Virgin Australia flights to Doha now on sale

[RealtimeY]

That's the QR codeshare of the VA flight operated by QR.

It just echoes comments above about this largely being an expansion for QR, given that their pricing appears to be sharper, and the average customer booking on an OTA just wants the best price and won't really understand/care for the VA part.

 

[BrianQQ]

That's the QR codeshare of the VA flight operated by QR.

It just echoes comments above about this largely being an expansion for QR, given that their pricing appears to be sharper, and the average customer booking on an OTA just wants the best price and won't really understand/care for the VA part.

You wouldn't be able to get QF lounge access if you book via QR right?

 

[Princess Fiona]

You wouldn't be able to get QF lounge access if you book via QR right?

You won’t get QF lounge access in either case booking these wet lease flights.

 

[simmomelb]

Isn't the purpose of this to book VA codes, i.e. VA1/VA2 or the QR flights with VA numbers? Your quote there is just QR

They not wet leased flights? Both state "for Virgin Australia" for the DOH-SYD leg in both directions.

 

[HS-TQE]

They are technically not "Oneworld" flights thus you won't get Oneworld affiliated airlines lounge access if you book the QR codeshare on the VA-coded wetlease flight on QR metal.

QR crews on the wetlease flights also use VA callsigns on the ATC (i.e "Velocity XX in Qatar Colours").

 

[justinbrett]

They not wet leased flights? Both state "for Virgin Australia" for the DOH-SYD leg in both directions.

They are QR codeshares on the VA wet leased flights, on a QR ticket. Really not much to do with VA at all (and will be using QR fares, not VA's).

You wouldn't be able to get QF lounge access if you book via QR right?

Book on the non VA flights and you will. QF members will get status perks on QR also (including DOH lounge access). Nothing for the VA flights.

 

[SYD]

Book on the non VA flights and you will. QF members will get status perks on QR also (including DOH lounge access). Nothing for the VA flights.

I’m waiting for the howls when OW peeps start booking these QR codeshares on VA flights and don’t get OW lounge access, points and SCs… Unless they’re a QR member (as well as VA).

 

[Bagpuss]

I’m waiting for the howls when OW peeps start booking these QR codeshares on VA flights and don’t get OW lounge access, points and SCs… Unless they’re a QR member (as well as VA).

Doubtful. I expect the only OW carrier code-sharing is QR and you'd know that from the flight number. It wont be subjected to OW availability.

No different than knowing Emirates is a partner of Qantas and not a member of OW.

 

[MooTime]

Doubtful. I expect the only OW carrier code-sharing is QR and you'd know that from the flight number. It wont be subjected to OW availability.

No different than knowing Emirates is a partner of Qantas and not a member of OW.

But QR are one world yet EK isn't.

 

[simmomelb]

I really don't know why so many are obsessed with this. It's clearly stated on the VA website what lounges you'll have access to, end of story.
It doesn't matter who is wet leasing to them.
Secondly, who cares? A lounge will be provided.

 

[justinbrett]

Doubtful. I expect the only OW carrier code-sharing is QR and you'd know that from the flight number. It wont be subjected to OW availability.

No different than knowing Emirates is a partner of Qantas and not a member of OW.

But there's no QF coded flights flying with QF aircraft but operated by EK.

One would normally assume if you're flying a oneworld code on a oneworld aircraft it would be a oneworld flight - this will be a rare exception. Can't think of any other examples (though I'm sure there's some).

I really don't know why so many are obsessed with this. It's clearly stated on the VA website what lounges you'll have access to, end of story.
It doesn't matter who is wet leasing to them.
Secondly, who cares? A lounge will be provided.

The confusion (if any) would only be those booking with QR. If you book with VA then I think it's clear what you're getting into.

And the QR website shows the VA flights with the VA tails, so even then I think fair warning has been given. If it shows on BA/IB etc with QR tails that's another matter.

I still don't know how the QR/BA/IB JV is going to work simultaneously with the QR/VA JV.

 

[SYD]

I really don't know why so many are obsessed with this. It's clearly stated on the VA website what lounges you'll have access to, end of story.
It doesn't matter who is wet leasing to them.
Secondly, who cares? A lounge will be provided.

Not in whY (whatever that is).

 

[SYD]

Doubtful. I expect the only OW carrier code-sharing is QR and you'd know that from the flight number. It wont be subjected to OW availability.

Even after 10yrs? There are still reports here of peeps complaining about not getting SCs booking direct with EK….

Most of us know better.

 

[Himeno]

The application to IASC for the DOH flights had no other submissions for capacity.
IASC is now asking for submissions about the proposal to give VA the capacity.

Invitation for submissions

Section 12(1)(b) of the IASC Act requires the Commission to invite submissions about the proposed allocation of capacity, if the International Air Services Regulations 2018 (the Regulations) so require. The Commission did not receive any other applications for capacity. However, regulation 7(b) of the Regulations requires the Commission to invite submissions if it considers that, if the capacity were to be allocated to an Australian carrier:

1. a restriction could be imposed on the carrier under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 preventing the carrier using that capacity; or
2. the carrier may not be able to obtain an approval or licence (however described) that is necessary to use that capacity; or
3. for any other reason, the carrier may not reasonably be capable of using that capacity.

The Commission notes that as part of its application for capacity, Virgin Australia is seeking approval to utilise the proposed capacity allocation to offer code share services with Qatar Airways on the Australia-Qatar route. The Commission further notes that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (the ACCC) is considering an application made by Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways seeking authorisation to engage in conduct that requires approval under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. The Commission notes that in its application to the ACCC, Virgin Australia has indicated that without the proposed conduct being approved by the ACCC, the carrier would not be able to viably commence the services between Australia and Doha.

Therefore, as required by section 12(1)(b) of the Act, and in accordance with regulation 7(b) of the Regulations, the Commission invites submissions about Virgin Australia’s application for capacity.

In light of the upcoming holiday period, the closing date for making a submission is 16 January 2025. If you are intending to make a submission, please inform the Director of the Commission, by email (at [email protected]) as soon as possible.

 

[SCM]

NSDan video landed a week ago about the inconsistencies in QR J product.

I really agree with this, and what puzzles me is instead of making efforts to improve the situation, they are actually beginning to fracture their soft product as well with caviar on only some specific certain routes....

To me it seems disingenuous, as they aim to do "the bare minimum" for marketing reasons, while essentially saving money on the majority of routes, while advertising only their best product - which statistically speaking you won't get, and even if you do all the research could still get a dodgy equipment swap.

I think in the future, once they get all their 350s and once they get the 777Xs (who knows when), eventually they will far a lot more commonality than now, but I think that's a better part of a decade away.

The really smart thing to do would be to start a programme to retrofit all A350s with qsuites. Then make sure all 777Xs have it, and they will be in a much better position.