No VA flight numbers on UA BNE-LAX?

[nedl]

I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but I can't seem to find any of the new direct BNE-LAX flights (operated by UA) with VA flight numbers, at least not in late March 2024.

e.g. There's a direct flight UA284 operating on March 26:



But this isn't showing up on the VA website (it's only showing options with connections):



Does anyone have any idea what's happening? Shouldn't these flights have VA flight numbers (and therefore be showing up on virginaustralia.com)?

 

[AgentDCooper]

Agreed. I can only see the option when choosing Points as payment.

 

[henrus]

Does anyone have any idea what's happening? Shouldn't these flights have VA flight numbers (and therefore be showing up on virginaustralia.com)?

At this stage there are no VA codeshare on the BNE-LAX route. It's unclear if they'll ever get them either.

Agreed. I can only see the option when choosing Points as payment.

That's the award seats you're seeing. Obviously pending award space these are book able on any United flight so for example LHR-EWR a route VA would never codeshare on.

 

[nedl]

At this stage there are no VA codeshare on the BNE-LAX route. It's unclear if they'll ever get them either.

Oh wow, have they given a reason why it's being treated so differently to the BNE-SFO route?

 

[Bagpuss]

Oh wow, have they given a reason why it's being treated so differently to the BNE-SFO route?

Doing a search on the VA website from PER to SFO will route via BNE / SYD / MEL onto the direct UA service.

 

[HS-TQE]

The BNE-LAX is also a seasonal route that ends at the end of March.

Most likely a 'trial' by UA themselves with their own money (first time since 1994) since the BNE-LAX route on UA is not eligible for ongoing Queensland taxpayers subsidies under the AAIF due to the existing QF service on this route.

 

[HS-TQE]

As per UA's CCO Andrew Nocella, BNE-LAX has been confirmed as a seasonal service with the season ending on March 29. It's pretty much a 'trial' season to 'see how we go' as this service is not subsidised by the BAC and Queensland Government's AAIF. This would be the first time since 1994 that UA had invested directly into the Queensland Capital (UA previously operated the CNS-GUM service inherited from CO).

Getting back on topic, GDS still doesn't list any VA codeshare on this specific route.

 

[nedl]

Thanks for the additional info, this makes a lot more sense now!

 

[HS-TQE]

Slight update (and probably best thread for this). There have been reports that UA will be ending the LAX-BNE seasonal early. Flights have been been pulled / zero'd in the GDS from mid February. Suggesting bookings haven't been what they've been expecting.

I wonder if the BNE-SFO flights will be reverting back to the 788s from the start of the NS season (end of March to October 2024).

 

[justinbrett]

Slight update (and probably best thread for this). There have been reports that UA will be ending the LAX-BNE seasonal early. Flights have been been pulled / zero'd in the GDS from mid February. Suggesting bookings haven't been what they've been expecting.

I wonder if the BNE-SFO flights will be reverting back to the 788s from the start of the NS season (end of March to October 2024).

They obviously didn't know about the post Christmas slump. I could have told them that for free.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Slight update (and probably best thread for this). There have been reports that UA will be ending the LAX-BNE seasonal early. Flights have been been pulled / zero'd in the GDS from mid February. Suggesting bookings haven't been what they've been expecting.

I wonder if the BNE-SFO flights will be reverting back to the 788s from the start of the NS season (end of March to October 2024).

That'd sad to hear, especially considering QF's poor product and timing on BNE-LAX.

 

[AIRwin]

Getting back on topic, GDS still doesn't list any VA codeshare on this specific route.

Virgin Australia Enhances United US Codeshare Network in 1Q24 — AeroRoutes

Published at 0200GMT 15JAN24 Virgin Australia from 16JAN24 further expands codeshare partnership with United Airlines, covering additional 21 routes, including the latter's Los Angeles – Brisbane route. Virgin Australia operated by United Houston – Baltimore/Washington Houston – Boise Houston –

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[henrus]

A little puzzling they've included BNE-LAX if they are indeed pulling it?

 

[HS-TQE]

Virgin Australia Enhances United US Codeshare Network in 1Q24 — AeroRoutes

Published at 0200GMT 15JAN24 Virgin Australia from 16JAN24 further expands codeshare partnership with United Airlines, covering additional 21 routes, including the latter's Los Angeles – Brisbane route. Virgin Australia operated by United Houston – Baltimore/Washington Houston – Boise Houston –

www.aeroroutes.com

Agreed that it's a little puzzling considering UA is ending the seasonal BNE-LAX early in less than 4 weeks time.

BNE-LAX Forward schedules for Dec 24 and January 25 (based on this season/year's trimmed back schedule) has been listed in the GDS for NW24/25 but not on sale yet.

One would hope it's not a placeholder for the "Disneyland" (School Holiday) summer crowd's sake, which I'm assuming BNE-LAX isn't low yielding, but not high yielding either (hence the cutbacks).