Rex to fly between Australian capital cities

[AIRwin]

On the note of covid refund, I'm tempted to book the inaugural from BNE-SYD (and probably fly back same day) but if testing is required even for a day trip not leaving the airport then I'm not interested. Unlike Jetstar who actually allow for changes/credits if changes to testing requirements occur, it's unclear what position rex have on this issue.

I'm booked on the JQ inaugural from BNE-CBR and turning around on a day trip but haven't yet cancelled...

 

[jase05]

New marketing pitch... guaranteed social distancing on-board.

All jokes aside, I don’t want to see them struggle but it’s apparent that the 0700 slot just doesn’t work for them. Their arvo slot does ok but surely you can’t keep running a 737 with 30 passengers onboard paying $69 a seat. Eventually something has to give

 

[dajop]

All jokes aside, I don’t want to see them struggle but it’s apparent that the 0700 slot just doesn’t work for them. Their arvo slot does ok but surely you can’t keep running a 737 with 30 passengers onboard paying $69 a seat. Eventually something has to give

Yeh, maybe they're just picking up non-aligned leisure travellers and leaving home at 5-5:30am doesn't do it for many leisure travellers, and thus the morning departures are more the domain of business travellers.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Rex. Australia's most covid safe airline!

On the note of covid refund, I'm tempted to book the inaugural from BNE-SYD (and probably fly back same day) but if testing is required even for a day trip not leaving the airport then I'm not interested. Unlike Jetstar who actually allow for changes/credits if changes to testing requirements occur, it's unclear what position rex have on this issue.

Yeah, I was thinking for a dayt return from BNE to SYD you would need to go to international and get the 1 hour test for $150. Quite a tax on top of the airfare.

I am considering doing this, just because AP says "not possible".

Cheers skip

 

[Andrew Curran]

Speaking at the AGM yesterday, John Sharp provided some clarity on when the outstanding 737s would arrive. Previously they've been indefinitely delayed with no firm ETA dates. Two 737s before April 2022 with another six over the course of the year.

https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02456955-2A1341128?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4

 

[HS-TQE]

I wonder where REX's next 6 aircraft (after the 2x ex-VA) will come from? Let the speculation begin

 

[Carrots]

I thought John Sharp said they'll be picking up many more ex VA 737s when they fall over....

 

[jase05]

I thought John Sharp said they'll be picking up many more ex VA 737s when they fall over....

Well ZL9 went out with just 46 in Y this morning at 0700 on the SYD-MEL slot. VA808 at the same time only had a couple of empty seats.
I just can’t see that time slot being persisted with unless they have a ace up their sleeve

 

[Mattg]

All jokes aside, I don’t want to see them struggle but it’s apparent that the 0700 slot just doesn’t work for them. Their arvo slot does ok but surely you can’t keep running a 737 with 30 passengers onboard paying $69 a seat. Eventually something has to give

I think this - and the fact that most of their J cabin seems to be filled by free upgrades - is a symptom of a broader problem for Rex - they have done nothing to lure business travellers.

The vast majority of people choosing a 6-7am flight are business travellers. Why would they choose Rex over QF or VA, the latter of which has fares for the same price that also include seat selection, access to decent airport lounges and all the benefits that come with having a frequent flyer program. Rex doesn't even have a frequent flyer program yet, which frankly in Australia is a must-have if you are trying to compete for business travellers.

Yeah, I was thinking for a dayt return from BNE to SYD you would need to go to international and get the 1 hour test for $150. Quite a tax on top of the airfare.

I am considering doing this, just because AP says "not possible".

Cheers skip

The express PCR test at the SYD int'l terminal is now $79 with a 90-minute turnaround time

 

[jakeseven7]

I think this - and the fact that most of their J cabin seems to be filled by free upgrades - is a symptom of a broader problem for Rex - they have done nothing to lure business travellers.

The vast majority of people choosing a 6-7am flight are business travellers. Why would they choose Rex over QF or VA, the latter of which has fares for the same price that also include seat selection, access to decent airport lounges and all the benefits that come with having a frequent flyer program. Rex doesn't even have a frequent flyer program yet, which frankly in Australia is a must-have if you are trying to compete for business travellers.

Rex don't have the frequency for business travellers either. We don't use them and won't on the triangle for this reason amongst others. Catch 22 really isn't it....

 

[jase05]

I think this - and the fact that most of their J cabin seems to be filled by free upgrades - is a symptom of a broader problem for Rex - they have done nothing to lure business travellers.

The vast majority of people choosing a 6-7am flight are business travellers. Why would they choose Rex over QF or VA, the latter of which has fares for the same price that also include seat selection, access to decent airport lounges and all the benefits that come with having a frequent flyer program. Rex doesn't even have a frequent flyer program yet, which frankly in Australia is a must-have if you are trying to compete for business travellers.



The express PCR test at the SYD int'l terminal is now $79 with a 90-minute turnaround time

Would be a interesting experiment to see what their loads looked like at say a 0900 or 1000 departure. For the reasons you said I just can’t see 0700 being anything more than a loss maker

 

[dajop]

Rex doesn't even have a frequent flyer program yet, which frankly in Australia is a must-have if you are trying to compete for business travellers.

Yes, this, as I've mentioned before just astounding that they haven't got this up and running yet.

Although how to make it appealing might well be the challenge with having one. Those aspirational international awards could make it difficult - if you look at the precovid world, could only think of two significant international carriers into Australia not stitched up in QFF or Velocity - namely United and Thai. Then a group of carriers largely just serving MEL & SYD .... like CZ, VN, GA, PR, CA,

 

[HS-TQE]

BR (Star) and KE (SkyTeam) were also not tied up in QFF or Velocity either, but had interlines with both carriers. Both are considered major North Asian carriers. The same with TG.

UA has a current exclusive interline with QF group carriers (Although IIRC you could book VA and UA in the one booking via third parties, it required to re-check bags at each point regardless, thus no interline there).

 

[dajop]

UA has a current exclusive interline with QF group carriers

Not that interline agreements actually mean anything in terms of loyalty programs, the two are independent. QF has interline agreements with most legacy carriers, irrespective of FF relationship.

Also ExpertFlyer begs to differ on UA, both VA and UA show "e-ticket interline agreements" between the two carriers. Interestingly it shows under "Paper tickets and baggage interline agreements" that UA "may check baggage to" VA, but not the other way around (but VA has a very small list for these, not even including SQ, EY or DL under this section).

By contrast ZL has no "e-ticket interline agreement"s. And only allows paper ticket or baggage through check to BI, GF and itself. So really only BI!

 

[HS-TQE]

Expertflyer and VA Mk 1.0's own magazine in the past had slightly different lists for interline. (There were a few listed in EF but not in VA Mk 1.0's magazine) There has been past reports from passengers where the carrier's listed in Expertflyer but not in VA 1.0's magazine were told to collect their bags and re-check in because they did not have a 'formal agreement' with VA.

 

[Mattg]

Just had a look out of interest at the loads on today's 5.30pm SYD-MEL flight on Rex.

Rex currently has 6 J seats available for sale, indicating it has only sold 2 seats at most.

However, looking at the seat map 5 minutes before departure, 6/8 J seats are occupied. Which indicates to me that 4/6 J pax were given free upgrades.

If Rex can't sell more than 2 J seats on a 5.30pm SYD-MEL flight on a Friday, that's a problem.

 

[jb747]

I suspect that the entire business case for Rex getting into 737s was based upon Virgin collapsing, but not on a rebirth. I used their 340 services a lot, and liked them out of Albury, but I have to wonder about this.

 

[MooTime]

I suspect that the entire business case for Rex getting into 737s was based upon Virgin collapsing, but not on a rebirth. I used their 340 services a lot, and liked them out of Albury, but I have to wonder about this.

I never thought of that angle.

Rex wanting to replace VA, not compete.

Hmm, lot not going to plan possibly.

 

[henrus]

I never thought of that angle.

Rex wanting to replace VA, not compete.

This was no secret... You could see them talking about it in the AFR. The question for REX is that now VA had survived, where to now?

 

[jase05]

This was no secret... You could see them talking about it in the AFR. The question for REX is that now VA had survived, where to now?

They are set to extend their 737 fleet