Introducing Virgin Blue's new A330 Service

[anat0l]

I wish DJ all the best with this, but given the current climate of high oil prices I think they are going to need it and with QF throwing everything at DJ

I am not sure what I was expecting but simply re-launching an ex-Emirates product has kinda let me down I guess....

...

We shall see what happens in the next few months with pricing and offerings and final announcements.

I am just impatient :evil:

I totally agree with you. The whole rebranding roll-out is boring. Do it properly or not at all. I am so bored with DJ's strategy of feeding us small segments of their rebranding (menu changes, half painted planes, interviews with hints of possible names, ra ra ra I am over it. It's not a corporate approach considering they want more 'corporate' business. :evil:

I think impatience is the thing here.

You have to admit that QF can't do much better. They only half roll out things themselves. For example, A380 implementation. A330 domestic implementation. NGCI and full testing from that.

A lot of us are still waiting on QF to consolidate its F strategy and more importantly update its product on the 744s before actually getting more A380s.

The only avid strategies that QF seems to roll out consistently and quickly are route withdrawals, ticket price hikes and JQ route replacements / boosts.

Even with the PER competition - all that QF have done is announced 744s to be put on the PER route (SYD only as it seems). Big deal. Show us some real benefits for J / corporate travelers. And stop saying, "Award Winning Skybed" - yes you won an award - get over it, that was ages ago (I won a ribbon for 1st place in Year 1 spelling competition - so what?). (Needless to say I don't care much for QF's marketing like "award winning" or "Neil Perry" - I don't abhor it, I just ignore it).

So whilst some effort is required to wrest corporate travelers away from QF, I don't think a piecemeal marketing strategy will detract from their efforts, because QF isn't doing much better.

QF doesn't roll out a special every time it offers a new feature. DJ need it to shake up the market, so here they are.

Today, it's been revealed that the Coles group are intending to fully go for the jugular of Woolworth's reign on the supermarket sector by doing a very aggressive albeit profit-losing marketing and pricing strategy. What a coincidence given this announcement by DJ. Both, however, have good potential to achieve their objectives.

 

[awilcockson]

bah, well and truly beaten.

http://www.virginblue.com.au/Personal/Services/Seating/AirbusA330/index.htm

 

[stuartfaz]

Considering using a free flight voucher or two to go on the inaugurals, but couldn't get close to affording the Business class.

 

[LiamR]

I think impatience is the thing here.

You have to admit that QF can't do much better. They only half roll out things themselves. For example, A380 implementation. A330 domestic implementation. NGCI and full testing from that.

A lot of us are still waiting on QF to consolidate its F strategy and more importantly update its product on the 744s before actually getting more A380s.

The only avid strategies that QF seems to roll out consistently and quickly are route withdrawals, ticket price hikes and JQ route replacements / boosts.

Even with the PER competition - all that QF have done is announced 744s to be put on the PER route (SYD only as it seems). Big deal. Show us some real benefits for J / corporate travelers. And stop saying, "Award Winning Skybed" - yes you won an award - get over it, that was ages ago (I won a ribbon for 1st place in Year 1 spelling competition - so what?). (Needless to say I don't care much for QF's marketing like "award winning" or "Neil Perry" - I don't abhor it, I just ignore it).

So whilst some effort is required to wrest corporate travelers away from QF, I don't think a piecemeal marketing strategy will detract from their efforts, because QF isn't doing much better.

QF doesn't roll out a special every time it offers a new feature. DJ need it to shake up the market, so here they are.

I half agree with what your saying, however the way Virgin are announcing this whole package I find frustrating. Yesterday announced they have something BIG on Monday, then they come out with one little thing, they are really trying to build up the type.

QF do the same, but nowhere near as bad as Virgin. For instance, they didn't drop a bunch of sneaky hints a month beore NCGI was announced. It just came out one day, no hype, just happened.


I can see why Virgin are doing this, after all, it is a big move/makeover for the company and they want to take their time. But by bringing out these little featuers one by one (And only ever saying the positive features and leaving you in the dark for the rest)

Hopefully the rest will all be comming in one big package soon. But next time I see them post on their facebook the night before there is a big announcement comming shortly, I'm not going to be holding my breath.

 

[lovestotravel]

Yes impatient, and a little sick of the failings by DJ, prior to JB's apointment though.

Flying 777's to tourist destinations
Constant changes to existing flights to LA with timings and days of operations

Then wondering why loads were low...

The more recent decision to fly every few days to Abu Dhabi... Not sure that's going to work either..... Focus on the USA and build your base.. Now that QF has pulled out of SFO there is a great opportunity to connect with Virgin America there.....

That aside, here we are in April 2011 and they are fumbling around with tidbits of information.

Just launch your product in FULL and get on with it, DJ seem to be fixated with the Facebook and Twitter crowds... Yet the majority of comments on each and every DJ Facebook is hilarious. All they want is specials and cheaper flights....

I am sure the "corporate market" is not enticed by a Facebook announcment, nor the new name, nor the free limo for a few months, nor the Gold status, they are gimmicks which belong to the low-end leisure segment.

About the only good thing DJ has done recently is the "kerbside" SYD lounge, and the revamping of their lounges. These are REAL things that will keep and attract new customers.

As for QF - The A330 domestic implementation is a flop to, but I wonder how many of these A330's were discounted as compensation for A380 delays......

The 744 refit is nice, but that needs to hurry up too! A380 rollout has also been "delayed" both by Airbus and Qantas.. I also heard the Qantas has delayed the A380 deliveries this year a little as well.

744's on the Perth route, nice, if you get it... But you get either a falling apart 767-300, an A330 or a 744. Again consistency fail here too!

Again, I nearly all my flights for the rest of the year are on DJ and I do always prefer the competition than the incumbent.

I will be happy once the FULL strategy and implementation of DJ is announced!

 

[oz_mark]

4. Strangely QF have a special at the moment on J to PER, funny that, for flghts were the specials are gone its a much bigger delta:

I am not sure that it is really a special on the QF site. Qantas has had 2-tier pricing on the PER routes for a while. The cheaper fare is 'I' class, while the more expensive is 'J' class.

 

[markis10]

I am not sure that it is really a special on the QF site. Qantas has had 2-tier pricing on the PER routes for a while. The cheaper fare is 'I' class, while the more expensive is 'J' class.

Qantas have been advertising it on the FF home page once you log in as a special.

 

[oz_mark]

Qantas have been advertising it on the FF home page once you log in as a special.

Not to me they haven't:shock:

 

[samh004]

Not to me they haven't:shock:

Neither, and I even turned off my ad-blocker to see if an advert had been hidden. Must take into account where you’re based perhaps, which is odd as I’d have thought markis10’s account would have been at least in the same state as mine for offers

 

[lovestotravel]

Hmmm if you go to Domestic flight specials from Sydney

The J fare SYD-PER is advertised as $1915

 

[Mal]

Interesting perks they are offering to get people to try:

A330 Product Launch Promotion | Virgin Blue

Exclusive Launch Promotion
Complimentary Limousine

For a limited time only, eligible A330 Business Class Guests will have a personal limousine transfer included as part of their journey* when you book and travel before July 15 2011.

This service includes

Luxury sedan for both arrival and departure at T2, Sydney Domestic Airport
Available to/ from Sydney Domestic Airport anywhere within 60km
Complimentary newspapers and bottled water
A comfortable and stress-free journey from the moment you leave home

Eligible booking period

Book on or between 4 April 2011 and 15 July 2011

Eligible travel period

Travel on or before 15 July 2011

How to book

Complimentary limousine transfers can be requested up to 6 hours prior to your scheduled flight departure or arrival. To make a request, call Virgin Blue on 13 67 67 between 6:00am and 10:00pm AEST Monday to Sunday and quote your booking reference number.

Complimentary limousine transfers are available within 60km of Sydney Domestic Airport, and will be provided by Virgin Blue’s limousine partner. If you require a limousine beyond the range of the complimentary service you can pay our limousine partner for the additional distance; the limousine partner will inform you of the additional cost when you book your transfers.

View Terms and Conditions

and:

Velocity Gold Membership

Book two return (or 4 one way) Business Class flights on our new A330 service, and enjoy a complimentary upgrade to Gold membership for 12 months*

Gold Velocity Membership Benefits

Complimentary annual membership to Virgin Blue’s The Lounge
Access to other international lounges with Velocity Program Partners
Priority Check-in at selected domestic airports
Earn rewards faster with 7 Velocity Points per dollar spent
Complimentary baggage allowance

Eligible booking period

Book on or between 4 April 2011 and 15 July 2011

Eligible travel period

Travel on or before 15 July 2011

 

[Virgin Australia]

I half agree with what your saying, however the way Virgin are announcing this whole package I find frustrating. Yesterday announced they have something BIG on Monday, then they come out with one little thing, they are really trying to build up the type.
Hopefully the rest will all be comming in one big package soon. But next time I see them post on their facebook the night before there is a big announcement comming shortly, I'm not going to be holding my breath.

Liam we never said anything about 'BIG' - the post you are referring to simply stated - "Looking forward to sharing more news with you all tomorrow!".
It was actually me who posted that - i was at home working (yes, on a Sunday night!) and was feeling excited about the prospect of our Facebook & AFF friends finally being able to book the A330 product!

Just launch your product in FULL and get on with it, DJ seem to be fixated with the Facebook and Twitter crowds... Yet the majority of comments on each and every DJ Facebook is hilarious. All they want is specials and cheaper flights....
I am sure the "corporate market" is not enticed by a Facebook announcment, nor the new name, nor the free limo for a few months, nor the Gold status, they are gimmicks which belong to the low-end leisure segment.

Fixated on facebook? Well we just clicked over 40,000 fans - so it is a large audience in which to converse with - and yes there would be a large part that are after cheap flights!

The strategy of releasing information as it is ready and live, is just that a strategy of information - would you really prefer us to open Sydney's kerbside entrance with no lead up of discussion? We all know that here is a hotbed of discussion on all things aviation!
Hopefully as we come closer to the final announcement (and that will not be the actual final announcement either!) you'll be on board with everything that it is that we are trying to do - and rest assured the input and opinions of this website and its members have been invaluable!

 

[Major]

Looking at a BNE or OOL to PER trip in September and was pleased to see the options available and the link to the A330 via SYD easily seen. Will prob take the SYD option just to try the J product.

 

[Keith009]

DJ might not be able to please everybody, but in the face of continual cut backs at QF, it's refreshing that DJ is actually making an effort to positively enhance their product. I remain V excited about the forthcoming changes at DJ, and look forward to what they lay out in the next couple of months!

Perhaps the once-unthinkable might happen and this QF loyalist might be tempted to try something different. For years I've prayed for the return of a 2nd full service (or at least, more upmarket) Aussie carrier and it's finally happening.

 

[kpc]

...and, as an introductory offer for Business Class guests, we will provide complimentary limousine* transfers to and from
Sydney Airport for the all inclusive price of $1399.00* one way booked on the internet between Sydney and Perth.
....Business Class fares commence from $1399.00* one way booked on the internet.

IMHO, no one in their right mind would pay either $1399 or $1915 for a one way J class flight between Syd and Per if it was coming out of their own pocket:shock:. Obviously a lot of corporate / business flyers between these 2 cities, or very affluent pax. I have flown J between Syd and Per on QF on the work account, and even then, I didn't feel it was worth the cost!

View attachment 1968

2x3x2 except for the first row!

Cheers

Disappointing...I would be pretty upset if I got the middle J seat!

Edited to add: I do welcome more competition for the Red Roo!!

 

[anat0l]

IMHO, no one in their right mind would pay either $1399 or $1915 for a one way J class flight between Syd and Per if it was coming out of their own pocket:shock:.

Don't laugh - there are a few on this board who will very happily pay the premium (out of their own pockets) just to avoid having to fly in Economy!

 

[markis10]

IMHO, no one in their right mind would pay either $1399 or $1915 for a one way J class flight between Syd and Per if it was coming out of their own pocket:shock:. Obviously a lot of corporate / business flyers between these 2 cities, or very affluent pax. I have flown J between Syd and Per on QF on the work account, and even then, I didn't feel it was worth the cost!

Remember the recent thread about DJs rogue aircraft from someone who did exactly that, paid for PE for himself and partner PER-BNE return , there are quite a few people who are able to travel point end self funded I suspect, I might look at it as a treat rather than an everyday thing:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../great-virgin-blue-premium-economy-26034.html

 

[stuartfaz]

Hey Virgin Blue, any chance of an upgrade kind of deal for Velocity points?

 

[kpc]

Don't laugh - there are a few on this board who will very happily pay the premium (out of their own pockets) just to avoid having to fly in Economy!

Remember the recent thread about DJs rogue aircraft from someone who did exactly that, paid for PE for himself and partner PER-BNE return , there are quite a few people who are able to travel point end self funded I suspect, I might look at it as a treat rather than an everyday thing:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../great-virgin-blue-premium-economy-26034.html

OK, I'll put it another way; I personally don't see splashing out on a J fare beween Syd and Per as value for my hard earned dollar. I would rather spend the money saved by flying Y towards better accomodation and fancier restaurants at my destination:idea: After all it is only a 4 hour flight... OK, the last time I flew Syd-Per, it took more than 5 hours as there were strong headwinds!! (disclaimer: I was travelling J which did ease the pain a bit...but work funded the flight!)

 

[markis10]

Hey Virgin Blue, any chance of an upgrade kind of deal for Velocity points?

Crazy Dave has previously advised this is a WIP!