Qatar Airways to acquire 25% of Virgin Australia

[drron]

But Bunnings do put things off sale at times. We only buy our solar garden lights when on sale.

 

[PERLHR]

But Bunnings do put things off sale at times. We only buy our solar garden lights when on sale.

Don't they say "if you find it 10percent cheaper then we will refund" or something like that?

Wonder if Qantas would ever say that......,

 

[Warks]

But Bunnings do put things off sale at times. We only buy our solar garden lights when on sale.

Yeah but only "dump bin" type items. Normal items like nuts and bolts and plumbing/electrical materials never seem to be on sale. They might have a consignment of lawnmowers to move at a "special price" but they are often a limited item run so there's no real way to compare.

 

[justinbrett]

Don't they say "if you find it 10percent cheaper then we will refund" or something like that?

Wonder if Qantas would ever say that......,

Well they will match it.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/why-qantas/price-promise.html

 

[PERLHR]

Well they will match it.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/why-qantas/price-promise.html

I never knew this. I see (obvious) it needs to be the same day. I'm sure I have seen on Expedia cheaper flights on same schedules. I'm going to be checking that one out and see if it actually works ..if the airfare is cheaper for same cabin, and flights. ,

 

[ozstamps]

Jayney emailed today, saying Virgin is aiming on getting approved 25% Qatar ownership, AND adding this VERY interesting tidbit -

Subject to relevant regulatory approvals, Virgin Australia will launch flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to Doha from mid-2025, connecting seamlessly into Qatar Airways’ global network1. These extra flights will be operated under wet-lease by Qatar Airways and will open up more than 100 new connecting itineraries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Australian travellers.

 

[jase05]

Jayney emailed today, saying Virgin is aiming on getting approved 25% Qatar ownership, AND adding this VERY interesting tidbit -

Subject to relevant regulatory approvals, Virgin Australia will launch flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to Doha from mid-2025, connecting seamlessly into Qatar Airways’ global network1. These extra flights will be operated under wet-lease by Qatar Airways and will open up more than 100 new connecting itineraries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Australian travellers.

Yes, has been mentioned many times in this thread today

 

[Human]

Something that I don't think has been mentioned yet: (apologies if it has!)

If VA flies to Doha, it would mean that Virgin's own, better, Velocity reward points table would apply: ie, Australia east coast to Doha for 71,700 Velocity points for a Business class flight. To fly to Doha currently on Qatar costs 104,000 Velocity points (not to mention the high carrier charges).

Conceivably, VA would move Qatar redemptions into the better redemption table (which currently includes Virgin Australia, United, and Virgin Atlantic).

If that happens, a Business Class redemption on VA/QR to Europe could be booked all from the one redemption table and would cost 127,500 Velocity points, with lower carrier charges (at least on the Australia-to-Doha leg) as well.

That, coupled with the greater availability that comes from increased flights, would be a massive win for Velocity members and would cement Velocity as the FF programme of choice for flying to Europe and back.

 

[SYD]

Something that I don't think has been mentioned yet: (apologies if it has!)

If VA flies to Doha, it would mean that Virgin's own, better, Velocity reward points table would apply: ie, Australia east coast to Doha for 71,700 Velocity points for a Business class flight. To fly to Doha currently on Qatar costs 104,000 Velocity points (not to mention the high carrier charges).

Conceivably, VA would move Qatar redemptions into the better redemption table (which currently includes Virgin Australia, United, and Virgin Atlantic).

If that happens, a Business Class redemption on VA/QR to Europe could be booked all from the one redemption table and would cost 127,500 Velocity points, with lower carrier charges (at least on the Australia-to-Doha leg) as well.

That, coupled with the greater availability that comes from increased flights, would be a massive win for Velocity members and would cement Velocity as the FF programme of choice for flying to Europe and back.

I don’t recall VFF making any changes in and around flights to AUH when EY was the then BFF and VA metal was plying those skies.

Someone else here may recall?

But at the time, EY redemptions were pretty competitive. Before they were the first of the ME3 to start slapping excessive fuel fines on redemptions - the irony has never been lost on me…

 

[elanshin]

Something that I don't think has been mentioned yet: (apologies if it has!)

If VA flies to Doha, it would mean that Virgin's own, better, Velocity reward points table would apply: ie, Australia east coast to Doha for 71,700 Velocity points for a Business class flight. To fly to Doha currently on Qatar costs 104,000 Velocity points (not to mention the high carrier charges).

Conceivably, VA would move Qatar redemptions into the better redemption table (which currently includes Virgin Australia, United, and Virgin Atlantic).

If that happens, a Business Class redemption on VA/QR to Europe could be booked all from the one redemption table and would cost 127,500 Velocity points, with lower carrier charges (at least on the Australia-to-Doha leg) as well.

That, coupled with the greater availability that comes from increased flights, would be a massive win for Velocity members and would cement Velocity as the FF programme of choice for flying to Europe and back.

Why would you assume that they would move in that direction and not in the direction of QR?

Perhaps short term that might be a thing but given QR just actively changed a lot of their award structure, don't expect this to last if at all.

 

[pangwen]

Jayney emailed today, saying Virgin is aiming on getting approved 25% Qatar ownership, AND adding this VERY interesting tidbit -

Subject to relevant regulatory approvals, Virgin Australia will launch flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to Doha from mid-2025, connecting seamlessly into Qatar Airways’ global network1. These extra flights will be operated under wet-lease by Qatar Airways and will open up more than 100 new connecting itineraries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Australian travellers.

Others have already pointed out this was mentioned various times earlier in this thread, but the last sentence is a bit puzzling. Given QR already fly from BNE, MEL, PER and SYD to DOH, surely those connecting itineraries to destinations in Europe, ME and Africa are already possible?

EDIT: Unless we're talking about situations like someone flying to Europe from ROK. It's currently possible to get to DOH via BNE from ROK (VA-QR). But on the way back, the flight arrives in BNE too late to connect to VA's last ROK departure. I guess if VA's extra flight made it double daily for BNE, they could have a morning arrival in BNE which provides better regional QLD connections.

 

[Human]

Why would you assume that they would move in that direction and not in the direction of QR?

Because moving in the direction of QR would make Velocity redemptions more unattractive in terms of price and points required than Qantas, and I think there are significant consumer and market forces in Australia which would be a strong disincentive for Virgin to do that.

 

[elanshin]

Because moving in the direction of QR would make Velocity redemptions more unattractive in terms of price and points required than Qantas, and I think there are significant consumer and market forces in Australia which would be a strong disincentive for Virgin to do that.

But ultimately the one that would calling the shots on this specific route would be QR. They'd be undercutting themselves whilst providing the labour and aircraft to VA.

 

[justinbrett]

Because moving in the direction of QR would make Velocity redemptions more unattractive in terms of price and points required than Qantas, and I think there are significant consumer and market forces in Australia which would be a strong disincentive for Virgin to do that.

I think it will come down to how much VA has to pay QR for the redemptions.

I don’t think attractiveness comes into it at all.

 

[antycbr]

I think it will come down to how much VA has to pay QR for the redemptions.

I don’t think attractiveness comes into it at all.

Yes but the bit of VA driving its valuation is Velocity not the flying business. If Velocity is not competitive then the airline valuation is affected.

 

[moa999]

So when do we think these seats might go on sale (will presumably cause some reactions)

 

[henrus]

Others have already pointed out this was mentioned various times earlier in this thread, but the last sentence is a bit puzzling. Given QR already fly from BNE, MEL, PER and SYD to DOH, surely those connecting itineraries to destinations in Europe, ME and Africa are already possible?

You can expect QR to almost double their frequencies with half being a QR operated but “VA” flight.

Not quite the same but the QR/AY agreement shows what this could look like, it’s an AY flight with AY crew but 90ish% is only bookable under the QR code.

 

[HS-TQE]

VA as it is obviously have a set up that allows them to fly International routes. After all they have been flying internationally to HND for over a year. Pretty sure Bain would have a clued up legal team to ensure that continues.

Bain has had the VAi international subsidiary since they took over (acquired from the VA 1.0 administration) which was rebooted for Short International Routes to Bali, the Pacific Islands and NZ.