Virgin Australia announces strategic alliance with Singapore Airlines

[docjames]

Will VA now fly to SIN? Or leave it to SQ alone to serve australian ports? It would be nice to see VA fly into SIN on their own metal.

There'd surely be some attractiveness in serving SIN with either a 330 or 777 allowing onward connections on SQ?

 

[milehighclub]

Re: Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia unveil long-term partnership

Its going to take Qantas 12 months or more to start the Malaysian Airlines association, here we have SA/Virgin up and running (subject to Auth.) in Aug. 2011.

Q missed have the boat as this alliance sure will put a cat amongst the pigeons.

There is a big difference between code-sharing and reciprocal benefits, to joining an alliance. MH not only has to work with QF but all other oneworld airlines as well.

Obviously SQ and VA have been working on it prior to today. It would take them more than 3 months, so imagine this has been in the pipeline for a long long time.

 

[Nigelinoz]

If this means that I can book Sydney to London on an SQ A380 codeshare and earn Velocity points then I wonder if I'm alone in seeing this as a slap in the face to VS,I mean if you are planning a UK trip why would you not choose the A380 against a frankly second rate VS product ? (Apart from the difference in fares that is.)
Cheers
N'oz

 

[oz_mark]

If this means that I can book Sydney to London on an SQ A380 codeshare and earn Velocity points then I wonder if I'm alone in seeing this as a slap in the face to VS,I mean if you are planning a UK trip why would you not choose the A380 against a frankly second rate VS product ? (Apart from the difference in fares that is.)
Cheers
N'oz

I'm not so sure that getting to London was the main aim of this alliance - it was about the (mostly South) Asian market. Sure, it allows A380's across to London, but I don't think that was the main game here.

 

[notzac]

If this means that I can book Sydney to London on an SQ A380 codeshare and earn Velocity points then I wonder if I'm alone in seeing this as a slap in the face to VS

You could equally say that it would be a slap in the face to EY ... it would make sense to me that EY will continue to be the preferred partner for European destinations, while SQ will be the preferred partner for Asian destinations. VS doesn't seem to "get" codesharing/interlining ... to this day I still can't buy MEL-LHR on the VS website.

 

[Tooner]

I'm not so sure that getting to London was the main aim of this alliance - it was about the (mostly South) Asian market. Sure, it allows A380's across to London, but I don't think that was the main game here.

I think to get to London you have a lot of choice given the deal with EY, and if you want to got to HK, you're not really going to choose SQ are you? Status points/credits etc will be critical. VS Tier points v Elite miles v DJ status thingies.

Interesting to see what VS does in relation to this - Flying Club is going to look a bit sick against the potential KF and Velocity link. I'm in all three, and have status on the odd man out

 

[browski]

Essentially, Australian based Frequent Flyers want to reduce their spend to 2 FF programs. But currently we use all three: QFF(or AA) and Velocity and Krisflyer (or other Star Alliance program).

With MH going to OW, then Velocity is diminished and QFF is enhanced. With SQ and DJ forming an alliance then both SQ and DJ are enhanced.

My initial thoughts are that you maintain QFF and KrisFlyer account and shelve Velocity - not that Virgin would care because you still fly their product on the domestic Oz legs.

Would others agree with this; or would they shelve Krisflyer?

 

[Nigelinoz]

anat01 has pointed out on Twitter that SQ often don't allow earning on sale fares so that would be a factor but for work related travel even full fare Y would be a good earner as regards Velocity status.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[The Rok]

Re: # Virgin Australia announces strategic alliance with Singapore Airlines

What this does do is open up a whole new world of travel for thos of us living in Perth.

Now I can book a VA flight from Perth with SQ to SIN and onto LHR without the coughpy hassle of going via MEL or SYD.

I can see myself taking more trips to Europe.

 

[LiamR]

Re: # Virgin Australia announces strategic alliance with Singapore Airlines

The way I see it, this has many benefits, for the pax, but more importantly for VA.

SQ will sponsor VA if they wish to join Star Alliance.

But what will be interesting, is if VA start flying some of their A330's directly into SIN.

I could imagine SQ being keen to pull out on the BNE/ADL/PER -SIN sectors, as everytime I've flown them, they are always empty. Leaving them more time to focus on the SYD/MEL, with Virgin supporting them other destinations around the country.

Not to mention, what a slap in the face this is for Qantas.

I'll be interesting to see how Etihad respond to this. Wouldn't suprise me if VA don't sell codeshares to Europe, making SQ an Asian only partner.

Looks like things are really starting to heat up.

Sunday - Platinum
Monday - Improved SC Earning System
Tuesday - Codeshare with SQ
Wednesday - Star Alliance?

 

[oz_mark]

Would others agree with this; or would they shelve Krisflyer?

I'm going to wait and see how the various fare buckets credit in different scenarios, however, my initial thought is to consolidate to Velocity. Now I just need to get some status on it!

(I have silver on MH, but I think I will be giving that away and just going to QFF, but wait and see again!)

 

[Misha]

Re: # Virgin Australia announces strategic alliance with Singapore Airlines

I'm not so sure that getting to London was the main aim of this alliance - it was about the (mostly South) Asian market. Sure, it allows A380's across to London, but I don't think that was the main game here.

This fantastic alliance (almost a Star alliance isn't it people?) :mrgreen: is certainly about the Asian market - and VA have been talking about this desire for a while - which has been a catalyst for much conjecture on this forum.... but it is inevitable that people will look at those options: SYD - LHR on an A380, etc. Singapore, whilst being a great Asian carrier, also has been known for years in Australia as one of the great airlines to get to Europe by.

I still believe that Etihad will be as has been stated here 'preferred provider (pp)' for Europe, as is Delta pp in NA, NZ pp in the South, but Singapore (Asian pp) will probably take away some of those potential customers: but it is still win/win for Virgin Australia, and certainly for her customers.

Even though this rebranding has been about using the international recognition of Virgin for our little DJ, and making it a truly global/competetive airline for Australian pax - I wonder where Virgin Atlantic fall within all of this??? Either they are soon to be swept under the rug (strange as the name alone suggests the strongest of ties) or can we expect some big news some time soon about Virgin Atlantic.... may they even drop flying in this side of the world altogether?....

Hmmmm I want the super-duper-mega-family-sized box of popcorn thanks.... and this wouldn't be worth watching without some maltezers....

 

[Nigelinoz]

http://www.aviationrecord.com/FC/FCnews/Singapore,-Virgin-Australia-to-team-up-1108.aspx

Qantas can be expected to launch an impassioned lobby against the alliance, having aggressively fought against any proposal from Singapore Airlines to expand its operations to and from Australia in the past. Qantas claims Singapore Airlines operates with government subsidies on an uneven commercial playing field, an argument subscribed to by few other international carriers facing competition from Singapore.

Oh yeah I can't see QF letting this one get away without a fight :!:
Cheers
N'oz

 

[Misha]

But what will be interesting, is if VA start flying some of their A330's directly into SIN.

I'll be interesting to see how Etihad respond to this. Wouldn't suprise me if VA don't sell codeshares to Europe, making SQ an Asian only partner.

Looks like things are really starting to heat up.

Sunday - Platinum
Monday - Improved SC Earning System
Tuesday - Codeshare with SQ
Wednesday - Star Alliance?

Liam you took some of my thoughts straight from my head. Does anyone remember a few weeks back about JB hinting that the next A330s could even be flying in Asia - boom boom! VA flights to SIN.

To avoid offending EY, SIN flights will be codeshared around the region, but not necessarily further afield??? (we must be long lost brothers?!)

Finally - I don't think Wednesday about any Star Alliance announcement - though interesting to see what this announcement is on 14th June for some AFFers re: Velocity Rewards' post? :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen: Five members - five points on a STAR?

 

[leemin]

I'm going to wait and see how the various fare buckets credit in different scenarios, however, my initial thought is to consolidate to Velocity. Now I just need to get some status on it!

(I have silver on MH, but I think I will be giving that away and just going to QFF, but wait and see again!)

Although I will do some more research on KrisFlyer first, my initial thoughts are the same. With increasing numbers of airline partners (from various alliances) with reciprocal lounge benefits as well as points and SC, I think it would be best to consolidate with DJ than attempt to do the same with SQ or spread across multiple programs.

 

[777]

Oh yeah I can't see QF letting this one get away without a fight

From a competition perspective it's hardly likely to be blocked as neither airline competes on any routes. I'm sure QF will do everything they can to stop VA eating their market BUT they lost their best opportunity to do that when they hired the nuff nuff Joyce and let Borghetti walk out the door.

 

[yohy?!]

Will VA now fly to SIN? Or leave it to SQ alone to serve australian ports? It would be nice to see VA fly into SIN on their own metal.

There'd surely be some attractiveness in serving SIN with either a 330 or 777 allowing onward connections on SQ?

I've heard mumurs from VA cabin crew that they expect SIN to be added next year to their network. Also this would fit with JB's evasive responses to what the 2 new A330s will be up to when they arrive.

 

[TonyHancock]

I'm struggling to keep up with it all! :shock:

Too much going on at the moment. I'm looking forward to the dust settling a little.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Re: # Virgin Australia announces strategic alliance with Singapore Airlines

SQ will sponsor VA if they wish to join Star Alliance.

Not quite that simple! The existing members of each alliance have to approve new members. I can't see any way in which United would agree to VA - with its much-publicised and hard-won deal with Delta - joining Star.

VA's choice of a partnership with DL pretty much rules out Star Alliance membership. The deal with DL would need to be torn up, and I think VA put too much blood, sweat and tears into getting it to do that.

 

[Kendall Roy]

R.I.P. QANTAS

Pretty much what I was about to say. RIP QF International