Virgin Australia to lease more 737s

[jakeseven7]

Aren't the A320's much better in the heat compared to 737's?

Yes.

But maybe the complexity of managing mixed fleet types outweighs this for VA2.

 

[jase05]

Yes.

But maybe the complexity of managing mixed fleet types outweighs this for VA2.

The A320’s are generally better for freight too and that is often a consideration

 

[HS-TQE]

Yes.

But maybe the complexity of managing mixed fleet types outweighs this for VA2.

Also helps that VA 2.0 has 2 AOCs - Mainline and Regional.

Mainline gets 738s and 73M-8s (one fleet type), and Regional has the dual (single class) 73G and A320 fleet.

The 2 73Gs currently in the mainline fleet should logically be moved across to WA under the Regional AOC (and reconfigured into all-Y with EconomyX in line with the rumoured ex-KLM units).

 

[Saab34]

The -700s are only really used intra QLD, both seem to be BNE based.

-800 might be too big for those routes.

 

[Obzerva]

The -700s are only really used intra QLD, both seem to be BNE based.

-800 might be too big for those routes.

A quick check over the last 2 weeks shows on FlightRadar24 shows predominantly intra Qld with a few BNE-ADL, BNE-CBR, and BNELST thrown in.

Agree I think there's a place for the -700 in the mainline fleet.

 

[Bagpuss]

I'm wondering if the -700's will feature business class, though they are heading to VARA.
My expectation is yes as they would use them on the commercial services and the A320's more for charters which would be A320 economy only.

 

[henrus]

I'm wondering if the -700's will feature business class, though they are heading to VARA.

Unlikely, there is no need for them to have business class just to operate on commercial services either. The A320's and current fokkers operate commercial services all the time without business class.

 

[Bagpuss]

Unlikely, there is no need for them to have business class just to operate on commercial services either. The A320's and current fokkers operate commercial services all the time without business class.

My thinking is that they will likely utilize the -700's in WA instead of using -800's.

I actually find it pretty poor that Perth <> Darwin, Perth <> Adelaide operates mainly with A320's and no business class.

 

[HS-TQE]

Unlikely, there is no need for them to have business class just to operate on commercial services either. The A320's and current fokkers operate commercial services all the time without business class.

Which raises the question of the two existing 73Gs, and whether they'll be moved to VARA (and subsequently reconfigured to all Y).

Perhaps VARA may (re?)open a BNE base (aircraft rotated on BNE-PER runs) to operate all-Y intra-Qld and thin interstate runs for a handful of aircraft (say 4 aircraft) mostly during off-peak?

 

[Bagpuss]

Which raises the question of the two existing 73Gs, and whether they'll be moved to VARA (and subsequently reconfigured to all Y).

Perhaps VARA may (re?)open a BNE base (aircraft rotated on BNE-PER runs) to operate all-Y intra-Qld and thin interstate runs for a handful of aircraft (say 4 aircraft) mostly during off-peak?

Make sense. However an all economy BNE - PER flight seems like handing business travelers over to the competition, plus Rex would jump too as they are joining forces with Delta. (Which makes some sense to fly to Perth at some stage as they have a base if they can get the numbers.)

NOTE: You say off peak. However every BNE <> PER flight is always full in business. Well the entire plane normally atm.

 

[HS-TQE]

Make sense. However an all economy BNE - PER flight seems like handing business travelers over to the competition, plus Rex would jump too as they are joining forces with Delta. (Which makes some sense to fly to Perth at some stage as they have a base if they can get the numbers.)

NOTE: You say off peak. However every BNE <> PER flight is always full in business. Well the entire plane normally atm.

What would be the Saturday and Sunday loads (BNE-PER) in J would be like? I was thinking of those days where the 73Gs could be rotated back and forth.
Mon-Fri of course would naturally have higher/near full J occupancy.

Another question would be would the Sat/Sun BNE-PER J occupancy would be mainly redemptions?

 

[Must...Fly!]

VA used to run the A330 PER-BNE-PER rotation on a Friday and a Sunday.

 

[Bagpuss]

VA used to run the A330 PER-BNE-PER rotation on a Friday and a Sunday.

Correct.

There's a big difference between the A330 and an A320.

I did VA470 from Brisbane to Perth a number of times on a Sunday and always recall is was fairly if not full.

I only did the A330 from Perth to Brisbane once a Saturday and don't recall it being quiet.

As a passenger no idea how many were redemption's. Remember on a 737 out of 8 seats, 2 are redemption. (Recently on a near full flight 2 crew were Paxing in business class. As I was on a redemption that's 50% of "revenue" passengers )

The rotatation was actually (during season) BNE - PER - BNE - NAN - BNE - PER (with the last being VA470 on Sunday)

 

[MooTime]

Remember on a 737 out of 8 seats, 2 are redemption.

Just this past week I scooped 3 reward J seats on a PER-MEL for January 2023.

I've found this before, but it's very rare so they're are some flights where VA releases 3 instead of regular 2.

 

[Obzerva]

My thinking is that they will likely utilize the -700's in WA instead of using -800's.

I actually find it pretty poor that Perth <> Darwin, Perth <> Adelaide operates mainly with A320's and no business class.

I think VA has always struggled on PER-ADL to a degree.
Their schedule isn't as strong as QF, which means less likely to attract business traffic, and that's without taking in any corporate contracts they had.

From a business perspective I can definitely see the logic in why PER-ADL has A320s operating it. Horses for courses.

 

[Must...Fly!]

It makes sense on weekends as there is less business traffic and the A320s are far less utilised than during the week when they are up at places like Barimunya, Boolgeeda, Argyle, West Angelas etc

 

[HS-TQE]

ADL-PER at one point from what I recall was operated by VARA's F100s.

Although yes, to some extent if the 73Gs (including the existing 2 73Gs in the mainline fleet) were to move to WA/PER as part of VARA, Sat and/or Sun would seem to be the ideal days to rotate the 73Gs between the BNE and PER hubs if they were to base 2-3 73Gs in Queensland for the thin intra-state and interstate leisure routes out of BNE.

Considering that J demand on the existing 73G thin routes out of BNE wouldn't be that high.

 

[jase05]

ADL-PER at one point from what I recall was operated by VARA's F100s.

Although yes, to some extent if the 73Gs (including the existing 2 73Gs in the mainline fleet) were to move to WA/PER as part of VARA, Sat and/or Sun would seem to be the ideal days to rotate the 73Gs between the BNE and PER hubs if they were to base 2-3 73Gs in Queensland for the thin intra-state and interstate leisure routes out of BNE.

Considering that J demand on the existing 73G thin routes out of BNE wouldn't be that high.

Yes, ADL-PER copped the F100’s and hence we avoided flying with VA to PER. In the good old days we would often do ADL-MEL/SYD and pick up the A330 to PER

 

[Carrots]

ADL - PER used to mostly seem to cop the F100s on weekends pre covid, although now that's obviously changed to the A320, but they do seem to be appearing most days rather than just weekends now.

 

[Saab34]

Do these A320s still carry the Tiger interior (180Y?)

I note the last two just added to the fleet last month are not that old.