VA to fly to SIN [Rumour?]

[under the radar]

Max 9 hr shift for the FAs? Sounds like domestic only and would not apply to int ops.

that's just one element... there are many layers/conditions/requirements/ etc... imposed by airlines/authorities/unions/EBAs etc... that encompass (and 'restrict') the 'working conditions' of a 'flight attendant' ... believe me..it's not as 'straight forward' as it seems!! :shock:

 

[penegal]

Sat next to someone on VA in J yesterday, who seemed to think that up-gauging HKT and DPS from 738s to 332s would be likely before SIN services.

 

[dzinh]

I've also heard along the grapevine that XFB will be doing DPS runs before leaving the fleet around feb!

 

[toowongman]

While we're on the crazy cough rumour thread, off duty FA reckons E-jets are going soon - leaving routes either up to 738 or down to ATR or TT.

 

[dzinh]

Sorry, B is not leaving the fleet!!

 

[maninblack]

While we're on the crazy cough rumour thread, off duty FA reckons E-jets are going soon - leaving routes either up to 738 or down to ATR or TT.

IME FA's are amongst the last to know about major strategic moves or decisions and I would take anything they say with a grain of salt. I have been told a lot of rubbish by QF FA's over the years.

 

[Jousams]

While we're on the crazy cough rumour thread, off duty FA reckons E-jets are going soon - leaving routes either up to 738 or down to ATR or TT.

Won't happen given the new announcement of cloncurry, recent Canberra "private jets" advertising campaign and Christmas & keeling islands contracts they have with govt.

BNK, hearvy bay & Proserpine will go to TT. So will some OOL, Sunshine Coast, Tasmanian and HTI services (dont really know many airport codes)

 

[pauly7]

While we're on the crazy cough rumour thread, off duty FA reckons E-jets are going soon - leaving routes either up to 738 or down to ATR or TT.

Doubtful - although the e-jets have proved a complete PITA for Virgin to manage, with QF throwing refurbishedd 717s on the CBR route, there is no way VA will be able to let all services fall to the ATRs and they couldn't afford to run 737s. CBR is already a tough market for them.

 

[toowongman]

IME FA's are amongst the last to know about major strategic moves or decisions and I would take anything they say with a grain of salt. I have been told a lot of rubbish by QF FA's over the years.

Exactly. The FA in question was three parts to the wind at the time.

 

[cssaus]

The beauty of launching A330 services to HNL for VA is that it really hurts both JQ and QF and really leave the QF group with nowhere to hide. A tie up with DL may be popular with the punters as well as it would allow a stop and holiday in HNL and other options for entry into the USA besides the dreaded LAX, provided VA don't mind losing money as well.

I for one would stump up the money for a SYD-HNL-JFK ticket using VA & DL rather than going via LAX.

 

[lovestotravel]

Highly doubt VA would want to compete with HA, JQ & QF on the HNL route however, JQ are doing very well on the MEL-HNL-MEL route.

It's a matter of time before QF use an A330 on the SYD-HNL-SYD route, JQ will be using 787s and HA use some A330's

So in terms of product they will be quite similar, but the A330 on VA would still be superior

I would love VA to expand internationally on their own metal. From memory by years end they are going to order their next batch of medium/long-haul aircraft 787/A350. Personally it will be the A350 which can take over from A330 and 777 ops.

Depending on the size of this order, it will be telling what, if any, international expansion occurs

 

[lovestotravel]

I for one would stump up the money for a SYD-HNL-JFK ticket using VA & DL rather than going via LAX.

Clearing customs etc in HNL (assuming you would on such a flight) would be far far far far worse than LAX

 

[grubbidok]

I for one would stump up the money for a SYD-HNL-JFK ticket using VA & DL rather than going via LAX.

I'd prefer they go through SFO to link up with VX, but yes, anywhere but LAX would suit me fine.

 

[markis10]

, JQ are doing very well on the MEL-HNL-MEL route.

What makes you say that, 26 services flown in June carrying 5560 passengers, thats 213 per flight average or around 100 seats empty per flight.

 

[docjames]

I assume the 330 doesnt have the legs (with economic payload) for SYD-SFO or BNE-LAX (to fre up a 777)? Pity, as to SFO vs UA would be attractive.

 

[smit0847]

Sat next to someone on VA in J yesterday, who seemed to think that up-gauging HKT and DPS from 738s to 332s would be likely before SIN services.

I've been saying they should do this for ages. It's too long for a 737 in comfort and people complain there is no IFE etc.

 

[smit0847]

I assume the 330 doesnt have the legs (with economic payload) for SYD-SFO or BNE-LAX (to fre up a 777)? Pity, as to SFO vs UA would be attractive.

Correct. I believe SYD-SFO is one of the top 20/30 longest flights in the world? Would MEL-SFO direct be top 5?

 

[markis10]

Correct. I believe SYD-SFO is one of the top 20/30 longest flights in the world? Would MEL-SFO direct be top 5?

No, SFO - SYD is out of the top 30, while SFO MEL would be below LAX-MEL which sits at 14

 

[Fruitcake]

Correct. I believe SYD-SFO is one of the top 20/30 longest flights in the world? Would MEL-SFO direct be top 5?

From the wonderfully authoritative Wikipedia, even SYD-LAX is just outside the top 30 these days, although once SIN-EWR and SIN-LAX finish up it will probably squeak back in. SYD-SFO is only a little shorter than SYD-LAX.

MEL-SFO would be fifteenth, behind MEL-LAX but a little longer than HKG-YYZ.

 

[maninblack]

What makes you say that, 26 services flown in June carrying 5560 passengers, thats 213 per flight average or around 100 seats empty per flight.

I think that JQ changed from 2 flights a week to 3 flights a week for June/July. Do you know the July numbers? It's interesting that HNL is certainly not a budget destination but QF chooses to fly their budget airline their from MEL rather than QF mainline which might attract a broader group of travelers, especially if they put a decent aircraft on the route. QF just refuse to acknowledge that MEL is soon to be Australia's biggest city. Maybe VA will wake up to this inevitability.