VA2.0 International Partners

[HS-TQE]

Just discovered if you make a booking on Delta to an Australian destination, excluding Sydney they will sell a Virgin Australia ticket, with a VA flight number so you should get Virgin Australia status credits etc. Odd that they have have very few REX flights available considering they are actually partnered with REX.

It's an interline partnership only. Much like how QF/UA or VA/AA, for example, allow interlines.

Although no FF/credit is awarded on one leg unless a person is a FF of both programs (and subsequently has to retrospectively claim on both programs).

As for this DL/VA example, you can retrospectively claim VA credits/status for the VA legs only. Although the DL legs give out zero points/credits.

 

[henrus]

An interesting update to the VS partnership, it appears VA Gold/Plat/Club no longer get access to the LHR Clubhouse and are instead provided access to the Aspire Lounge at London T3.

Aspire Lounge at London Heathrow | Clubhouse | Virgin Atlantic

Discover our Revivals Lounge at London Heathrow

flywith.virginatlantic.com

At Boston, Johannesburg, New York JFK, San Francisco and Washington access to the Clubhouse is still offered to VA status holders.

For VA Gold/Plat the following benefits are still listed on VA's website:


The priority check in is rather straight forward, additionally this page suggests VA Gold/Plat/Club get access to the upper class wing at LHR T3, which is where the priority screening is offered although there are upper class counters and priority security in the regular part of LHR T3.

Upper Class Wing | Clubhouse | Virgin Atlantic

Arrive in style. From your car to the Clubhouse in no time at all.

flywith.virginatlantic.com

Finally priority boarding, where VA status holders get Group 4.

Boarding your flight | Security | Virgin Atlantic help centre

Booked a flight with us? Find out everything you need to know about boarding a plane, when you fly with Virgin Atlantic, such as which items you may bring on-board.

help.virginatlantic.com

 

[Airbumps]

Yep more inconsistency in benefits across the hodge podge of partners

 

[MooTime]

Yep more inconsistency in benefits across the hodge podge of partners

Your in the wrong game if your want consistency.

 

[jase05]

Yep more inconsistency in benefits across the hodge podge of partners

I believe SkyTeam alliance members also don’t get the use of the Clubhouse either except in a couple of rare cases. Seems VS are tightening access rules

 

[anyonebutqantas]

They should just bite the bullet and join Star.

 

[HS-TQE]

They should just bite the bullet and join Star.

Going to have to wait post IPO with 'new' co-owners as Bain on their own won't be willing to spend the money to apply for membership or the subsequent CapEx that goes with it.

 

[MooTime]

Going to have to wait post IPO with 'new' co-owners as Bain on their own won't be willing to spend the money to apply for membership or the subsequent CapEx that goes with it.

Also that there's not enough time to join an alliance, takes 12+ months I've read, they want ROI so IPO in 2023 essential.

It would probably look positive going to IPO with progress on joining an alliance full steam ahead, spruik it, more pax more $$ coming in from international bookings etc.

 

[HS-TQE]

Also that there's not enough time to join an alliance, takes 12+ months I've read, they want ROI so IPO in 2023 essential.

It would probably look positive going to IPO with progress on joining an alliance full steam ahead, spruik it, more pax more $$ coming in from international bookings etc.

There's also the process of getting all 'full members' on board. It only takes one full member saying no to veto an application.

Whilst NZ was a known impediment in the past (thanks to the battle of the 'multiple egos' e.g Luxon vs Borghetti and Hogan), there's still the question of any Luxon-era management still in NZ are still cautious of their time partnering with VA as a former co-owner and former JV partner.

 

[Digicola]

There's also the process of getting all 'full members' on board. It only takes one full member saying no to veto an application.

Whilst NZ was a known impediment in the past (thanks to the battle of the 'multiple egos' e.g Luxon vs Borghetti and Hogan), there's still the question of any Luxon-era management still in NZ are still cautious of their time partnering with VA as a former co-owner and former JV partner.

Its hard to see NZ wanting to veto it with the current state of things. It would basically assure VA passengers feed NZ at least accros the ditch and a few heading to NA. If they get to keep the QF codeshare they’d get a good chunk of business from Oz.

 

[HS-TQE]

Its hard to see NZ wanting to veto it with the current state of things. It would basically assure VA passengers feed NZ at least accros the ditch and a few heading to NA. If they get to keep the QF codeshare they’d get a good chunk of business from Oz.

Also, there's also the 'pocket change' NZ would get from VA interline, the same way QR benefits from QF interline as part of the basic Oneworld package. NZ could chose to keep at arms distance from VA the same way QR stays far apart from QF in Oneworld.

I'm sure NZ would take the VA interlines and 'lounge capacity' into consideration whilst reading over any potential future application (for those holding status as part of the default Star package), whilst NZ being able to keep their QF codeshare partnership.

In other words it would theoretically be a 'win win' either way for NZ, the $$ from the QF codeshare plus the 'pccket change' from the VA interlines.

 

[dajop]

Must be that time of the month again. I.e. the time someone brings up VA joining star and the merits are debated.

One thing though star alliance wouldn’t necessarily bring anything special for WP’s that SG’s don’t get as well. Star alliance has boutique top tiers that are recognised by individual airlines (and their JV partners - and airline families in the case of LH) but not alliance wide.

 

[HS-TQE]

There was a mention in the past on other social media platforms that VA would have to give up 'Family Pooling' if there were to apply for Star Alliance. This would be a problem already for any incoming post-IPO co-owners, or even Bain themselves.

Plus cross-Alliance partnerships were reportedly frowned upon in the early years of Global Alliances (although this was loosened up over time where cross-Alliance JVs are becoming more common).

 

[bernardblack]

There was a mention in the past on other social media platforms that VA would have to give up 'Family Pooling' if there were to apply for Star Alliance. This would be a problem already for any incoming post-IPO co-owners, or even Bain themselves.

Plus cross-Alliance partnerships were reportedly frowned upon in the early years of Global Alliances (although this was loosened up over time where cross-Alliance JVs are becoming more common).

Why the prohibition on pooling? I think AC and maybe OZ (for however long it survives) have it? Is it because you can pool for status, which might be unique?

 

[Digicola]

Must be that time of the month again. I.e. the time someone brings up VA joining star and the merits are debated.

One thing though star alliance wouldn’t necessarily bring anything special for WP’s that SG’s don’t get as well. Star alliance has boutique top tiers that are recognised by individual airlines (and their JV partners - and airline families in the case of LH) but not alliance wide.

Hey at least the « VA will join Skyteam » side of things has been put to rest for good.

The SG/WP having same alliance benefits isn’t dissimilar to many multi tiered *A members. Think NZ, AC, NH. Even SQ’s PPS « only » maps as Gold. There was debate about a tier above gold but god knows what happened to that.

I think we can debate this topic ad nauseum. I don’t even know if VA’s current antiquated systems can cope with it really, it barely works as is.

I’d just love to end the « Velocity isn’t a Star alliance member » conversations and have a partner of choice for intra europe flights at this point.

 

[dajop]

I’d just love to end the « Velocity isn’t a Star alliance member » conversations and have a partner of choice for intra europe flights at this point.

Priority pass + Easyjet

 

[HS-TQE]

Hey at least the « VA will join Skyteam » side of things has been put to rest for good.

The SG/WP having same alliance benefits isn’t dissimilar to many multi tiered *A members. Think NZ, AC, NH. Even SQ’s PPS « only » maps as Gold. There was debate about a tier above gold but god knows what happened to that.

I think we can debate this topic ad nauseum. I don’t even know if VA’s current antiquated systems can cope with it really, it barely works as is.

I’d just love to end the « Velocity isn’t a Star alliance member » conversations and have a partner of choice for intra europe flights at this point.

VA's current systems is one of the reasons why they'll be backing off spending the $$ and subsequent CapEx on applying whilst their current owners are on IPO mode.

Also if QR emerges with a large VA stake post IPO as speculated in media, it's safe to say they'll defer any alliance membership for VA for the medium term when QR assesses things in that scenario.

 

[RAM]

Is it just me, or has VA II's web site become far less VFF friendly?

Perhaps I am missing something (happens to frequently...) but I used to be able to find a link to what SIA lounges a VFF Gold or Platinum could access when flying on an SIA flight - such as the Lufthansa lounge at MUC.

Try as I might - I cannot find any list now on VA's web site.

 

[justinbrett]

Also if QR emerges with a large VA stake post IPO as speculated in media, it's safe to say they'll defer any alliance membership for VA for the medium term when QR assesses things in that scenario.

I don't know about that.

What's the options if QR has a large stake? VA isn't going to be joining oneworld, we can definitely rule that out.

Would QR leave oneworld over VA? Very much doubt it, it's got close ties with a lot of oneworld airlines now, even without QF, I don't think VA is worth that much to them to risk their core business.

Would VA join another alliance with QR remaining in oneworld? Why not? They've already partnered with VA as a oneworld rival airline, what would VA joining start alliance or skyteam change?

Whether or not QR invest in VA, and whether or not VA joins an alliance, are two unrelated concepts.

 

[Bagpuss]

What's the options if QR has a large stake? VA isn't going to be joining oneworld, we can definitely rule that out.

Qatar is the largest shareholder of IAG (which includes British Airways amognst others) : International Airlines Group - Wikipedia
So VA wouldn't have to join OneWorld.
With the current strategy of VA being domestic / short international really the current model works fine.

Most likely if Qatar did become a shareholder really in my opinion shuts down any alliance talk. If Singapore Airlines come to the fold again, there could be a Star Alliance push and that's about it.