Tokyo Haneda slot - how will Virgin Operate it?

[oz_mark]

There are a range of risk factors that need to be assessed together and separately.

Ironically it was a Black Swan event that cruelled the initial start of their services

More of a grey rhino than a black swan.

Pandemics are highly probable but neglected events.

 

[Must...Fly!]

More of a grey rhino than a black swan.

Pandemics are highly probable but neglected events.

Interesting take I've not seen before.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Blessing in disguise?

Retrospectively

 

[stm1sydney]

Sounds like a great service, and will definitely consider it for leisure travel ex SYD. The price is great for J (admittedly a limited J product) and it is HND which is very convenient. Lots of status credits too, I imagine. But will need lounge access at both CNS and HND.

 

[MooTime]

Sounds like a great service, and will definitely consider it for leisure travel ex SYD. The price is great for J (admittedly a limited J product) and it is HND which is very convenient. Lots of status credits too, I imagine. But will need lounge access at both CNS and HND.

NEED lounge access or WANT lounge access??

That is the question.

 

[dajop]

NEED lounge access or WANT lounge access??

That is the question.

If addicted to the dopamine a lounge provides, NEED is the right word.

 

[bullerdude]

Cairns has previously been a popular destination for Japanese tourist although not sure how well its picking up since international travel has returned.

I’ve previously been on a 717 flight from Cairns to Alice Springs and it was 95% Japanese tourists.

At a considerably lower price point for business seats it makes an interesting case for leisure travel and I’d probably be ok with daytime flights, but not as sure on overnight flights.

Will be interesting to see if they’ve picked a stronger J product but i suspect it will be similar the recliners they previously tested on 1x 737 domestically - which were pretty comfortable for standard J seats.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

If they can run it cheap, as a LCC, then it would probably be good for those coming down, or those going up, ie, to and from Japan, and who don't care for the "creature comforts" that some *(most of us on here)* are used to, ie, lounges at departure points, preferred check in line for those with status (either with VA/airline partners)...
I am sure that there are some of the Aust travelling population, who would go at any cost, ie, those who love JQi flights from Au to DPS.
Very most likely, there would be no VAi lounge in CNS, if a flyer had status, they *might* be able to use the VAd lounge at CNS airport.
Cheap cheap.

 

[antycbr]

Very most likely, there would be no VAi lounge in CNS, if a flyer had status, they *might* be able to use the VAd lounge at CNS airport.
Cheap cheap.

The VAd lounge in CNS was cut by VA when Bain took over.

 

[Vic]

Entirely coincidentally one of the conferences I have next year is advertising the location as being conveniently close to Haneda.

lol

edit:
I have always found the train in Sydney to be, by far, the best transfer option. If you consider the various buses to be rubbish then consider if you're willing to pay the (about) $6 or $7 for a transfer. If that's worth it to you, then I reckon the experience will be much better. Especially for D-I

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

The VAd lounge in CNS was cut by VA when Bain took over.

Heh, ta for that.
DIdn't realise the CNS had lost their VAd lounge, googlemaps, still has it listed there!

 

[AIRwin]

DIdn't realise the CNS had lost their VAd lounge, googlemaps, still has it listed there!

Listed there as permanently closed?

 

[Vic]

I'd already tweaked the comment about the QF J fares after posting but your quote has the original. The sentiment is the same though, fares for a 1 hour J flight vs a 7 hour J flight are in the same ballpark.

Regarding only comparing the cheapest fares, the point was being made that loads won't be a problem because people will want the cheaper fares - well that only works whilst the fares at that range are available. Who's going to fly a 7 hour flight in a 737 for 1K+ if you can do the same on a widebody from a larger, closer city?

You're comments about pricing on Qantas SYD-MEL do not match my experience. It is most certainly possible to get SYD-MEL cheaper than $700 return or $2300 in business. Those prices are at the HIGH end of qantas pricing. Really comparing the expense qantas price with the cheap Virgin price is not a valid comparison either.

QFd to JQi bags are connected (and vice versa)

Only flown this combination a couple of times, ironically connecting in CNS, and had to collect luggage IIRC

Considering the volume coming into CNS (~150 pax) I doubt it would be viable JUST for this flight. CNS airport website says that the Cairns Reef Lounge in the International Terminal is still closed...not sure how accurate that is though.
VA have 12-13 departures per day - hardly the volume to justify running their own. Probably better of giving J/WP pax a voucher for the food hall...

Cairns Reef lounge is a third party lounge - no need for VA to spend money establishing a lounge. have used in the JQ departing there, and I though CX also used it. when I used it with JQ it had just stopped being the QF status lounge.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Cairns Reef lounge is a third party lounge - no need for VA to spend money establishing a lounge. have used in the JQ departing there, and I though CX also used it. when I used it with JQ it had just stopped being the QF status lounge.

Is the Reef Lounge reopened yet? The CNS airport website says it's closed.

 

[Vic]

Is the Reef Lounge reopened yet? The CNS airport website says it's closed.

No idea
Just saying it's not up to Virgin to re-open it, is all

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

No idea
Just saying it's not up to Virgin to re-open it, is all

Agreed definitely! It'll be interesting to see what the J service and meals are going to look like on this route..

 

[Digicola]

Agreed definitely! It'll be interesting to see what the J service and meals are going to look like on this route..

I doubt it will be very different to DPS, maybe with the addition of a snack later in the flight like a hot wrap or something, a bit like SQ between SIN and East Coast.

 

[Vic]

Agreed definitely! It'll be interesting to see what the J service and meals are going to look like on this route..

Jetstar to Japan isn't too bad for meals. Also only a Y+ seat. I can't see Virgin having too much hassle. Pricing difference is a few hundred more that Jetstar, where I've usually got the max pack for about $800 to $1K each way.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Sounds like a great service, and will definitely consider it for leisure travel ex SYD. The price is great for J (admittedly a limited J product) and it is HND which is very convenient. Lots of status credits too, I imagine.

Depends on the routing, but yeah you can easily get Gold travelling out of SYD on a J fare for ~$2,300:


That routing would give you a total of 550 SCs

• SYD > MEL - 55 SCs
• MEL > CNS - 80 SCs
• CNS > HND - 140 SCs
• HND > CNS - 140 SCs
• CNS > BNE - 80 SCs
• BNE > SYD - 55 SCs

This trip alone would earn you the 4 eligible sectors and 500 status credits to earn Virgin Gold from scratch.

Taking a step back, though, a key question is whether it's worth it and whether that's the most economical way to generate those status credits. In particular I bring your attention to Qantas' perennial double status credits promotion, which when combined with a good J sale fare can be a very cost effective way of earning status. For instance I'm flying SYD > MEL > AKL > SYD > MEL in January for ~$1100 in J on QF and that will net me 480 status credits right there - certainly more economical than the HND fare. From there it's cakewalk to retain Gold status.

Most importantly whether it's worth shelling out the cash to pursue frequent flyer status really depends on whether you think you'll use the benefits. If you fly Virgin economy enough (i.e. on a monthly basis), then yeah, I guess you might benefit from it. I personally don't see myself setting foot too often on Virgin, but I do foresee myself setting foot on partners like United or Air Canada. In which case having those elite benefits and accruing status to a program that actually recognizes loyalty is worthwhile. For instance, on United you'd have to shell out a ton of money on flights with them to earn Premier Gold status. Air Canada status has a similar high bar.

All of that being said, I think I'd still focus my flying on Qantas since they are the airline I fly the most in Australia, they have a fairly wide network of international partners meaning if I'm abroad I can fly a JAL or BA and earn status credits and be recognized for my loyalty whilst flying them. In addition, advanced access to QF classic award seats has been particularly helpful over the past few months.

But will need lounge access at both CNS and HND.

I doubt Virgin will have a lounge set up in HND given how infrequently they fly there. Perhaps they will have a contract lounge arrangement set up with a "partner" like ANA. As for the CNS international terminal, do they even have any lounges there?

-RooFlyer88

 

[stm1sydney]

For instance I'm flying SYD > MEL > AKL > SYD > MEL in January for ~$1100 in J on QF and that will net me 480 status credits right there - certainly more economical than the HND fare. From there it's cakewalk to retain Gold status.

Yeah, but I get to go to Tokyo, and you are stuck in Auckland!