Rebranding V Australia and Pacific Blue under the Virgin Australia name

[haydensydney]

+1 on direct Las Vegas flights!!

 

[DJ737]

Another pic of the 777 here : User Photo

 

[notzac]

Another pic of the 777 here : User Photo

That actually looks pretty good!

 

[777]

That actually looks pretty good!

Yeah, that's a nice looking plane. I think i prefer it to the standard V Australia or standard Virgin Australia liveries.

 

[leemin]

Yeah, that's a nice looking plane. I think i prefer it to the standard V Australia or standard Virgin Australia liveries.

Agreed. It says 'Australia' more. Hopefully they keep it like that.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[smit0847]

Yeah, that's a nice looking plane. I think i prefer it to the standard V Australia or standard Virgin Australia liveries.

Agreed - looks more Australian and less 'virgin worldwide'.

 

[scibo10]

I agree, I think it looks pretty good, but I would think they need to make the tails consistent between their DOM and INT ops, otherwise it would fly in the face of the single brand strategy they are going for. Unlikely that SRB would be keen to drop the Virgin tail domestically.

Anyone know what is happening with Polynesian Blue? AusBT reported that a Virgin spokesperson confirmed that it would not be coming under the Virgin Australia umbrella. If so, could their be a name change or at the very least a livery change?

 

[wyvern]

Yeah a direct flight to London would be fantastic but I don't see it happening any time soon - perhaps Etihad would permit 3 flights a week from AUH to London but beyond that...

Etihad are fine in Business (and presumably first) but ground service is poor and their Economy cabin is hellish.

But the two airlines are rather fundamentally misaligned - VA offer no First class, their Business cabin, though nice enough, lacks the space and privacy of the Etihad J product, Etihad offer no PE service so PE customers are forced to slum it in Economy for part of their trip, and while the VA Economy product is well above average, with a comparatively low-density configuration, Etihad economy is a true cattle-class product with a crushing lack of legroom, cold service and a four-abreast middle row that is intensely unpleasant.

I'm not sure anyone else would be a significantly better fit, though.

I agree. I'd like to see a direct VA flight to London, or at least more product alignment with EY.

It is a shame, as if VA/EY aligned their product and it was possible to book PE or a comparable J right through I think there would be more takers. I have done the flight in Y twice (upgraded to PE onboard once and it is a very good international PE, better than BA or QF), but on balance I think it is easier to book SQ Y (decent Y service all the way) or BA/QF PE, as then the service is consistent throughout.

Also - the 'temporary' use of the Al Reem lounge at AUH for VA golds traveling in Y is enough to put you off booking this route even if the VA/EY fare is cheaper than the alternatives. Overcrowded, bright, uncomfortable seats and in the wrong part of the terminal. If you have Oneworld status and are travelling in Y, this is a reason to book other carriers such as BA/QF/VS/CX to be sure of getting a decent lounge.

It's interesting that VA still do not sell UK-Australia, only Australia-UK, though EY sell the journey both ways. Though I understand this is due to VS selling UK-Australia as much as anything else.