New Darwin Routes, a Darwin Lounge and SQ Frequent Flyer recognition

[ted123]

Great news!

We have today announced with our alliance partner Singapore Airlines, the first two milestones of our recently approved alliance: new international and domestic routes to Darwin and the launch of frequent flyer programme co-operation.

As part of a joint plan to increase services to northern Australia, Singapore Airlines’ regional full service airline, SilkAir will begin a four-times-weekly service between Singapore and Darwin from 26 March 2012, and Virgin Australia will complement these services with a daily service between Sydney and Darwin from 2 April 2012.

We have also confirmed that from 20 December this year, we will commence reciprocal frequent flyer recognition, enabling KrisFlyer members to earn and redeem frequent flyer points on Virgin Australia’s network and Velocity members will be able to earn and redeem frequent flyer points on Singapore Airlines operated flights. Reciprocal lounge access is also available for eligible customers.

Singapore Airlines Executive Vice President Commercial and SilkAir Chairman, Mr Mak Swee Wah, said: “We are delighted to be adding Darwin to our network and providing more travel options for our customers as a result of our alliance with Virgin Australia. Our partnership enables us to better service this important market, particularly with the introduction of a strong business class product and extensive international connections.

“The launch of reciprocal frequent flyer programme ties will also be particularly exciting news for our loyal customers. Our partnership with Virgin Australia will be delivering tangible benefits to customers, with more choice for domestic and international travel combined with seamless service.”

Virgin Australia Group Executive of Alliances, Network & Yield Management, Ms Merren McArthur said: “The alliance with Singapore Airlines enables us to open up important new routes in Australia and Asia and we have moved quickly to identify and realise this opportunity with our new partner”.

“Darwin is the gateway to the Northern Territory’s popular tourist destinations and is an increasingly important commercial hub. Together with Singapore Airlines we will be able to offer visitors from Singapore, Asia and Europe the opportunity to visit the Northern Territory and then travel onto Sydney and the East Coast of Australia. Our services will also be attractive to business travelers who now have the option of a quality business class service from Sydney to Darwin and on to Singapore and beyond.”

“From next week, Virgin Australia customers will be able to enjoy the first benefits of the alliance, with the ability to earn and burn frequent flyer points and status credits on Singapore Airlines’ network of destinations and access over 14 lounges around the world. We look forward to bringing our customers further exciting benefits as the alliance develops,”, Ms McArthur said.

We can also announce that we will open a lounge at Darwin Airport for our eligible Virgin Australia guests as well as those of its alliance partners.

We expect to commence codesharing on each other's services from early 2012.

This is absolutely awesome news. Congrats VA..

I have a J flight with SQ on the 17th December 2011 this sat, does this mean that I just miss out on the cuttover date 20th December 2011 to be able to earn points and status credits with VA?

ted

 

[docjames]

Congrats VA, great news.

Wonder why Silk Air would start 26/3 and VA only 2/4?

 

[airtraveladdict]

This is absolutely awesome news. Congrats VA..

I have a J flight with SQ on the 17th December 2011 this sat, does this mean that I just miss out on the cuttover date 20th December 2011 to be able to earn points and status credits with VA?

ted

unfortunately ted i think you might miss out. the T&C states that "^^^ Points earn on Singapore Airlines available from 20 December 2011."

 

[dajop]

Putting the MI SIN-DRW announcement together with the SQ recognition announcement serves to confuse things, but it seems that, consistent with other SQ partnerships, when flying MI (Silk Air), benefits (including points accrual and lounge access for eligible passengers) will still only be available to Krisflyer members when flying MI (Silk Air). Or will special arrangements be in place for the SIN-DRW service?

 

[ted123]

unfortunately ted i think you might miss out. the T&C states that "^^^ Points earn on Singapore Airlines available from 20 December 2011."

It seems that way according to those dam T&C's...As xmas is only around the corner. might prey for a miracle...finger, toes & everything crossed.

ted

 

[Virgin Australia]

Will we earn points on silk air flights? because it mentions Silk air will be flying between Darwin - Singapore.

At this stage, guests won't earn when travelling on SilkAir.

This is absolutely awesome news. Congrats VA..

I have a J flight with SQ on the 17th December 2011 this sat, does this mean that I just miss out on the cuttover date 20th December 2011 to be able to earn points and status credits with VA?

ted

Sorry Ted, you will just miss out.

Putting the MI SIN-DRW announcement together with the SQ recognition announcement serves to confuse things, but it seems that, consistent with other SQ partnerships, when flying MI (Silk Air), benefits (including points accrual and lounge access for eligible passengers) will still only be available to Krisflyer members when flying MI (Silk Air). Or will special arrangements be in place for the SIN-DRW service?

As said above, Velocity members won't earn when flying SilkAir.

 

[n17]

Are we going to be able to get ticketed through to London via Dwn/Sing, or will this upset the Etihad agreement.

 

[airtraveladdict]

Are we going to be able to get ticketed through to London via Dwn/Sing, or will this upset the Etihad agreement.

"Velocity members will be able to earn and redeem frequent flyer points on Singapore Airlines operated flights"


This relationship is theoretically meant to open the doors to Asia, and provide Perth and Darwin travellers with more options to Europe/UK because Etihad does not service those sectors, however my interpretation of that sentence above, is that there is nothing stopping Velocity members from booking SQ flights to Europe, and entering their velocity numbers and earning points from those flights.

 

[Noob]

"Velocity members will be able to earn and redeem frequent flyer points on Singapore Airlines operated flights"


This relationship is theoretically meant to open the doors to Asia, and provide Perth and Darwin travellers with more options to Europe/UK because Etihad does not service those sectors, however my interpretation of that sentence above, is that there is nothing stopping Velocity members from booking SQ flights to Europe, and entering their velocity numbers and earning points from those flights.

And Noob in Adelaide!

 

[oz_mark]

"Velocity members will be able to earn and redeem frequent flyer points on Singapore Airlines operated flights"


This relationship is theoretically meant to open the doors to Asia, and provide Perth and Darwin travellers with more options to Europe/UK because Etihad does not service those sectors, however my interpretation of that sentence above, is that there is nothing stopping Velocity members from booking SQ flights to Europe, and entering their velocity numbers and earning points from those flights.

There are a number of various aspects to their agreement. One in that they will begin codesharing on each others services. My understanding is that it is the codeshares that will be limited to Asia, and UK for Perth. The frequent flyer earn/burn is separate to this, and does not appear subject to the limitations of the codeshare agreements.

 

[gwilli1]

This is great news on a direct Sydney>Darwin service & IMHO well overdue . In saying that if VA are going to complement the Silk Air service , i don't think the schedule is going to be anything to get excited about . Silk Air have announced an arrival into Darwin @ 1.45am & departure of 2.30am . Therefore I could envisage a VA Sydney>Darwin schedule being something along he lines of the following

Dept Syd 21.30
Arrive Darwin 00.30

Dept Darwin 03.30
Arrive Syd 09.30

Anyone else have any thoughts ?

 

[The Rok]

Hallelujah for Perth. About time I can now nip home to Dublin with relative ease.

I did note just the other day though that I could book PER-DBX-DUB return on Emirates in J for $6,100 Drive Away No More To Pay

but

PER-SIN-LHR with SQ in J is more like $8,000. Go figure. Might now have to jump ship to Emirates just as the SQ partnership is up and running. BUMMER

 

[oz_mark]

This is great news on a direct Sydney>Darwin service & IMHO well overdue . In saying that if VA are going to complement the Silk Air service , i don't think the schedule is going to be anything to get excited about . Silk Air have announced an arrival into Darwin @ 1.45am & departure of 2.30am . Therefore I could envisage a VA Sydney>Darwin schedule being something along he lines of the following

Dept Syd 21.30
Arrive Darwin 00.30

Dept Darwin 03.30
Arrive Syd 09.30

Anyone else have any thoughts ?

Like most of the flights in Darwin, it's bound to be back of clock.

 

[Sequel]

At this stage, guests won't earn when travelling on SilkAir.


As said above, Velocity members won't earn when flying SilkAir.

Is there anyone else that thinks this somewhat defies logic, given DJ's enthusiasm around the DJ/SQ/DRW tie up and yet you can't earn points/SC's DRW - SIN, and I guess no lounge access either (ignoring ATA).

And how come DRW gets an international lounge before BNE? ;-)

Is DRW considered short haul Int?

Sent from my Nexus S using AustFreqFly

 

[dajop]

This relationship is theoretically meant to open the doors to Asia, and provide Perth and Darwin travellers with more options to Europe/UK because Etihad does not service those sectors, however my interpretation of that sentence above, is that there is nothing stopping Velocity members from booking SQ flights to Europe, and entering their velocity numbers and earning points from those flights.

True to a certain extent. Main thing is if travelling from Darwin, will only be able to earn velocity points from Singapore to end destination, not from DRW-SIN (unless routing on VA via PER, ADL, etc ..). The only other watchout, for those travelling in whY, is that many SQ economy fares do not earn any points full stop, something that is a trap for those used to QF earning on any commercially available fare.

 

[markis10]

Is there anyone else that thinks this somewhat defies logic, given DJ's enthusiasm around the DJ/SQ/DRW tie up and yet you can't earn points/SC's DRW - SIN, and I guess no lounge access either (ignoring ATA).

And how come DRW gets an international lounge before BNE? ;-)

Is DRW considered short haul Int?

Sent from my Nexus S using AustFreqFly

The lounge will be Domestic I imagine, otherwise the ROI is not there, and not that big a deal when going international at DRW to be lounging before the border.

 

[Noob]

The lounge will be Domestic I imagine, otherwise the ROI is not there, and not that big a deal when going international at DRW to be lounging before the border.

Because DRW is multiuser couldn't the lounge be both international and domestic like the Adelaide Qantas Club - it would make the lounge more valuable to VA.

 

[markis10]

Because DRW is multiuser couldn't the lounge be both international and domestic like the Adelaide Qantas Club - it would make the lounge more valuable to VA.

That's what I was trying to imply, it was not at long go the MEL SQ lounge was before the border, at a place like DRW it makes sense, pity they ripped the GW lounge down to expand the area after the border.

 

[oz_mark]

At this stage, guests won't earn when travelling on SilkAir.

I'll try this from another angle

Will Virgin be codesharing on Silkair flights (e.g. SIN-DRW), and if so, will those flights be eligible for Velocity points?

 

[bcworld]

I'm interested to see what sort of availability SQ will open up in J to Velocity.

As it stands J class redemptions on 77W and A380 aircraft are pretty much blocked to Star Alliance partners...with some exceptions and some signs of the policy loosening. Will Velocity also be stuck on A330s and 777s with the regional J product?