VA suspends MEL LAX to support increased BNE services

[markis10]

Re: Virgin Australia - Daily BNE/LAX from October 2014, MEL/LAX suspended

Am I correct in assuming BNE airport as an express path for security/immigration and I can ask for the passes when we arrive at Brissy airport?

thanks,

You can ask, they make good bookmarks which generally is their only use.

 

[Clivem]

Re: Virgin Australia - Daily BNE/LAX from October 2014, MEL/LAX suspended

Am I correct in assuming BNE airport as an express path for security/immigration and I can ask for the passes when we arrive at Brissy airport?

thanks,

Once you go down stairs from the check in desk level (L4) Security express priority lane/s are hit and miss - hardly ever when I go through and they aren't a 'fixture -lane" - There is often also a 'power hungry storm trooper' enforcing carry on bag weights and size limits before the main security area and you often find a novice traveller always wanting to argue with them holding things up ..... Security lines normally move at the usual pace once past that point. There are express lanes at the immigration desks area for pass holders after security (left hand end looking into the immigration area).

 

[rtyuiop]

Re: Virgin Australia - Daily BNE/LAX from October 2014, MEL/LAX suspended

There's often an express security line set up, whether or not it's much faster than the main queue is open for debate. The express lane through immigration is often noticeably faster!

 

[JohnK]

Re: Virgin Australia - Daily BNE/LAX from October 2014, MEL/LAX suspended

I believe VA in MEL give you a ticket to use the air train. If they can't/don't give you one ask the VA transfer desk on arrival in BNE at the domestic terminal.

If you take the orange Tbus it will cost you $5 pp as it's only free for pax booked on a QF flight nbr ex BNE Intl.

Not quite true. VA gives out tickets/vouchers for the TBus as well.

Better off using TBus as it is more frequent and much shorter walk at Domestic.

 

[Denali]

Re: Virgin Australia - Daily BNE/LAX from October 2014, MEL/LAX suspended

.... - There is often also a 'power hungry storm trooper' e.....

I havent been in a Brissy airport for a few years but it sounds like they haven't changed much.

Last time a rent a guard told me my scuba regulators were a potential weapon as I could swing them around my head. I told him that he obviously had not been inside an economy cabin for a while if he thinks you can swing anything around your head, Gladiator style.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Re: Virgin Australia - Daily BNE/LAX from October 2014, MEL/LAX suspended

Not quite true. VA gives out tickets/vouchers for the TBus as well.

Better off using TBus as it is more frequent and much shorter walk at Domestic.

Is it the one voucher that is good for Tbus or train or does it specify what mode of transport ie do you need to ask VA for a TBus voucher?

 

[JohnK]

Re: Virgin Australia - Daily BNE/LAX from October 2014, MEL/LAX suspended

Is it the one voucher that is good for Tbus or train or does it specify what mode of transport ie do you need to ask VA for a TBus voucher?

I am not sure but I would have thought it would be the same for both.

It is a small strip/voucher that you tear off from I guess the boarding pass folder they give you at check-in/transfer desk. I think you need to specifically ask for it as some people who board the TBus do not have it and have been told to go back to the transfer desk to get one or pay the $5.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Was chatting to a mate yesterday who is not an AFF member - he has flown MEL-LAX ret 4 times a year since this service began - he was totally unaware of VA's intention to can this service.

His response when I enlightened him - stuff them - no way I will transit via SYD or BNE - I do not care who I fly with or what it costs - it will be out of and into MEL! I can thoroughly understand.

 

[maninblack]

Re: Virgin Australia - Daily BNE/LAX from October 2014, MEL/LAX suspended

Where is the outrage over this route cut?

My life is ruined

 

[lovestotravel]

Was chatting to a mate yesterday who is not an AFF member - he has flown MEL-LAX ret 4 times a year since this service began - he was totally unaware of VA's intention to can this service.

His response when I enlightened him - stuff them - no way I will transit via SYD or BNE - I do not care who I fly with or what it costs - it will be out of and into MEL! I can thoroughly understand.

Yep most will go back to Qantas

Most don't bother with UA

 

[TomVexille]

Yep most will go back to Qantas

Most don't bother with UA

For the right price, UA is very good for my *G re-qualification.

But yes, this means QF 93/94 will likely be busier and potentially more expensive.

 

[eastwest101]

You only have to look at fares BNE-LAX and MEL-LAX to see why VA decided to do this, I have consistently seen direct MEL-LAX fares on VA for less $$ than direct BNE-LAX fares so we could assume that demand and ability to pay helps BNE-LAX yields wheras MEL-LAX may struggle.

It is strange though as far as competitor activity in MEL goes that UA have downsized to B787 service and presumably QF does OK with its MEL-LAX service with the A380.

For BNE-LAX there is really only QFs B747 as a non-stop competitor (and that is limited to the life span of the QF B747 fleet) plus the one stop competitors of FJ and NZ.

 

[TomVexille]

You only have to look at fares BNE-LAX and MEL-LAX to see why VA decided to do this, I have consistently seen direct MEL-LAX fares on VA for less $$ than direct BNE-LAX fares so we could assume that demand and ability to pay helps BNE-LAX yields wheras MEL-LAX may struggle.

It is strange though as far as competitor activity in MEL goes that UA have downsized to B787 service and presumably QF does OK with its MEL-LAX service with the A380.

For BNE-LAX there is really only QFs B747 as a non-stop competitor (and that is limited to the life span of the QF B747 fleet) plus the one stop competitors of FJ and NZ.

I don't think UA are really downsizing here. Currently they offer 2 772s to the US daily from Australia which is ~500 seats each way.

They are adding another 250 seats 6 weekly and eventually increasing to daily. So their overall capacity is increasing.