MEL-LAX back! No more SYD-AUH

[anat0l]

Not sure how such a comment makes sense? One would think the SYD market is significantly larger than PER?

Well, let's look at a few things.

First, they're only flying an A330 from PER, not a B777. Not as much to fill.

Second, if we consider that the bulk of the SYD/AUH is not really just to fly people to AUH but to onward destinations, then we need to think about all of the players doing the same thing from SYD, flying the market from Sydney to their hubs and onwards. That's a lot, compared to how many PER has, let alone that the largest and best aircraft are not often sent to PER, whereas they are to SYD.

 

[Daver6]

VA could end up using the PER int QP which could be an interesting 'friendship'. When I flew EY from PER last it was a bit odd handing over my VA card to gain access into the QP.

Would they not use the SQ lounge like they did when VA flew to DPS?

 

[mrmerc500]

The connections Intra WA seem reasonable, flights from Kalgoorlie, Broome, Port Hedland, & even Adelaide arrive 2000 - 2100 & have connections on the AUH schedule of less than 3 hours. Connections from BNE & SYD is about 1 hour, 45 mins with MEL being 2.5 hrs. Could be good options with J redemptions.

 

[mrmerc500]

Just looking at it, J redemption to AUH looks attractive, especially when comparing to LA with 24,000 less points required at 71,500 for still 11 hours in one of the best J class around.

 

[Zerosignal]

Just flew MEL-SYD-LAX in J will be so happy to be able to fly MEL-LAX next year instead of that additional step!

 

[Major]

737s for the transcon flights. Yuk! That makes row 3 on the 737s on a transcon flight a must!!

I'm not sure they will do that. I suspect they will reduce the number of transcon flights to free up an A330 rather than sub with a 737.

Surely there are PER flights from the 3 East Coast Capitals that are not that profitable. They can't be full all of the time

 

[serfty]

... and VA23 / VA24 are now up.

Some business class awards are available in August ...

 

[BriarFlyer]

... and VA23 / VA24 are now up.

Some business class awards are available in August ...

Just booked an award seat LAX-MEL in June. Yay.

 

[pauly7]

Definately looks like more and more 737's East to West and visa versa.

Ah bummer loath the 737 plague on C2C!
Happy to see Mel back (sorry Brissy and Sydney for stealing your planes!)
Strange they are back so quickly to Mel, BNE must be quite soft for them ATM?

 

[samas]

737s for the transcon flights. Yuk! That makes row 3 on the 737s on a transcon flight a must!!

Most of my transcon is economy and I would much rather be in row 3 of a 737 then any Y row on the A330...

 

[bullerdude]

Just booked an award seat LAX-MEL in June. Yay.

Likewise for August!!

 

[serfty]

Commercial policy on rebookings: (Thanks MarcB):

https://www.virginaustralia.com/cs/...ent/~edisp/commpol_bnelax_reduction160920.pdf

Basically anyone affected with BNE flights can be rebooked FOC via SYD/MEL.

Also, those booked to from MEL via BNE/SYD may be able to be rebooked on a direct flight FOC, although the policy is a bit unclear on this.

Guests based in Melbourne currently booked on VA & VA* flights to LAX via SYD or BNE, have the option to change their bookings and fly direct on the new MEL-LAX-MEL direct service if the below conditions are met:

Guests based in MEL travelling only to LAX currently booked via BNE or SYD can choose to rebook on the new MEL direct service FOC ...

 

[jakeseven7]

I'm not sure they will do that. I suspect they will reduce the number of transcon flights to free up an A330 rather than sub with a 737.

Surely there are PER flights from the 3 East Coast Capitals that are not that profitable. They can't be full all of the time

I agree - they are CONSTANTLY downgrading the A330 flights anyway, sometimes I suspect the A330's spend more time on the ground than in the air between Perth and the ESB...

They might as well just bite the bullet, cancel more A330 flights, put the sardine can 737s on 'officially' and put the A330 to work somewhere else.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

VA could end up using the PER int QP which could be an interesting 'friendship'. When I flew EY from PER last it was a bit odd handing over my VA card to gain access into the QP.

Not sure why they would do that. When they flew PER<->DPS and PER<->HKT they used the SQ lounge.

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

AUSBT is reporting that Virgin is cancelling Per-AUH three months before the first flight was even due to begin. What sort of mess are they in over there?

 

[Bagpuss]

AUSBT is reporting that Virgin is cancelling Per-AUH three months before the first flight was even due to begin. What sort of mess are they in over there?

Couldn't see it working in the first place as it would have been too much capacity. Etihad cant even fill their b787

 

[Blackswan]

Couldn't see it working in the first place as it would have been too much capacity. Etihad cant even fill their b787

Every time I've flown with EY between PER and AUH the flights have been very full.Every time I've flown with EY between PER and AUH the flights have been very full.

 

[clarmich]

Was looking forward to The Business in September for my wife and I to AUH. Will be asking for the A380 via Melbourne instead...

 

[VOZ102]

and then they wonder why their share price is at it's lowest level ever :shock:

 

[CPMaverick]

I flew AUH-PER last November and it was absolutely empty.