Now You're Flying Virgin Australia

[serfty]

OT Stuff moved:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....etting-random-explosives-test-when-29960.html

 

[notzac]

Figured that this didn't deserve a thread of its own, but v interesting nonetheless -- the Virgin Australia and Delta JV has been tentatively approved by the US DOT:

Delta Cleared to Team With Virgin Blue Group - WSJ.com

EDIT: If anyone wants to read the full ruling, it's available online here: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOT-OST-2009-0155-0055

 

[LiamR]

I see them and think "I'd rather swim." Each to their own!

Now Now..... They are still one of the safest airlines in my eyes.

I see them and think: "exactly how long can that 767 keep going"........then I turn back to my Singapore girl attendant as she refreshes my drink...........again

I think that too.... I'm not trying to defent them, but they had planned for most 767 and 747 to be long gone by now. If only Boeing and Airbus could deliver new aircraft on time. (Ahmm 787?)

 

[ff-jr]

Now Now..... They are still one of the safest airlines in my eyes.

Oh, I wasn't even addressing their safety issues.

I've had two flights with them and experienced some incredibly maligned customer service on both. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Suffice to say, I'll never step foot on one of their aircraft again.

 

[pshepvic]

Oh, I wasn't even addressing their safety issues.

I've had two flights with them and experienced some incredibly maligned customer service on both. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Suffice to say, I'll never step foot on one of their aircraft again.

It's all just a matter of opinion and individual experiences. I've had numerous international flights with QF (a lot more than 2) in Y, Y+ and J, and have experienced exceptional service in all three. Even down to FA's recognising me three months later and saying "weren't you in that same seat a few months back?" (for the record, it was different rows, but both were exits, so still a pretty good memory). I've also had FA's bring us wines from First whilst sitting in PE, I've had them bring me J amenities kits whilst sitting in Y, and overall, friendly and efficient service.

I've had others tell me of similar experiences, and have also heard of woeful flights with Emirates, Singapore, Cathay, United (I guess to be expected) and V Australia.

To balance things, yes I've had some flights where the service may not have been exceptional, but certainly not something I could complain about. I guess there are always (with any airline) going to be the staff that go the extra mile, and those that only do what they are required to.

So whilst you as an individual may not step back on a QF flight, there are thousands of people who will, and not just because of safety, but because of positive experiences. Speaking of safety, you've also got to consider that when things do go wrong, you want a crew who can handle it, and with their experience that's something I believe QF do better than most.

 

[UP4014]

Oh, I wasn't even addressing their safety issues.

I've had two flights with them and experienced some incredibly maligned customer service on both. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Suffice to say, I'll never step foot on one of their aircraft again.

Fly QF most of the time, never had a problem and have flown them more than twice.

 

[ff-jr]

You're right, of course - it's all a matter of personal perspective, and I'd never say that it's wrong or stupid or what have you for anyone else to choose to fly Qantas, or even favour them (I hope it didn't come across that way).

That said, my own experiences with them are what they are and my image of them won't be changed.

Further explanation, if you're interested... On one flight, as a 10 year old, I was left to sit in a pool of someone else's vomit and then palmed off to my parents when the flight arrived at BNE (this, after they went to great lengths to help clean up the guy who caused the mess). On the other I was falsely accused of having fake ID when I requested a drink and was curtly told that security would be waiting for me at the terminal if I "kept pressing the issue" (i.e. politely asking her to at least look at the ID, which she didn't).

Like I said - I'd honestly rather swim (or fly RyanAir ).

Sorry for steering the topic off course!

 

[kamchatsky]

Figured that this didn't deserve a thread of its own, but v interesting nonetheless -- the Virgin Australia and Delta JV has been tentatively approved by the US DOT:

Delta Cleared to Team With Virgin Blue Group - WSJ.com

EDIT: If anyone wants to read the full ruling, it's available online here: Regulations.gov

Great to see VA got approval with alliance with DL! I wonder what routes will be code-shared.

It will be interesting to see what airlines they will go with on Asia front but it looks like *A is off the radar at the moment:

We'll be in Asia by the end of the year, and I mean all of Asia: Virgin Australia boss - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[stuartfaz]

Further explanation, if you're interested... On one flight, as a 10 year old, I was left to sit in a pool of someone else's vomit and then palmed off to my parents when the flight arrived at BNE (this, after they went to great lengths to help clean up the guy who caused the mess). On the other I was falsely accused of having fake ID when I requested a drink and was curtly told that security would be waiting for me at the terminal if I "kept pressing the issue" (i.e. politely asking her to at least look at the ID, which she didn't).

Well...you were 10...

 

[JB007]

Hopefully the approval also means access to Delta Skyclubs for non Gold Lounge members

 

[Keith009]

It will be interesting to see what airlines they will go with on Asia front but it looks like *A is off the radar at the moment:

We'll be in Asia by the end of the year, and I mean all of Asia: Virgin Australia boss - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

MH maybe? They have a massive reach throughout Asia and beyond, and MH flights already earn Velocity points and SCs. KUL isn't exactly a massive financial hub though. I keep hoping they hub in SIN (work) or HKG (fab city).

 

[777]

Asia and alliances

Good news about the DL deal and it sounds like the plan for VA is to develop multiple Asian partners and not to go with just one or to join *A.

Initially i was skeptical about the benefits of multiple bilateral agreements as opposed to joining an alliance but i'm increasingly coming around to the argument on this.

I think VA is positioning itself to be the Alaska Airlines of Australia - basically someone who codeshares, partners, and gets reciprocal benefits from as wide a range of partners as possible. Alaska do pretty well out of that.

If VA can establish that kind of deal with a wide range of inbound airlines to Australia (and outbound airlines from Australia) then they are likely to be in a very profitable position and one that gives as many, if not more, benefits compared to joining an alliance. VA have a lot to offer any airline that flies in to Australia (domestic network/ pacific network/ lounge network 1.5mish FF'ers) in exchange if they play it right.

For this to be of most benefits to customers though it needs to have full reciprocity of benefits and not just codesharing - access to lounges, upgrades, preferential seating, etc and not just a bunch of destinations with a VA code or where you can earn points and SCs.

As it stands within the next few months my VA Gold status will be good on NZ, EY, DL, and VS and by the end of the year perhaps a few more. Seems like a pretty good start compared to where we were a year or so ago.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Re: Asia and alliances

Good news about the DL deal and it sounds like the plan for VA is to develop multiple Asian partners and not to go with just one or to join *A.

Initially i was skeptical about the benefits of multiple bilateral agreements as opposed to joining an alliance but i'm increasingly coming around to the argument on this.

+1
I too am starting to warm to this, but who would be the European partner, beside Etihad shuffling you from the Middle East to major European cities? (LH?)
If VA forms decent alliances (in Asia and Europe) and QF keep 'enhancing' their program, the grass will soon be greener on the other side......

 

[browski]

Oh, I wasn't even addressing their safety issues.

I've had two flights with them and experienced some incredibly maligned customer service on both. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Suffice to say, I'll never step foot on one of their aircraft again.

YouTube - Bush "Fool Me Once..."

............Ah, the memories.

 

[Keith009]

Re: Asia and alliances

+1
I too am starting to warm to this, but who would be the European partner, beside Etihad shuffling you from the Middle East to major European cities? (LH?)

I think EY is their 'European' partner. Using AUH as a hub provides plenty more one stop options to destinations in Europe than say FRA, CDG or LHR which would require another transit at the European hub in addition to the tech stop along the way (as currently there's no way to fly Oz-Europe non stop). No points and SCs for intra Europe though.

 

[The Rok]

Re: Asia and alliances

as currently there's no way to fly Oz-Europe non stop). No points and SCs for intra Europe though.

Surely that is not far off? With the Dreamliners coming onboard in the next few years PER-LHR must be on the cards? Or PER-DUB (Easier airport to transit through)

 

[LiamR]

Sitting in BNE now...

I saw next to a Virgin FA on the airtrain up, she noticed the Gold Velocity tag on my bad, and we started to chat about the changes to the new Virgin. She had worked for the company since the start and the days of the tin shed at SYD.

I brought up IFE. She says Virgin have told staff what the new IFE is... Either I was being had, or they do actually know. I think its going to be a real strange idea, something that doesn't fit into either the iPad/Digeplayer or seat back IFE category.

For starters when I asked if its an iPad. I got a straight out no. When I asked if it was a portable system, she said. Well you see, I don't know how to answer that. Your looking at it the wrong way.

So, in true Virgin style, it sounds like, its going to be some completely new idea, one we would have never thought of, some completely new category. In my mind that raises more questions than it answers.

Disclaimer...... Don't take this as gospel, more of as a rumor. I took it at face value from the nice little Virgin lady on the train...

Only time will tell.....

On a seperate note... After flying VH-YFC, Virgin's new 737 with BSI last week. Its going to be so hard getting on this QF 767....

 

[777]

I brought up IFE. She says Virgin have told staff what the new IFE is... Either I was being had, or they do actually know. I think its going to be a real strange idea, something that doesn't fit into either the iPad/Digeplayer or seat back IFE category.

For starters when I asked if its an iPad. I got a straight out no. When I asked if it was a portable system, she said. Well you see, I don't know how to answer that. Your looking at it the wrong way.

So, in true Virgin style, it sounds like, its going to be some completely new idea, one we would have never thought of, some completely new category. In my mind that raises more questions than it answers.

Perhaps a server based wifi model? They store a stack of movies, TV shows, magazines etc on a big server on each plane - maybe even stream some live stuff to the plane. You bring your own screen (laptop/ Ipad/ mobile) and you can listen to or watch whatever they've cached OR access the internet using the same wifi connection. If you don't have a screen they can rent you one. If they go with this type of model they'll need a lot of powerpoints.

[OR they could be going the VX seatback combined entertainment/ ordering system with a mix of free and PPV content. Still wouldn't rule that out - particularly with ancillary revenue possibilities]

 

[browski]

Re: Asia and alliances

I think EY is their 'European' partner. Using AUH as a hub provides plenty more one stop options to destinations in Europe than say FRA, CDG or LHR which would require another transit at the European hub in addition to the tech stop along the way (as currently there's no way to fly Oz-Europe non stop). No points and SCs for intra Europe though.

Well no intra Europe flights, but.....
if you don't mind the $50 taxi fare from AUH to DXB, you can also hop on to the:

• Virgin Atlantic flight to London
• Malaysian Airlines Flights to Beirut and Karachi (tourist city d'jour)
• Delta to Atlanta.

 

[kamchatsky]

MH maybe? They have a massive reach throughout Asia and beyond, and MH flights already earn Velocity points and SCs. KUL isn't exactly a massive financial hub though. I keep hoping they hub in SIN (work) or HKG (fab city).

My guess would be:

NH (VA to fly into Haneda)
MH (wish it would be SQ though)
KE or OZ
CA or MU

Anyway this is just a guess ......