Qatar Airways to acquire 25% of Virgin Australia

[Saab34]

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

I’ll take 350!

 

[jase05]

QR is phasing out F completely anyway

QR boss was splashed all over the news in our last trip to Doha and said that F was very much in their plans still

 

[Human]

QR is phasing out F completely anyway

Apparently not true. They’re planning to install first class on some, at least, of their 777Xs

Qatar Airways Boeing 777X: What Should We Expect?

Qatar Airways will eventually fly a lot of Boeing 777Xs. Here's what we can expect from these jets at Qatar Airways.

onemileatatime.com

 

[jrfsp]

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

Do we know if specific aircraft will even be leased?

As opposed to leasing for a service, where any number of aircraft can operate it and then be rotated through DOH with other QR flights.

 

[Viridis]

I’d imagine BA will be cut free completely when their deal is up for renewal. Can’t see ACCC approving it.

Apologies for the ignorance, but BA will be "cut free completely" from what?

BA and QR have a very close relationship with flights, Avios & ownership

 

[ben95]

Apologies for the ignorance, but BA will be "cut free completely" from what?

Presumably he meant the current JV between QR/BA/IB.

I don't see why ACCC would be against it. What's BA bring to the table if it were to operate as a compeitior to QR? 1 daily SYD via SIN, not much in the grand scheme of things when you look at the major participants/JV in the market (SQ, EK+QF, QR+VA)

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

It could be. But it could not be.

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

True, but QF also is well established flying its own metal to/from Singapore and already has ops set up to manage the soft product on both ends.

VA would effectively have to start from scratch, so "sub-contracting" the soft product to QR seems plausible, and that's even before considering whether QR has a preference to preserve its own brand image.

I suspect the flights will look all but indistinguishable from QR's native flights on the same routes, but am prepared to stand corrected.

 

[justinbrett]

Presumably he meant the current JV between QR/BA/IB.

I don't see why ACCC would be against it. What's BA bring to the table if it were to operate as a compeitior to QR? 1 daily SYD via SIN, not much in the grand scheme of things when you look at the major participants/JV in the market (SQ, EK+QF, QR+VA)

Yes but you need to look at is as whether ACCC will sign a QR, BA, IB and VA JV. Getting a bit hefty.

Cutting BA lose might see them join up with MH or CX and provide more competition.

For the same reason I doubt ACCC would allow EY join the EK/QF JV.

 

[Saab34]

I assume they will run the second daily flight BNE/SYD late arvo arrival and early evening departure. Melbourne I wonder if they might run an early AM departure like EK if they intend to go three daily.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sorry, I'm a bit behind play:

The authorisation is for five years.

Interim authorisation. Final to come. Could have any conditions on it. Approval now is so VA can start marketing for the peak season next year. They have accepted that they may have to refund/make alternative arrangements if final approval isn't forthcoming.

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.

No reason for that. look at QF/AY.

As far as pax are concerned, buying VA ticket, its 100% VA until they actually board the plane and see the QR uniforms. Catering has been loaded - could be any standard. Amenities could be anything. Its a VA flight.

QR code-sharers get whatever everyone else gets.

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

I think it needn't be.

How them about developing a market where VA offer 'low regular fares'; no lounge access in Australia; in DOH you get one of their lower standard ones. VA standard catering, (anyway, not QR). Lower-grade amenities on board. No wi-fi (like QF on AY).

Might get a new cohort of pax from VA to DOH expecting to pay less and accepting less than 'full service' because they are saving a thousand or so. QR connects them onto Europe on their normal fares, normal service, usual profit. QR get their lease fees on the cheaper VA flight.

As per their current Oz model, sorta mid market.

At least on start up to get the market going. Later align more closely ...

 

[drron]

Yes but you need to look at is as whether ACCC will sign a QR, BA, IB and VA JV. Getting a bit hefty.

Cutting BA lose might see them join up with MH or CX and provide more competition.

For the same reason I doubt ACCC would allow EY join the EK/QF JV.

The BA/IB/QR JV will still operate as now. ACCC has had no problems with it. Presumably the had some input as there is no BA codeshare on QR flights into SYD.
But there will not be BA codeshares on the QR/VA flights I would presume.