One Airline, Virgin Airways?

[Noob]

Would it be possible for all three Virgin airlines to come under one banner (same livery, logo, cabins, uniforms, same frequent flyer program, same lounges etc) but maintain separate ownerships as they are now? The only differentiating factor could be the flag being drawn at the front of the plane which would be either British, Australian or American. Each airline would maintain individual management who communicate actively between each other.

Why would this be beneficial?

• Product consistency
• Allow the airlines to have a stronger relationship and the ability to share fleets
• Build a better frequent flyer program that is uniform across all three airlines that make up Virgin Airways
• Produce a more visible alliance between the companies which would in turn build a stronger brand
• One truly global airline

 

[Jack Melon]

Hey Noob, i'm not going to go in any details, but the answer is no. They have "The Virgin Group Of Airlines" already, which is similar, but not in your point of view. So No.

 

[markis10]

Thats not how Virgin operates as a brand regardless of what business its in!

 

[Noob]

Hey Jack,
I mean more, would this be feasible in the future? From a brand/marketing prospective it would be very beneficial to all parties and would be more appearances then anything (paint, signs, logos, uniforms) no new aircraft.

 

[moa999]

Maybe but ownership is totally different and focus on different segments, Atlantic is full-servce, America a high-service LCC, and Australia somewhether in between.
Virgin Atlantic - Branson 50% and Singapore Air 50%
Virgin Blue / Australia - ASX listed - Branson 26%, Air NZ 15%
Virgin America - Branson 25%, Black Canyon Capital 75%


Now obviously Jetstar has greater co-ordintion despite also having varying ownership, so anything is possible
Jetstar Australia - Qantas 100%
Jetstar NZ - Qantas 100%
Jetstar Asia (Singapore) - Qantas 49%, some Singaporean guy 51%
Jetstar Pacific (Vietnam) - Qantas 30%, Vietnamese Govt 70%

As it is, most airlines have enough trouble getting product consistency within their own fleets, let alone across a disparate group

 

[ric_melb]

I think Virgin Australia have enough on their plate at present with all the rebranding and changes they are making.
This will keep them busy in my opinion till the end of 2012.
Given possible changes to Virgin entities overseas I think Virgin Australia is best served by a lose alliance, such as they have now, and without further integration.
And frankly they are better focussing on paying dividends to shareholders, and getting the share price up, before any grandiose world airline concepts.

 

[Noob]

This was more of a long term concept, say 2016+not something that would spring up over night I forgot to mention that....

 

[yogi]

Noob, are you channeling me here?

 

[Justchecking]

I wouldn't want to see this happen at all. I like the product and changes happening at virgin Australia and wouldn't want to see that disappear in an effort to globalize and same-ize those products. From what I've seen the Aussie version has a pretty good future and looks really fresh, leave it alone I say. I also am not a fan of global same-izing of products. I dont find it useful that I can eat at Macca's everywhere in the world.

 

[Noob]

Noob, are you channeling me here?

All I can say Yogi my man is that great minds think alike!

 

[Noob]

I'm not sure what this means but is it a coincidence or a sign of things yet to be revealed as is the growing trend? Along with the examples below they both now have the same fare type colour coding red/silver/purple. (http://www.ausbt.com.au/photos/view...565a53e1f69767f1341-virginatlanticprinted.png)

Also there has been some very suss answers from virgin regarding the font similarities

"Absolutely we feel a branding for Virgin Australia is a possess and does not closely resemble a Virgin Atlantic branding, a branding uses a Virgin trademark and a ‘Gotham’ font, that is an off-the shelf font, openly accessible to anyone." — Virgin Australia spokesperson (http://designagencies.com.au/2011/05/like-a-virgin/)

...which further poses questions about what is going on, if they are simply trying to become more alike why would they answer in such a way denying something that has clearly been done purposely?

Same fonts:



Very similar uniforms (red, with purple scarf):




Another point is Virgin's new cabin purple cabin divider which is near identical to Virgin America......I really think they are actively trying to bring the brands more tightly together in an effort to strengthen the brand as a whole. "An arrow by itself can be broken, but many arrows tied together can not" type of approach lol

 

[Robert K]

Gotham is the helvetica of this decade. Note the 't' in both Australia and Atlantic is not the stock 't' that comes with the font.

Since Atlantic was rebranded first, the Australian agency must have taken cues from the new Atlantic brand. the Atlantic rebranding is pretty sexy. Why fix it if it isn't broken!

As for the uniform, its the virgin red, and red is sexy. And is pretty much how virgin wants to be marketed. Can't imagine they considered any other colour

 

[Noob]

Found this, from late 2010:

"He (Richard Branson) announced that the Virgin Group is integrating its separate airlines into a "quality alliance." The coalition comprises Virgin Atlantic, Virgin America and the Virgin Blue Group, which includes subsidiary V Australia" (Time, 2010)

"In creating a fourth alliance, one differentiated by a passenger experience that is uniquely Virgin, Branson plans to transform the disparate Virgin airline brands into a seamless carrier that can compete with the big three." (Time, 2010)

""Only on Virgin can passengers fly around the world on one plane." Significantly, the company is linking its loyalty programs so that passengers can earn and redeem miles or points under any of Virgin's frequent-flyer programs. " (Time, 2010)

Read more: Virgin's Richard Branson Circles His Wagons - TIME

 

[yogi]

Found this, from late 2010:

"He (Richard Branson) announced that the Virgin Group is integrating its separate airlines into a "quality alliance." The coalition comprises Virgin Atlantic, Virgin America and the Virgin Blue Group, which includes subsidiary V Australia" (Time, 2010)

Nice. I have semi thought this would happen at some point but it still seems to be a medium - longer term thing. They are all VA now. So something like "A Class", "Virgin A", "Pick your A" but will likely be something with Virgin and some dreamy sky type sounding name / something about the passenger experience.

"Atmosphere by Virgin Airlines. Get Around".

Sounds very Richard Branson-esque. I won't start my Atmosphere thing again but am happy for the VA's to use it, with credit. and some sort of lifetime flying pass on said alliance.

 

[Noob]

Nice. I have semi thought this would happen at some point but it still seems to be a medium - longer term thing. They are all VA now. So something like "A Class", "Virgin A", "Pick your A" but will likely be something with Virgin and some dreamy sky type sounding name / something about the passenger experience.

"Atmosphere by Virgin Airlines. Get Around".

Sounds very Richard Branson-esque. I won't start my Atmosphere thing again but am happy for the VA's to use it, with credit. and some sort of lifetime flying pass on said alliance.

Check this out


As Virgin America/Atlantic have "Flying Club", I have my money on Virgin Australia rebranding Velocity as Flying Club also.

 

[yogi]

As Virgin America/Atlantic have "Flying Club", I have my money on Virgin Australia rebranding Velocity as Flying Club also.

The a's look like mountain peaks. Can you do me a Virgin Atmosphere? I think Flying Club was one of the first names I thought of some months ago, probably based on that - though I think it's 50/50 though whether they would go with this or not.

 

[Noob]

The a's look like mountain peaks. Can you do me a Virgin Atmosphere? I think Flying Club was one of the first names I thought of some months ago, probably based on that - though I think it's 50/50 though whether they would go with this or not.

Here you go :

 

[yogi]

Here you go :

View attachment 3508

Drool... . Soooooooooooooooooooo pretty. Thank you.

 

[DJ332]

Hey, did anyone actually read the 'Like a Virgin' article on the Design Agencies website (as provided in your link, Noob)? The article reads like something that's been translated from another language in Google Translator! Incredibly badly written! I couldn't make any sense of it, besides the fact that it was sensible to integrate four brands in one. Can anyone help decipher the rest of it?

Absurdities aside, the rebranding is excellent and despite initial hesitations I love the livery/logo now. No doubt we will see the Virgin America logo appear in the same Gotham font in the coming years. One airline, Virgin Airways? Well, we'd be looking at Virgin Airlines, but I'd say it's pretty unlikely at this stage. However, I could certainly see the value in improving and developing seamless travel across the three airlines to make a truly global alliance. The brand is so well known globally now that it would seem invaluable to make use of it. The three airlines are quite disparate at the moment, but there's no reason that can't change.

 

[Jack Melon]

I thought i would make my own and have fun .

Also notice that the logo's have red for virgin america, purple for virgin atlantic and silver for virgin australia. And what are virgin's main colours, and that are randomly spread out on headrests? Red purple and sliver. Very interesting, and it matches what you guys above have what been saying. Interesting! (P.S Noob, they have a new virgin logo now, but i do prefer the old one ). I also think they should start up "Virgin Asia" It matches with the other 3 "A's".