VA to HKG from Jul 5 2017, ex MEL

[Pleb Status]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

Two things can happen now (or very soon from now).

Firstly, the [?] can be removed from the thread title. Secondly, those how posted in this thread that 'VA will never fly to HKG' can now admit how 'uninformed' they were/still are.

As I posted previously, this will be one less A330 in the domestic system for transcons which will be a negative for me unfortunately.

 

[tm.smile]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

It'd certainly be interesting to see them launch flights within 4 months...

 

[toowongman]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

Two things can happen now (or very soon from now).

Firstly, the [?] can be removed from the thread title. Secondly, those how posted in this thread that 'VA will never fly to HKG' can now admit how 'uninformed' they were/still are.

As I posted previously, this will be one less A330 in the domestic system for transcons which will be a negative for me unfortunately.

I wonder how they will handle any IRROPS out of HKG? However this is a great step. I hope they can offer some decent catering in Y and have plenty of reward seats. Lounge access ex-MEL could be flaky, I suspect it will be T2 domestic before security. May we live in interesting times.

 

[aaronm]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

Lounge access ex-MEL could be flaky, I suspect it will be T2 domestic before security. May we live in interesting times.

They're barely getting away with this for narrowbody flights to the Pacific. I don't think it's a reasonable solution for business and status travellers to LAX and HKG, once both routes commence. SQ lounge is already fairly busy, so perhaps the EY lounge will be opened up?

 

[andyhui01]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

Is there enough turnaround time for VA to offer daily services with 1xA330 on this route? or do we think this will be a 3-4 times weekly service?

 

[badseed]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

Interesting AusBT have revised their article and the URL, saying that 'Melbourne is tipped'. Wonder if their VA source leaked the news too early?

 

[soorox]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

Is there enough turnaround time for VA to offer daily services with 1xA330 on this route? or do we think this will be a 3-4 times weekly service?

Definitely, MEL-HKG only needs 1 A330 to operate a daily schedule. This question now is:

1. What times will these flights take off exMEL: Morning, Mid-Morning, Afternoon?
2. Lounge options for FF's and J pax
3. Flight frequency

Once the revamped NZ lounge re-opens, the old UA space will be available, I don't see why VA can't use that space for their own lounge, although it's not very big, it may solve some issues with the inconsistent lounge policies in place currently.

As for slots, I'm sure someone at HNA will be able to help VA out, may it be swapping with HX or any other airline in the HNA Group.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

Definitely, MEL-HKG only needs 1 A330 to operate a daily schedule. This question now is:

1. What times will these flights take off exMEL: Morning, Mid-Morning, Afternoon?
2. Lounge options for FF's and J pax
3. Flight frequency

Once the revamped NZ lounge re-opens, the old UA space will be available, I don't see why VA can't use that space for their own lounge, although it's not very big, it may solve some issues with the inconsistent lounge policies in place currently.

As for slots, I'm sure someone at HNA will be able to help VA out, may it be swapping with HX or any other airline in the HNA Group.

If VA do choose MEL > HKG to launch the new route, they should be able to enjoy success on the route, due to the very high loads that QF & CX enjoy.
I suspect whilst VA will be new competition for the incumbents, they won't exactly be taking all that much custom away from them either as demand frequently exceeds supply on this sector.

The timings and Lounge options at both ends will be interesting and this is where VA may not be able to match the product offering of QF & CX.

As for VA opening a lounge at MEL, their has been speculation that AMEX are eager to open a lounge at MEL too. So it wouldn't surprise me that VA may in fact continue to offer the services of other operators in regards to lounge access.

 

[cssaus]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

It will be interesting to see if the schedule for HKG will permit onward connections with VS to LHR. I certainly miss the VS arrivals lounge at LHR.

 

[andyhui01]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

It will be interesting to see if the schedule for HKG will permit onward connections with VS to LHR. I certainly miss the VS arrivals lounge at LHR.

Pretty sure the most important connections are the HX/HU flights into China and not VS. VS leaves HKG late night whereas I think VA would want to arrive early morning to get the connections into China/Asia

 

[tm.smile]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

Pretty sure the most important connections are the HX/HU flights into China and not VS. VS leaves HKG late night whereas I think VA would want to arrive early morning to get the connections into China/Asia

A mid to late afternoon arrival is the best for VA to connect onto HX/HU services. Particularly for cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, Chongqing, Nanjing and Chengdu. Having a quick search, most of HX's daily services leave from roughly 4-5pm until about 9pm. Some routes have departures from 7am or so, but no all are daily and routes that have 1 service a day are all in the evening.

 

[Bagpuss]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

It's MEL: https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-launches-melbourne-hong-kong-flights

Afraid to disappoint everyone ... But this actually isn't confirming anything and just a repeat of previous announcements.

Mid 2017 is just 4 months away ... I don't see that occurring unless they are willing to have low load factors for a little while as international trips do get purchased further out than domestically.

 

[Pleb Status]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

Afraid to disappoint everyone ... But this actually isn't confirming anything and just a repeat of previous announcements.

Mid 2018 is just 4 months away ... I don't see that occurring unless they are willing to have low load factors for a little while as international trips do get purchased further out than domestically.

Mid 2018 is more than a year away....

 

[cssaus]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

Pretty sure the most important connections are the HX/HU flights into China and not VS. VS leaves HKG late night whereas I think VA would want to arrive early morning to get the connections into China/Asia

Well that wouldn't be too bad, a chance to spend the day in HKG. Will just have to see how things shape up.

 

[Pleb Status]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

VA press release -

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/about-us/media/2017/va-hna-hong-kong/

 

[tm.smile]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

Still no details and all it says will be announced 'in coming months' despite the actual flying date supposedly within those coming months

 

[tm.smile]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

Well that wouldn't be too bad, a chance to spend the day in HKG. Will just have to see how things shape up.

Nothing would get those high yield customers like making them spend hours connecting...

 

[Jurahn]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

As I posted previously, this will be one less A330 in the domestic system for transcons which will be a negative for me unfortunately.

Yes, a big negative for me as well

 

[Awesom Andy]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

I can't see how they could offer connections with VS, given the HKG-LHR departs at almost midnight, while LHR-HKG arrives around 5pm. It would be difficult to sell a minimum 3.5 hour connection where other airlines have better options.

And for the Chinese connections to work, it should depart MEL (or anywhere on the east coast) no later than around 8am. That arrives into HKG around 3-ish. The flight back would need to be no later than about 7pm so it would be back in AU by 6am - and turns around to HKG. (MEL times are AEST GMT+10 - without daylight savings).

 

[Bagpuss]

re: VA to HKG from mid 2017 [From Where?]

Mid 2018 is more than a year away....

I mis-typed "mid 2017"