Qatar Airways to acquire 25% of Virgin Australia

[ben95]

as they are not oneworld operated.

It’s operated by Qatar Airways for Virgin Australia International for Virgin Australia.

 

[SYD]

But am I correct to think since QR are oneworld they could also use any oneworld lounge including QF?

I mean technically speaking any QFi lounge is available to QR with the OW network. They just don't advertise it. (Mainly SYD, MEL, BNE)

Only for QR F/J and OW status PAX flying on a OW code / OW metal.

So PAX on a QR operated, VA wet lease service won’t have automatic access to OW lounges.

 

[simmomelb]

But they don't actually operate their own which means VA can't just use these for their own international flights once the deal goes through. Either QR or VA would need to open some for that to happen. So I wonder which lounges will be used for the VA wet leased lounges to Doha then? Or will they be like all other VA international flights and be loungeless (which doesn't make them a very attractive option for business class pax)

There is no way they will operate these Doha wet-leased flights without a lounge, that would be a true failure in understanding this market and would be a nail in the coffin for this wet-leased route lasting. They will have a solution for these flights having lounge access under a new arrangement with lounge operators, I'd put my money on it.
Imagine that, lounge access is available at the Doha end directly from QR but not at this end. Crazy.

 

[dapianoman]

There is no way they will operate these Doha wet-leased flights without a lounge, that would be a true failure in understanding this market and would be a nail in the coffin for this wet-leased route lasting. They will have a solution for these flights having lounge access under a new arrangement with lounge operators, I'd put my money on it.
Imagine that, lounge access is available at the Doha end directly from QR but not at this end. Crazy.

I agree, it would be a sure fire way to kill the route before it's even started.
It'll be interesting to see what arrangements they come up with then as there doesn't seem to be a current obvious answer to the lounge question with neither QR or VA having international lounges here.

 

[drron]

For me no lounge access isn't an absolute killer. Flew VA BNE-DPS in J. No lounge access but it was considerably cheaper than any other J cabin at the time. about $500 cheaper than JQ. The other 6 in the J cabin obviously were OK with it as well.
I have also purchased the EK cheap J deals with savings of $5000 for the 2 of us SIN-FRA.

 

[jrfsp]

There is no way they will operate these Doha wet-leased flights without a lounge, that would be a true failure in understanding this market and would be a nail in the coffin for this wet-leased route lasting. They will have a solution for these flights having lounge access under a new arrangement with lounge operators, I'd put my money on it.
Imagine that, lounge access is available at the Doha end directly from QR but not at this end. Crazy.

I’d wager money on it being the NZ lounges (same as the QR metal flights)

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

I’m not sure about VA domestic flights but you don’t earn anything on QF domestic flights unless part of International itinerary so would be a useless program for those that predominantly fly domestic in Australia

Didn't realise that they excluded all QF domestic flights. Scandalous!

 

[dapianoman]

I’d wager money on it being the NZ lounges (same as the QR metal flights)

As VA are rebuilding a relationship with NZ and QR already have one, that's definitely a possibility

 

[Doctore1003]

As VA are rebuilding a relationship with NZ and QR already have one, that's definitely a possibility

The pay to enter lounges are another possibility.

 

[HS-TQE]

The House/Aspire on the East Coast Airports are also alternatives if the NZ lounges are full (I' d assume the NZ lounges apart from handling NZ are currently handling QR and soon handling the handful of VA Codeshare J pax from the Tasman services).

 

[justinbrett]

So PAX on a QR operated, VA wet lease service won’t have automatic access to OW lounges.

Well they won’t have any access, automatic or otherwise. VA would have to sign a contract and I can guarantee it won’t be with QF!

 

[serfty]

QR don't want their PAX using QF lounges, but they can't always stop them.

First class QR SYD DOH pax told they cannot enter the Qantas F lounge have to go to AIRNZ

I have had several clients whom I told they were entitled to the QF F lounge be told at check by the checkin dragons and supervisor they CANNOT enter the QF F lounge . I had told them they could, and they stupidly believed the checkin dragons and did not try . any client who did try was...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[SYD]

Well they won’t have any access, automatic or otherwise. VA would have to sign a contract and I can guarantee it won’t be with QF!

That’s what I said - in response to a comment that QR PAX can access QF lounges. I just expanded to emphasise that those VA flights will be lounge less as well unless VA do something.

 

[justinbrett]

That’s what I said - in response to a comment that QR PAX can access QF lounges. I just expanded to emphasise that those VA flights will be lounge less as well unless VA do something.

Yep, just that you said “automatic access” which implies there was a different option for access, but of course there’s not. No access. .

 

[SYD]

won’t have automatic access to OW lounges.

“Won’t” have….

Yep, just that you said “automatic access” which implies there was a different option for access, but of course there’s not. No access. .

QR PAX in F/J or OWE/S on QR metal have automatic access to QF lounges under OW rules.

Reiterating that is not in play with the wet lease flights (even if booked with a QR code).

In the unlikely event that VA did negotiate a lounge arrangement with QF, then they would.

But that presumes VA actually arranges something at all.

 

[moa999]

For me no lounge access isn't an absolute killer

And it certainly isn't for QR given their Business Lite fares.

 

[justinbrett]

“Won’t” have….

QR PAX in F/J or OWE/S on QR metal have automatic access to QF lounges under OW rules.

Reiterating that is not in play with the wet lease flights (even if booked with a QR code).

In the unlikely event that VA did negotiate a lounge arrangement with QF, then they would.

But that presumes VA actually arranges something at all.

I think we’re in furious agreement but your use of the term “automatic access” is redundant. VA operated flights would have no access, period.

 

[Saab34]

I’d be interested to see if QR wanted a say in who the next CEO is, and is perhaps one from their own patch? Hence the reason we still have not heard anything on that front.

 

[justinbrett]

I’d be interested to see if QR wanted a say in who the next CEO is, and is perhaps one from their own patch? Hence the reason we still have not heard anything on that front.

I think much more likely to be an Australian citizen which strong connections in the government and local industry.

Pretty useless installing a foreigner. An ex QF exec would be high on the list, as JH was.

 

[RooFlyer]

I’d be interested to see if QR wanted a say in who the next CEO is, and is perhaps one from their own patch? Hence the reason we still have not heard anything on that front.

I would say there was absolutely no doubt that having a say or influence over the next CEO would be sought by QR and very likely even a condition of investment (written or unwritten). I wouldn't be surprised if a name or two were already in mind and maybe even in conversation with them "If we get approval, we'd like you to think about throwing your hat into the ring... " Not a Qatari, but maybe someone they 'know' and have confidence in from their other airline investments?

Would probably be appointed before IPO (to show investors who they are investing in) and as justinbrett said, local connections and a political acceptable choice would be important. But that's more a short-term consideration. Airline management is pretty international. What skill set will be most important for the airline's success? Ability to manage international growth you'd think would be high on the list.

If you want to get conspiratorial, you could get someone acceptable locally, but only for, say, two years (knowingly or unknowingly to the candidate), with a strong international operational person under them. Then "the airline is entering a new phase of international development, with our own long haul fleet, so I think its time to hand over to someone better able to handle that, so I'm stepping down ..." - and walks away with $$$, job done. I've seen that in real life, in the mining industry.