Qatar Airways to acquire 25% of Virgin Australia

[simmomelb]

It will be interesting to see if VA adopt the QR catering as what it is right now or implement the VA catering aspect.

I can't see them using the current VA catering model for this route either way, it's not suitable for what won't be a 'budget fare'.
I think there will be a lot to reveal over the next 2 weeks.
Of course, I could be very wrong, but I don't see it being successful if they do and QR will no doubt have a lot of say in this aspect of it behind closed doors.

 

[p--and--t]

I just can't see them using the current catering model for this route either way, it's not suitable for what won't be a 'budget fare'.
I think there will be a lot to reveal over the next 2 weeks.

I have no inside knowledge at all, but my inkling is that QR sees these as pseudo additional QR capacity (they couldn't get due to an earlier gov decision) between ME and AU and won't want their brand tarnished too much as it could impact the rest of their business to/from AU.

Just imagine the outcry for same price and a big soft product differential e.g. poor catering, no jamas, no blankets/pillows, no lounge etc.

 

[SYD]

And to be fair QR themselves won’t stump up for the PP lounge at ADL so even after shelling out for a J fare you are sent to the VA DOM lounge

Except under OW rules, a QR J BP (non “Lite” fare) will get you into the QF lounges around the country (when open).

As mentioned earlier, there’s going to be fun and games at the QF lounges and I expect some tantrums and tiaras flying when regular travellers on QR start accidentally booking a QR codeshare (VA “operated” wet lease flight). Outside of QR and VFF’rs it will be a minefield.

But hopefully it helps bring airfares down for the rest of us.

 

[twinaisle]

I can't see them using the current VA catering model for this route either way, it's not suitable for what won't be a 'budget fare'.
I think there will be a lot to reveal over the next 2 weeks.
Of course, I could be very wrong, but I don't see it being successful if they do and QR will no doubt have a lot of say in this aspect of it behind closed doors.

I'm just looking at it from an aspect of other airlines who are under wet lease agreements. Example Philippine Airlines and vamos or QF and Finnair where the onboard product i.e catering is Philippines/ qantas

Post automatically merged: Today at 3:35 PM

Except under OW rules, a QR J BP (non “Lite” fare) will get you into the QF lounges around the country (when open).

As mentioned earlier, there’s going to be fun and games at the QF lounges and I expect some tantrums and tiaras flying when regular travellers on QR start accidentally booking a QR codeshare (VA “operated” wet lease flight). Outside of QR and VFF’rs it will be a minefield.

But hopefully it helps bring airfares down for the rest of us.

Why would there be fun and games when it will be a VA boarding pass that is issued with the VA flight number?

 

[p--and--t]

and I expect some tantrums and tiaras flying

I am sure the educated elite regular flyers never do this, surely not (sarcasm)

 

[odysseus]

Unless QR r cell, the business class band that doesn't include lounge access

That's never sold in isolation. It's just a different inflight bundle with different inclusions, not a standard offering.

Plus status overrides it. So again, can't see them telling their FF members no lounge for you if you book a 24 hour flight with this partner. It would be a false economy.

 

[twinaisle]

I am sure the educated elite regular flyers never do this, surely (sarcasm)

I'm pretty sure it's going to be the people who think they're frequent flyers, but they're really not who might do this, but the actual frequent flyers who know their the ins and outs won't be doing this.

 

[HS-TQE]

I'd assume the VA wet-leased flights will have a note saying "Operated by Virgin Australia for Qatar Airways" on the Booking Engine as a note below the "VA" wet-leased flights, and will list the "VA" native flight number on top followed by the "QR" codeshare flight number.

 

[Saab34]

Lounge issues aside, isn’t it just a normal QR flight? They are providing the lease to VA so wouldn’t everything just be standard QR? Aside the Flight Number.

Qatar Airways operated for Virgin Australia.

 

[twinaisle]

Lounge issues aside, isn’t it just a normal QR flight? They are providing the lease to VA so wouldn’t everything just be standard QR? Aside the Flight Number.

Qatar Airways operated for Virgin Australia.

Yes in theory and no as in no one knows yet.

 

[Saab34]

I just don’t think QR will want to drift too far away from its own in flight process, that creates further training, and the standard is already high. Ie, should be zero change for the cabin crew aside announcing the VA flight number. Pilots will obviously only need to use the VA callsign.

 

[SYD]

Why would there be fun and games when it will be a VA boarding pass that is issued with the VA flight number?

But peeps who aren’t regulars here will be saying, “but it’s a QR plane and here’s my J BP”….

It’s the same problem flying whY on codeshares on airlines outside of an alliance or redeeming points for partner airlines that are outside of an alliance etc Similar minefields…

 

[jrfsp]

Id be very surprised if in-flight service wasn't closely aligned with QR.

CNS-HND wasn't a huge step up from DPS flying. This is a whole different kettle of fish and QR will ensure as much.

 

[justinbrett]

Lounge issues aside, isn’t it just a normal QR flight? They are providing the lease to VA so wouldn’t everything just be standard QR? Aside the Flight Number.

Qatar Airways operated for Virgin Australia.

It could be. But it could not be.

QF on AY has its own IFE, catering and bedding.

 

[HS-TQE]

CNS-HND was pretty much almost the same as the East Coast-Bali international flights. Assumedly was treated as "Short Haul International" like VA's other ISH routes but with 2 meal services in J (plus selling BoB Hot Meals in Y).

 

[tmdl]

I'm just hoping some F reward seats get opened up on some of these new additional flights

 

[twinaisle]

I'm just hoping some F reward seats get opened up on some of these new additional flights

They're sending mainly 777 so there won't be any F.

 

[Saab34]

They're sending mainly 777 so there won't be any F.

Is that confirmed?

 

[twinaisle]

Is that confirmed?

It most likely will be 777/350.
Happy to be proven incorrect though.

 

[justinbrett]

QR is phasing out F completely anyway