Qantas BSI vs Virgin BSI

[dfcatch]

Given that QF don't have their entire 738 fleet equipped with AVOD how does your average traveller know if their plane will have it in advance?

Yes, IFE would be a factor in the decision process (though the shorter the flight, the lower the weighting I would imagine) but only if it's predictable. Right now the only domestic fleet type on QF that have guaranteed AVOD IFE is the A330-200 and the 744 that does the daily SYD-PER.

If I was deciding between QF and DJ and everything else being equal I wouldn't pick QF on the basis of my 738 maybe having AVOD IFE for a 90 minute flight.

That's correct...except that ALL QF services have IFE (some seatback, some communal), that's not the case with VA.

Plus - for those who have travelled on the new QF 738s, it's kinda surprising when you step onto a brand new VA 738 and find nada.

Airlines such as AC (and NZ to a degree) that have invested in seatback IFE as a fleet-wide "new interior" program have been able to massively leverage the marketing.

AC is in a similar domestic sphere in Canada as QF is here in Australia (AC has Westjet as competition, QF has VA). But AC competes quites aggresively for transborder flights with all the major US airlines, not to mention its long-haul routes.

As you suggest - in AC's case - predictable IFE across its services has given it a significant strategic competitive advantage.


Only time will tell if VA's "wireless strategy" pays off in the long run....... At the moment - I question it.

 

[markis10]

That's correct...except that ALL QF services have IFE (some seatback, some communal), that's not the case with VA...

The 717s and Fokker 100s as well as the Dash 8s don't have anything, except for the best crews in the fleet

 

[Justchecking]

That's correct...except that ALL QF services have IFE (some seatback, some communal), that's not the case with VA.

Only time will tell if VA's "wireless strategy" pays off in the long run.......

Oh you mean the 'reruns of two and half men' much maligned on the QF threads as being useless and not worth watching? Yep I'm sure people are buying tickets on QF based on that.

I do agree with your last statement though, time will tell. I think VA are taking a calculated risk with this by trying someing new but I dont necessarily think its a big mistake. I think it would be so if we were talking about longhaul routes but 90% of their domestic network are flights under 2hrs. I suspect AC have a higher percentage of longer flight times.

Like you, I'm interested to see if Australia is a nation of the TV addicted who cannot fathom a few hours of their life without a video screen in front of them. I need to know if I should emmigrate to a country where people have hobbies and interests....

 

[lovestotravel]

October 2011 passenger numbers for domestic were up 7.4% over October 2010, so they are doing something right... Or Qantas is just frustrating enough people for them to fly with Virgin

 

[simongr]

I don't think that IFE will be a tipping point but it is part of the whole decision making process for some people. I think getting on a flight and finding nothing will tip some people over to not choose that airline again rather than making that choice in the first place.

Personally I would prefer better food options than IFE - I did like it on my AKL-SYD flight - gate to gate was good but again the catering and earning are more important to me.

 

[dfcatch]

The 717s and Fokker 100s as well as the Dash 8s don't have anything, except for the best crews in the fleet

You know what I meant Markis !!

And yes - Simon is right.

It's about the look and feel - and if VA want to lose the JQ comparison and instead be seen on par with QF, then for a lot of people IFE (even if it is two and a half men reruns) is part of the picture. As is meal service etc.

People won't pay a premium to fly on "basic" or "dated" cabins when they have an alternative. The individual issues may not change their purchase choice - but the overall image they form of the airline most certainly will.

The topic is comparing QF new interior vs DJ new interior - and until DJ introduce their full IFE offering - i'd say the new QF product wins hands down.

 

[mannej]

October 2011 passenger numbers for domestic were up 7.4% over October 2010, so they are doing something right... Or Qantas is just frustrating enough people for them to fly with Virgin

You would imagine that the Industrial action would have some affect on those figures.

 

[mannej]

The 717s and Fokker 100s as well as the Dash 8s don't have anything, except for the best crews in the fleet

Shh- They are Qantaslink Isn't that right DF?

 

[dfcatch]

Shh- They are Qantaslink Isn't that right DF?

I'm not gonna bag Qantaslink - great crews and service.

But yes - not a comparison with mainline fleet

 

[lovestotravel]

You would imagine that the Industrial action would have some affect on those figures.

Ah yes, did forget about that but that started on 29th October...

So 3 days of inflated passengers numbers...

November numbers will be interesting

 

[mannej]

Ah yes, did forget about that but that started on 29th October...

So 3 days of inflated passengers numbers...

November numbers will be interesting

No it didn't, the campaign by the unions was well in swing by then. The uncertainty (people in here commented on it to) led them to fly DJ instead of their normal airline

 

[lovestotravel]

No it didn't, the campaign by the unions was well in swing by then. The uncertainty (people in here commented on it to) led them to fly DJ instead of their normal airline

I was talking about the total shutdown...

 

[mannej]

I was talking about the total shutdown...

The shutdown was only part of the action.

 

[lovestotravel]

True, I forgot about all the delays and that before the shut-down

Let's see what November and December figures show I guess :mrgreen:

 

[simongr]

Nov and Dec are likely to be impacted by after effects of the action as well - in fact the past 6 months of action (by QF and Unions) and action (by VA/DJ) have changed the market with more people willing and actually flying on DJ/VA.

 

[lovestotravel]

Yes they will be inflated as well due to the industrial action, but it should give a better idea of real numbers..

I guess Jan/Feb/March figures will be even more accurate as people try Virgin and work out if they want to stick with them

Of note, Virgin ordered 1 x B737 last week from Boeing....

 

[jakeseven7]

You know what I meant Markis !!

Of course he does, but as the Virgin moderator on here he feels obliged to continually promote them

It's about the look and feel - and if VA want to lose the JQ comparison and instead be seen on par with QF, then for a lot of people IFE (even if it is two and a half men reruns) is part of the picture. As is meal service etc.

People won't pay a premium to fly on "basic" or "dated" cabins when they have an alternative. The individual issues may not change their purchase choice - but the overall image they form of the airline most certainly will.

The topic is comparing QF new interior vs DJ new interior - and until DJ introduce their full IFE offering - i'd say the new QF product wins hands down.

Totally agree.

VA's contract is coming up for renewal at my employer, its been ok at DJ/VA the last couple of years but service reliability has been an issue and I would personally still pick QF for service and comfort.

Interesting times ahead for our procurement team!

 

[bossreggie]

As someone who flies more than most, I'd like to give my opinion. I'm not a "fanboi" by any means and I have flown both carriers.

IFE is important to me. I am disappointed that VA do not have it in their new aircraft. As much as I enjoy my own IPad, it obviously can not provide gate to gate entertainment. I know a lot of the QF shows are re-runs (Dom especially) but as someone who does not watch much TV at home, usually I have not seen them. I also enjoy the news.

I've seen enough positive changes from VA that I will actually fly them from time to time now. I don't like the Lounge in MEL as it is before security. I do think the staff are very friendly. I will NOT accept a "rogue aircraft" and if it happens to me I will cancel my ticket, go to QF and fly them. I always have a fully flexible ticket so this will not be much of a concern.

At this stage, I think QF has the edge. As I stated above though..... VA are making positive changes which have certainly earned them some of my business.

Boss