More DJ changes?

[codash1099]

This on Flightglobal

Australia's Virgin Blue looking at three class configuration

How far can you split a hair?

 

[ejb]

What next, "Package Economy" for those willing to travel as freight.

ejb

 

[drewbles]

Possible prelude to joining Scaryteam? There's been talk of V joining in with the tie-up with DL.

Bring it on I say. Anything to whip QF into giving something back to its elites!

 

[samh004]

What next, "Package Economy" for those willing to travel as freight.

You’re giving them ideas again

 

[garee]

This on Flightglobal

Australia's Virgin Blue looking at three class configuration

How far can you split a hair?

Why don't they go head to head with QF and have a true business class (proper business class seats and meals) and normal economy and leave it at that. They have the Blue Zone seats for those who want more room.

 

[docjames]

Why don't they go head to head with QF and have a true business class (proper business class seats and meals) and normal economy and leave it at that. They have the Blue Zone seats for those who want more room.

+1 to that.

Ditch Y+ (although with the flexible option, they could have say 3 rows at the front of ecoomy and convert them similar to BA and it's Euro business class seats depending on demand).

Instead of "business" class, add "FIRST" class (ie. domestic first). It would be essentially the same as QF J, but they'd get naming/bragging rights. I mean, it works in the LOTFAP for their flights - domestic F in the US is akin to domestic J on QF......

 

[JohnK]

Another class on 737s and Embraers? Get real....

 

[dajop]

Interesting. But not an entirely new idea, Air NZ did introduce space plus seats on the A320's a little while ago, for elites. Same seats I believe, but with 35" seat pitch instead of 31-33" pitch in the rest of the plane. This idea seems to be the more or less the same as that.

As usual, DJ gets met with with a certain degree of mockery and derision for an idea that may or may not come to fruition. I think sold as a separate class, it may not work that well, but does have merit for allocation to elites and those travelling on higher economy fares.

I think one failing of DJ at the moment is really to grab market share on transcontinental services, hasn't been a lot of change in frequencies over the last few years in that regard. This idea may help, but to wander OT a little, will they ever contemplate widebodies or J class for that market?

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Bring it on I say. Anything to whip QF into giving something back to its elites!

If you get your QF elite status by flying on Another Airline, then I don't really think QF wants to give you anything. Probably the exact opposite...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Instead of "business" class, add "FIRST" class (ie. domestic first). It would be essentially the same as QF J, but they'd get naming/bragging rights. I mean, it works in the LOTFAP for their flights - domestic F in the US is akin to domestic J on QF......

Although 'First Class' is unlikely to keep bean counters happy... this is the reason may US airlines have gone to their 'instant upgrade' fares - they get around having to explain a 'first class' ticket to their finance departments.

And try getting finance to undertand that 'first class' is actually only really business class... in the UK we weren't allowed to fly club europe on BA even if that fare was cheaper than economy on the same flight! (This often happened on flights to Paris and Brussels where economy was full so only the highest fares were left and the club cabins were lightly loaded and still had discounted fare buckets)

 

[clifford]

As usual, DJ gets met with with a certain degree of mockery and derision

That's because they can't decide whether to be fish or fowl (or neither).

They're basically a LCC who have tried to tart up a few things to attract higher fare pax, but still have a LCC mentality. As such, they will never be a real threat to QF (unless of course they really start discounting fares).

If I were a higher fare pax (which I am absolutely not), I wouldn't ever consider DJ.

 

[JohnK]

If you get your QF elite status by flying on Another Airline, then I don't really think QF wants to give you anything. Probably the exact opposite...

Totally irrelevant and no different to those earning AA status on different airlines.

QF almost provides the same benefits to all their Platinums. If you spend $50,000 to earn Platinum on QF and I spend $3,000 to earn Platinum on QF then we are the exactly the same status with QF. Maybe you will get 4D and I will 7D on domestic flights but who really cares. Off to do more status runs on CX in June so that I can sow up QF Platinum status until May 2012 a couple of weeks into my new membership year.

And you know what ? I couldn't care less and I do not even feel guilty especially when I eat $20-$30 worth of smoked salmon and drink another $30-$40 worth of alcohol in the QF lounge before flying on an SQ award....

 

[dajop]

If I were a higher fare pax (which I am absolutely not), I wouldn't ever consider DJ.

That's fine but many do. I used to use DJ routinely between MEL & CBR and they were as good (or better) than QF on that route. I don't any more as i was relocated outside Australia.

Even without flying them, I am sure many committed QF customers benefit from their presence in the market place.

The main thing holding DJ back is probably the lack of membership of an international alliance and also perhaps lack of lounges in some smaller ports (CNS, HBA, DRW) and maybe the ongoing perceptions around the immaturity of the cabin crew.

 

[DJ737]

and maybe the ongoing perceptions around the immaturity of the cabin crew.

It is only a peception, most DJ CC would throw a Russian weightlifter out of a 737 overwing if they had to.

It's a bit like the perception of Ryanair CC, they will will try to sell you anything fron a cup of tea to a Stansted Express ticket during the flight, but when things go pear shaped they are on top of the problem, and will do their best to save your backside.

Cheers
DJ737

 

[codash1099]

The main thing holding DJ back is probably the lack of membership of an international alliance and also perhaps lack of lounges in some smaller ports (CNS, HBA, DRW) and maybe the ongoing perceptions around the immaturity of the cabin crew.

Yet BG says he's against joining alliances, but that his successor will be making the decisions.

 

[pauly7]

It is only a peception, most DJ CC would throw a Russian weightlifter out of a 737 overwing if they had to.

Cheers
DJ737

Actually I think that has missed the point ... I think most people know/assume (even sub conciously) that to be a FA at any Australian airline you have to have completed a fair amount of safety/on the job training.

I think its more the stupid tired old jokes approach that was great when they launched - is what people still percieve DJ to be = cheap, cheerful discount carrier. As they have tried to move up market I have actually noticed a massive decline in this approach - must be a concious move to be more professional.

However people have long memories and although they may not have encountered it recently it will stick in their minds and it is a double edged sword, sure it may have been a bit funny but it also means they aren't really serious.

Anyway - if you check out the pilots forum where all the DJ pilots chatter and leak info - there is heaps of talk about them consolidating all the brands (finally) in the near future.

 

[munitalP]

If you get your QF elite status by flying on Another Airline, then I don't really think QF wants to give you anything. Probably the exact opposite...

You know, what a great idea - not only status, but also equivalent sectors flown , I do like that idea!

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Totally irrelevant and no different to those earning AA status on different airlines.

huh?

Why should QANTAS offer increased benefits to its "elites" (as previous poster has suggested) when those elites provide next-to-no profit to QANTAS? Someone has to fund those benefits...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's a bit like the perception of Ryanair CC... but when things go pear shaped they are on top of the problem, and will do their best to save your backside.

Cheers
DJ737

Do you mean save us safety wise?

I hope things have improved from the situation here in this 2004 report where, during an emergency evacuation, the female crew members needed to seek help from a male colleague to open the door because it was, simply, too heavy.

Article (which is based on a UK saferty authority report) is here:

Ryanair cabin crew struggles to open doors on burning plane - Times Online

Thankfully for us passengers many of the low cost airlines have now moved to larger A320s and 737-800s which have a minimum crew staffing of 4 (in high density). This at least gives one crew member per exit (it was not uncommon on low cost 737-200s and 737-300s to only have a crew of three, with one exit unattended).

But this increase in crew is, I suspect, purely due to regulations requiring the one crew per 50 pax and not purely because it is better to have one crew at each door (as is required on widebodies).

 

[JohnK]

Why should QANTAS offer increased benefits to its "elites" (as previous poster has suggested) when those elites provide next-to-no profit to QANTAS? Someone has to fund those benefits...

If QF dilutes benefits it will be for all not just those that get "elite" atatus cheaply. But anyway I do not see much changing in a great hurry. Especially with more competition in the market.

As I said earlier you can pay $50,000 per year for your Platinum status and I will pay $3,000 for my Platinum status and when we are flying we will get exatly the same benefits, same food, same seats. Pretty much the same service.