Here we go:
Virgin Australia Announces Changes To Los Angeles Services, With Daily Flights From Brisbane.
Virgin Australia today announced that it will increase services between Brisbane and Los Angeles, moving from four return services per week to daily return services, effective 26 October 2014.
Following this change, the Virgin Australia and Delta Air Lines trans-Pacific joint venture will offer two daily services between Sydney and Los Angeles and one daily service between Brisbane and Los Angeles.
On sale from tomorrow, the additional Brisbane services will be flown by Virgin Australia’s three-class Boeing 777 aircraft, which offer seatback in-flight entertainment, award-winning service, premium food and beverages and luxurious fully-flat bed seats in Business Class.
In order to increase services on the Brisbane route, Virgin Australia will cease services between Melbourne and Los Angeles, with the last flight operating from Melbourne on 25 October 2014. Effective 26 October 2014, there will also be a minor change to the departure time of Sydney to Los Angeles flights to allow an earlier arrival into Los Angeles, creating a more convenient schedule for corporate and leisure travellers. There will be no reduction in Virgin Australia capacity between Australia and the United States following these changes.
Virgin Australia’s Chief Commercial Officer Judith Crompton said: “We work closely with our alliance partner Delta Air Lines to review our trans-Pacific services and ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers and our commercial objectives.
“The changes announced today are a result of extensive market analysis. Having the right frequency is very important to corporate and leisure customers and moving to daily flights from Brisbane enables us to provide more choice and flexibility to those travelling to and from Queensland.
“Those travelling from Melbourne will still be able to travel to Los Angeles on one ticket with through-checked baggage, connecting through Sydney or Brisbane, and we are committed to providing competitive fares on these routes.
“North America is an extremely important market for Virgin Australia and we continue to work with our partner Delta Air Lines to enhance our customer offering on the trans-Pacific”, Ms Crompton said.
Customers that have already booked on a direct Melbourne to Los Angeles service for travel on or after 26 October 2014 will be contacted by their travel provider to discuss alternative options for travel. Customers travelling on Sydney to Los Angeles services on or after 26 October 2014 will be contacted by their travel provider or receive an email to confirm the new, earlier departure time.
How will this affect you or travellers in your organisation?
Customers with current bookings direct from Melbourne to Los Angeles or vice versa for travel on or after 26 October 2014 will be re-accommodated onto a flight from or to Brisbane.
Customers with current bookings direct from Melbourne to Los Angeles or vice versa for travel on or after 26 October 2014 will automatically be booked Domestic connecting flights to allow customers to connect to the new International flight free of charge.
Customers with current bookings direct from Melbourne to Los Angeles or vice versa for travel on or after 26 October 2014 booked in Business, Premium or Economy class will be re-accommodated into the same cabin of service as originally booked.
A schedule change will take place 23 July 2014 moving all guests onto new flights.
If the new flight is not suitable, what options are available for you or the travellers in your organisation?
Please contact your Corporate Travel Management Company for options available to you.
Changes
Customers may change:
To the same destination / same cabin for travel 3 months prior or post the original travel date. No Fare difference, taxes or change fee to be charged.
To a different destination for travel 3 months prior or post the original travel date. Fare difference and taxes are to be paid for by the guest, no change fee applies.
If the customer is not satisfied with the reaccommodation options offered the below Cancellation and Refund options are available.
Cancellations
The customer may cancel the affected sectors and retain the value of the ticket as credit for 12 months from the original ticket issuance date; or
Refunds
Customers may refund:
If the journey has not commenced: A full refund for entire itinerary is to be available to original form of payment.
If the journey has commenced: A refund only of the remaining un-flown itinerary is to be available to original form of payment.
Where do I go for more Information?
For further information please contact your Corporate Travel Management Company or your Virgin Australia Corporate Account Manager.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
