Tokyo Haneda slot - how will Virgin Operate it?

[henrus]

Any guesses when BNE-HND tickets will go on sale? Fingers crossed for 3 business reward seats...

Given that ANA just announced it's new SYD-HND flights will go on sale mid next month, I suspect Virgin might open sales around the same time.

 

[jase05]

Given that ANA just announced it's new SYD-HND flights will go on sale mid next month, I suspect Virgin might open sales around the same time.

The SYD-HND flights sparked a bit of interest from Mrs Jase as they are set to be day flights over and back (she hates the early morning arrivals back to Australia)

 

[FTac]

Do we have any details about Virgin's new partnership? (Or speculation!)

 

[henrus]

Do we have any details about Virgin's new partnership? (Or speculation!)

​

Has it even been approved yet?

Pure speculation and questions below about how some things will work...

Whilst it'd be nice, I'm not expecting Velocity Gold/Platinum to be treated like a star gold (sans lounge access) across the ANA network similar to the Singapore Airlines partnership.

What will be interesting is how far they take it... Virgin have a partnership with Air Canada however status benefits don't apply and you only earn on VA marketed AC operated services, fingers crossed the partnership isn't this basic.

In terms of earning. It's likely that the Virgin operated flights carry a ANA flight number (and vice versa), however hopefully Velocity members will be able to earn points and status credits even on NH marketed/operated flights (Similar to most of the current Velocity agreements).

Domestically, It's probably worth looking at the Etihad/ANA partnership to gauge what sort of benefits will apply. Etihad benefits on ANA only apply to a few routes so benefits are limited to those routes however I hope the VA/NH codeshare will cover the entire ANA domestic network.

ANA operate 14 domestic lounges so I expect Virgin Gold/Platinum to get access to those (In return it's likely NH will gain access to VA's domestic lounge network). Etihad only have access to 5 domestic lounge on the codeshare routes so let's hope it's more than that. Also - Priority Baggage, Boarding and Check-in with 15kg extra for Gold and 20kg for Platinum (that's the current EY agreement which is likely to be similar).

Now for the international routes...
ANA will operate SYD-HND and PER-HND whilst Virgin will operate BNE-HND.

Obviously from BNE-HND VA Gold/Platinum will have access to MyLounge with all the other perks as standard given it's a VA operated flight. I'd hope this is the same regardless of being booked on a NH or VA code and in return NH Platinum & Diamond should have access to MyLounge. In Tokyo access to the ANA lounge will be most likely (and maybe VA Platinum might get access to the ANA Suites Lounge?).

Where the partnership will get a little more interesting is on the SYD/PER - HND routes.

ANA will easily be able to provide extra baggage and priority checkin/baggage/boarding but lounge access might be more limited. ANA use the Air NZ lounges in both Sydney and Perth and we all know Virgin doesn't have a great relationship with Air NZ. This might mean a possible change to the House for ANA in Sydney or might just mean that Virgin Gold/Plat will get access to the House prior to a NH operated but VA marketed flight (similar to how the Hawaiian partnership works). In Perth it'll remain to be seen but I believe mid next year sees an independently operated lounge opening so maybe VA might send Gold/Plat to that lounge.

 

[Kandy]

I’m thinking Haneda will probably be international long haul rather than short haul?

 

[Must...Fly!]

I’m thinking Haneda will probably be international long haul rather than short haul?

Definitely.

 

[henrus]

I’m thinking Haneda will probably be international long haul rather than short haul?

​

Yep will definitely be long haul, Brisbane to Tokyo (HND) is only 166 miles shorter than SYD-HKG.

That'll mean no Platinum complimentary upgrades and upgrades on points will only be available for Gold/Plat when booking a Freedom fare.

 

[Mattg]

These flights are now on sale. Here is the schedule:

VA77 BNE 11:40 - HND 20:00 (9h 20m, 332)
VA76 HND 21:45 - BNE 07:45+1 (9h 0m, 332)

Most flights have 1x J reward seat and 9x Y reward seats available, with the exception of a few blackout dates during April school holidays.

 

[AIRwin]

$699 in Economy and $3499 in Business

 

[Mr Pumblechook]

Some additional Japanese destinations are now available connecting at HND but they only seem to book onto NH flight numbers at the moment.

 

[klm597]

Seems they prioritised domestic connections in AU above connections on the Japan end - from what I can tell an 8pm arrival into HND means no same-day ANA domestic connections.

Probably a wise move however and an 11:40am departure from BNE connects comfortably from ADL,SYD,MEL,CBR,CNS and even a few regional destinations.

Domestic connections in Japan are all bookable on the VA website but still all NH-coded for now.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Seems they prioritised domestic connections in AU above connections on the Japan end - from what I can tell an 8pm arrival into HND means no same-day ANA domestic connections.

Probably a wise move however and an 11:40am departure from BNE connects comfortably from ADL,SYD,MEL,CBR,CNS and even a few regional destinations.

Domestic connections in Japan are all bookable on the VA website but still all NH-coded for now.

It connects with the direct HBA - BNE flight on Saturdays but Hobartians will have to suffer two domestic flights to connect on all the other days. I wish VA would fly from MEL. The transfers are so quick and easy.

 

[Bundy Bear]

The pricing for economy is good; business not so good.
Now do I want to go to Japan.

 

[futaris]

27,800 points + $129.31 in Economy BNE-HND
27,800 points + $117.91 in Economy HND-BNE

59,500 points + $xx_.xx in Business BNE-HND
59,500 points + $132.91 in Business HND-BNE

 

[henrus]

I'd argue this has been quite poorly planned...

• You can't book oneway flights from Japan back to Australia.
• NH codeshares are non existent.
• All Domestic connections require an overnight stop in Tokyo with no choice (only option is the 6am domestic connection).
• Booking system doesn't even have an airline name for NH. Just shows NH in the booking site.
• Peak date getaway fares gone almost instantly (with no prior warning of the sale starting). As soon as the Getaway fares are sold, Singapore airlines is cheaper.
• Punching in Narita shows connection via Hong Kong (why not group Tokyo airports like most other airlines).
• Domestic Business connections are booking into Economy.

 

[futaris]

One-ways HND-BNE are bookable on external sites, e.g. Expedia Jp. Something like 66000 JPY one way though.

They just haven't added HND as a starting point on the Virgin Australia website...

 

[clarkkent]

Bah only 1 business reward seat per flight? Come onnn release more.

 

[Bagpuss]

Bah only 1 business reward seat per flight? Come onnn release more.

I dont have a problem with this. The focus is on making a profit.

 

[klm597]

It connects with the direct HBA - BNE flight on Saturdays but Hobartians will have to suffer two domestic flights to connect on all the other days.

Sounds like a good status run depending on how it prices out!

Domestic Business connections are booking into Economy.

For a new route to a new country the initial fare release was never going to be prefect. I'd hope the website limitations would be fixed within a few weeks but international J booking into domestic Y is definitely worrying.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Sounds like a good status run depending on how it prices out!

I’d happy give up my WP status if it meant direct flights out of HBA (I’d still want gold though )