore because you are still paying for the seat.

 

[flydoc]

CBR to most Australian capitals was listed. It's speculated that QQ will be doing the bulk of the CBR work for VA.

No J class on those F70/F100 flown by QQ on behalf of VA tho.

CBR VA lounge or not - to have any hope of attracting those commuters, QQ would have to operate the recently acquired E190s on the CBR runs rather than F70/100 wouldn’t they?

 

[SeaWolf]

CBR VA lounge or not - to have any hope of attracting those commuters, QQ would have to operate the recently acquired E190s on the CBR runs rather than F70/100 wouldn’t they?

I don't really see why, QantasLink operates the SYD/MEL/BNE-CBR route with the Dash8 and 717, both of which are a pretty mediocre and very dated.