VA's COVID-19 Minimal Network Schedule

[oz_mark]

Stupid first-wold problem I know.... but looking at flying VA next week.... J is still at the same price as usual - is there any cabin service on board? Does anyone know? The website says that due to "safety concerns" nothing is available for purchase.... but since J is all-inclusive, does that mean we still get food/booze?

Obviously, if there is no catering, then there is no point in J, especially since they have said that they are blocking off all middle seats in Y anyway.....

I'll find a link. But believe it is a snack and water regardless of.cabin.

 

[Max Samuels]

I'll find a link. But believe it is a snack and water regardless of.cabin.

Yeah I saw that link.... which makes me wonder how they can continue to offer "Business"?

 

[Max Samuels]

I'll find a link. But believe it is a snack and water regardless of.cabin.

"The policy also includes a simplified onboard menu offering to reduce contact between passengers and the airline’s crew. Complimentary water and a snack will be served to all guests, irrespective of cabin, and food and beverages will no longer be available for purchase onboard."

I wonder if that reads "complimentary snacks in Y because they were previously only for purchase, but J should be as normal"?

 

[N860CR]

Having flown yesterday into the Republic of
Queensland... I can only hope these state based restrictions start to be wound back and we can start seeing a few more services added.

I believe there were about 20 people on board. Entry into the republic was via a police line that made the LAX CBP staff seem like your beloved grandma. From what I saw, two people denied entry and deported back “down south”.

I guess the good news this week suggests we’ve knocked it on the head, and there’s not really any need to continue with domestic restrictions for significantly longer.

 

[AIRwin]

From what I saw, two people denied

Which airline? What if the aircraft was not turning around?

 

[N860CR]

Which airline? What if the aircraft was not turning around?

Virgin. Good question....

 

[woodborer]

Has anyone done the numbers on this? I did a quick back of envelope calculation, and the airlines seem to be getting quite a bit per flight.

 

[Max Samuels]

Having flown yesterday into the Republic of
Queensland... I can only hope these state based restrictions start to be wound back and we can start seeing a few more services added.

I believe there were about 20 people on board. Entry into the republic was via a police line that made the LAX CBP staff seem like your beloved grandma. From what I saw, two people denied entry and deported back “down south”.

I guess the good news this week suggests we’ve knocked it on the head, and there’s not really any need to continue with domestic restrictions for significantly longer.

What a joke. Can't wait to see the lawsuits that come after.....the gov't hasn't even described what "residency" is for a state... because it is not a concept in Australia. We are citizens of the country, not the state. It is quite possible to have multiple places of resident in many states (as many people here do, I am sure). A driver's license merely is permission to drive a motor vehicle. But in the nanny state that is Australia, one can hold only a single license at any time. If I live 1/3 between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, I am equally a resident in each, but hold a license for only 1 state. All my mail gets sent to a single address (of course), so it is perfectly acceptable that I will not be carrying on my person anything that "proves" I live anywhere. Which is not even required by law.

 

[Max Samuels]

Also.... in happy news.... I just booked a domestic ticket on VA for Sunday.
Breaks my heart that they are going into administration really as a direct action by the federal gov't.... I hope my $$ can keep supporting someone's job for as long as they have one.

To think that ScoMo keeps going on about "it is not the gov't job to bail out companies blah blah blah" when it was him that did it. What a tosser.

 

[jakeseven7]

Also.... in happy news.... I just booked a domestic ticket on VA for Sunday.
Breaks my heart that they are going into administration really as a direct action by the federal gov't.... I hope my $$ can keep supporting someone's job for as long as they have one.

To think that ScoMo keeps going on about "it is not the gov't job to bail out companies blah blah blah" when it was him that did it. What a tosser.

I had no idea the Australian government released Coronavirus! OMG quick call the daily mail!!

 

[N860CR]

I had no idea the Australian government released Coronavirus! OMG quick call the daily mail!!

I’m sure they’d find a way to run it!

But I think the point he was trying to make was that government put these restrictions in place to keep the burden off their underfunded hospitals (which are now subsequently running at less than half capacity) and put it onto businesses like Virgin.

The issue I have is that we’ve allowed premiers to run around like little dictators setting up hard borders like we’re different countries. State health systems are federally funded (don’t get me started on state/federal) so if I have corona, it doesn’t really matter if I go to RPA or a Brisbane/Melbourne hospital. This concept that’s been developed of “comparing states” and not running this as a national process is ridiculous. Yep keep your “social distancing” etc for a little longer, but it shouldn’t be the debacle it is to just go from Sydney to Brisbane as an essential worker!

 

[samh004]

Also.... in happy news.... I just booked a domestic ticket on VA for Sunday.

If they go into administration, will that service even run? Or did you purchase the ticket as a 'donation'?

 

[Mattg]

If they go into administration, will that service even run? Or did you purchase the ticket as a 'donation'?

Looks like the minimum domestic schedule will continue to operate despite voluntary administration.

 

[jakeseven7]

Looks like the minimum domestic schedule will continue to operate despite voluntary administration.

For all 7 people flying right now, they would be brave to book VA during this period!

 

[odysseus]

For all 7 people flying right now, they would be brave to book VA during this period!

It doesn't make any difference to how it was before.

 

[Max Samuels]

I’m sure they’d find a way to run it!

But I think the point he was trying to make was that government put these restrictions in place to keep the burden off their underfunded hospitals (which are now subsequently running at less than half capacity) and put it onto businesses like Virgin.

Obviously he was joking or suffering from post COVID infection which damages the brain's ability to apply logic... it seems to be running rampart....

 

[Max Samuels]

Looks like the minimum domestic schedule will continue to operate despite voluntary administration.

Of course... the gov't is underwriting the domestic network for 8 weeks.... But I will let you all know tomorrow if it actually flies, and if (most importantly) I get J catering since I paid J fare!!!!

If they are blocking all the middle seats in Y, then there is no point to J unless there is catering.

 

[oz_mark]

Of course... the gov't is underwriting the domestic network for 8 weeks.... But I will let you all know tomorrow if it actually flies, and if (most importantly) I get J catering since I paid J fare!!!!

If they are blocking all the middle seats in Y, then there is no point to J unless there is catering.

Are we taking bets on whether there will or won't be catering?

[My bet is that it will be the same as Y]

 

[Max Samuels]

Are we taking bets on whether there will or won't be catering?

[My bet is that it will be the same as Y]

I horribly suspect that - then what is the point of the different fares? Not even discount business. Full business.
But I will let you know.... the fact that no one seems to know means that no one is flying anyway by the sounds of it....

 

[Max Samuels]

I horribly suspect that - then what is the point of the different fares? Not even discount business. Full business.
But I will let you know.... the fact that no one seems to know means that no one is flying anyway by the sounds of it....

Ok.... so there was no catering - the choice of a brownie or beef jerky- yuk. Who on earth would have suggested beef jerky as an option?

But, there was plenty of beer and wine - and with only 1 other pax in J the service was great. Nice crew, just happy to be at work! So I wasn't really that disappointed in the end.

All the planes parked in BNE.... a bit sad :-(