One Airline, Virgin Airways?

[markis10]

I am surprised its not really been a subject that has been mentioned but in the spirit of One airline etc, I notice VS staff on each flight, apparently they are on exchange!

 

[Noob]

I am surprised its not really been a subject that has been mentioned but in the spirit of One airline etc, I notice VS staff on each flight, apparently they are on exchange!

Yes! Virgin America, Atlantic, and Australia staff have been doing exchange between each other. I think it is a smart idea to aline the three airlines to be like one global airline, but of course with separate ownerships etc - kind of like a franchise.

[video=youtube;GSzAxP81Izo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSzAxP81Izo[/video]

 

[drewbles]

Check this out

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

Hasn't it pretty much been confirmed that Velocity is not being re-branded? Big changes yes, but re-branding (this has been discussed elsewhere on here)? I see no point in it IMHO. VX have Elevate (not Flying Club, see http://www.virginamerica.com/frequent-flyer/elevate-program.html), VS have Flying Club. They would need to re-brand all of them. That's a huge chunk of cash right there, and unlikely to happen (makes sense to make all programs integrated with each other, but for many many reasons, it makes sense to keep their individual identities, especially with tax implications over multiple countries).

 

[markis10]

Hasn't it pretty much been confirmed that Velocity is not being re-branded? Big changes yes, but re-branding (this has been discussed elsewhere on here)? I see no point in it IMHO. VX have Elevate, VS have Flying Club. They would need to re-brand all of them. That's a huge chunk of cash right there, and unlikely to happen (makes sense to make all programs integrated with each other, but for many many reasons, it makes sense to keep their individual identities, especially with tax implications over multiple countries).

A new name as part of the relaunch was mentioned at the airline re-branding, and as I pointed out in the other thread where a member was being questioned over this, all the ASX statements re "changing the game" have ceased to refer to velocity by name since that date, only referring to a "revamped frequent flyer program", so it does look likely.

 

[drewbles]

A new name as part of the relaunch was mentioned at the airline re-branding, and as I pointed out in the other thread where a member was being questioned over this, all the ASX statements re "changing the game" have ceased to refer to velocity by name since that date, only referring to a "revamped frequent flyer program", so it does look likely.

A re-brand IMHO makes zero sense financially, given they've just re-done the logo, sending out new cards, and the website also.

It does seem strange they'd have an interim re-launch of the program only a few months prior to a name change (the re-branding will cost a mint, not to mention the current spruce-up of the logo/website/member cards/letterheads etc).

From my experience, a spruce-up is not a small nor cheap exercise, and not that much cheaper than a complete re-brand. Just seems strange (of course, i'm happy to be proven wrong by them re-launching and gifting me platinum )

Of course, the cryptic ASX announcement could mean you are 100% right too

 

[markis10]

Of course, the cryptic ASX announcement could mean you are 100% right too

It was not me who caught the annoucement in the middle of the airline rebrand hoopla:

Points to take our of the media launch event were:

• One Virgin Australia Brand All Virgin brands in Australia (Virgin Blue, V Australia and Pacific Blue) will be rolled into the Virgin Australia brand by the end of the year, with Virgin Blue brand already operating as Virgin Australia this only leaves V Australia and Pacific Blue
• Velocity Loyalty/Frequent Flyer Program to be revamped by the end of the year with a new name
• Business Class to be expanded to more aircraft and more routes
• Alignment of cabin product across all aircraft
• Sir Richard and John Borghetti believe their cabin product in both Business and Economy will beat Qantas in terms of price and quality

Virgin Australia is Officially Launched Qantas Watch Out - Business Travel News

 

[yogi]

Well, there goes the complete name change, at least for the forseeable future, though "Frequent Flyer" did get added. VFF - a touch of QFF there. So, is it VR or VFF now? Mostly rhetorical, I don't really care, as such...