Hawaiian Partnership

[pauly7]

I wouldn't mention shareholders at present, hows that share-price going?

I think you know.... Not good. I hope the short term speculators that bought around 38c thinking it was a bargain didn't buy too many!

I know lots of people that are "unimpressed and uninterested" with the silly little announcements that DJ are making. Just get on with the show and announce the whole range of improvements and a time-frame to implement it.

I don't disagree with anything you say in particular, but DJ actually didn't *really* have a choice regarding this general path of approach.

What were they supposed to do, buy some more 777's and try out a few more routes and watch QF Group systematically dismantle them one by one?!

In their current financial situation and the current operating climate (before we even get to oil price) DJ just don't have the cash, operating base or expertise to take QF on head to head internationally, so they have taken the cheaper approach to team up with other airlines... QF certainly isn't about to start flying to Abu-Dhabi for example... But I'm sure them cosying up to Emirates was in part a response.

I think this is more fiscally responsible to their shareholders.

Now on top of everything else they are looking at pretty horrifying oil prices and have stated that elements of their relaunch domestically are being re-looked at and the ruler thrown over them again. Again, fiscally responsible but explains the small amount of announcements and *perhaps* less than people wanted. I'm sure some elements have been binned and/or placed on hold along the way.

I just think people should start dialling their expectations back a little. It is a very very tough operating environment out there and it's getting worse not better!

 

[LiamR]

It wouldn't suprise me if, in the future, once they have sorted out their new brand. They buy a few more A330/777's and start flying them to the Major hubs of their partners. Such as AUH, LAX and SIN (SQ?) Meaning you can get at least half the way on VA metal...

Saying that, for me going to AUH in November, VA can take me there, at the right time, out of the right airports, just on the wrong day. I'm sure the frequency will improve as they have more aircraft arrive.

 

[oz_mark]

I know lots of people that are "unimpressed and uninterested" with the silly little announcements that DJ are making. Just get on with the show and announce the whole range of improvements and a time-frame to implement it.

In an overall sense they have announced an overall strategy and put some timelines on that. Now comes the filling in of the details. Thr problem with announcing detail too early is the delivery risk around actually undertaking the detail in what is quite a dynamic environment.

To take one example, we know that there is a Velocity relaunch coming later this year. Presumably there is a whole program of work happening to define the details of that. There may not actually be that much they can tell us at this stage, except perhaps at a high level.

As for the rebranding, word on the street is that there may be something coming out on May 4th.

 

[docjames]

If you look at Aus-EU in reverse, most EU airlines now dont fly into Aus. Why? Loads and economics. It's more profitable (at less risk) to fly FRA-SIN on LH then put pax on SQ or QF into SYD/MEL/BNE etc. Same for Air France. Same for Finnair. And multiple others not based in Asia or ME. With the exception of QF and BA (who've been on the route for so long, and have their own alliance on the route), the other airlines that come direct from LHR/EU are all asia/middle east based, so they are flying pax from various ports into their hub, then out again. No second stops from a non-hub port. Another reason why QF are desperate to fortify their presence (rightly or wrongly) in SIN (and/or elsewhere).

The exception that comes to mind is Virgin Atlantic (via HKG to SYD), but they only serve one port in Aus with their own metal.

Do the reverse for VA, and they can fly pax in from Australian cities, link up with a partner, and span them out to multiple destinations. One of the prime complaints about flying QF to EU is that you're stuck going to either FRA or LHR, with time-poor connections to other cities. The ME and Asian carriers can fly you direct into your port of choice without an intermediate after the hub. QF will mimic this model with JQ into "lesser" ports ex-SQ.

Codeshares work. I happen to think this is a much better model for VA to follow, and with time, some of the more major routes might be feasible with thier own metal beyond the single stop.

 

[medhead]

I wouldn't mention shareholders at present,

It's not just VBA there are plenty of frustrated QAN shareholders out there as well.

As I said, much easier to slap a DJ code on as many airlines as possible and hope for the best. Passengers remember the actual airline, not a code, when they end up on a Etihad flight, they will remember the Etihad flight/crew/seat, and not that they booked it through DJ's website. They will book directly with Etihad next time.

What and give up there velocity points and status. This is the second time you've mentioned this and you still seem to ignore the benefits of status recognition on the partner airlines. VA/Etihad is a much more attractive option to get to Munich than QF (for me) now with the partner option. In summary it is much more than just a codeshare.

 

[lovestotravel]

The majority of punters flying have no status and don't care, especially to Hawaii!

 

[dk4]

Is a proxy airline, a poxy idea?

Certainly an interesting discussion. Are code-shares an asset or a liability, and what's next? (From alliances & onboard ambassadors to metal neutrality, I don't think that airline retail/wholesale relationships will disappear, but they seem to be becoming more sophisticated, to enable management of consumer expectations.)

Many have presented the pros, like - instant network (reach & frequency), low investment (low risk).

But the more partners an airline has, the more problems it generates for itself.

So I have to agree with lovestotravel on the cons, like - quality control, brand loyalty & consistency.

 

[adampenrith]

Any partnership / codeshare that allows me to earn points and burn points is a VALUE ADDED benefit to my Velocity membership.

SO WELL DONE VIRGIN AUSTRALIA GROUP .

Your efforts to create a better airline group is creating wonderful WIN WIN relationships and I look forward to many more years of being able to fly on an Australian airline that puts exceptional customer service up there.

Yes like any organisation sometimes they don't meet the targets they set themselves - but I have personally never had an issue with this airline.

 

[medhead]

The majority of punters flying have no status and don't care, especially to Hawaii!

But you do and I thought you were giving us your view, as to how it doesn't bother you. My mistake, I didn't realise you were talking on behalf of the majority of punters going to Hawaii.

 

[lovestotravel]

But you do and I thought you were giving us your view, as to how it doesn't bother you. My mistake, I didn't realise you were talking on behalf of the majority of punters going to Hawaii.

Yep your mistake indeed.

Have already explained this but will again.

Of the times I have been on Jetstar in *Class to Hawaii

The lounge has about 30-40 people in it, with most of these coming back to the *Class cabin

The other 250+ people in most cases will have just booked with Jetstar on the cheapest fare with no care-factor for earning FF points. Much like the current Facebook crew, all they keep asking for is cheap fares, and more Happy Hour sale fares to more destinations.

 

[lovestotravel]

Is a proxy airline, a poxy idea?

But the more partners an airline has, the more problems it generates for itself.

So I have to agree with lovestotravel on the cons, like - quality control, brand loyalty & consistency.

Yep - It is nice to think that you Gold velocity status will get you a few more benefits, on all these airlines, and as I said most on here will like that. But as with any forum, we are the small minority and are the exception to the rule. We try to scam/earn every promotion and ensure that we maintain/retain status to enjoy the small perks that can be enjoyed with this.

However, the majority of people that travel don't really care. They want a cheap airfare and good consistent service.

 

[medhead]

Yep your mistake indeed.

Have already explained this but will again.

Of the times I have been on Jetstar in *Class to Hawaii

The lounge has about 30-40 people in it, with most of these coming back to the *Class cabin

Yes clearly I was mistaken. I thought you had a well developed argument for writing off the entire DJ partner strategy. I didn't realise it was only based on jetstar on one route.