Virgin Blue A330 J class, ATR and new uniform details

[oz_mark]

I must have missed previous discussions. What is the push with the PER market anyway? Is the mining boom that important to revenue and market share?

Lots of high yield customers, fairly long sectors. Even QF have been doing things on PER for a while - alcohol from lunch time, two meal choices in Y etc.

I'm quite interested in which airline(s) they will partner with is Asia. Depending on which airlines, it will either be good for me, or be just like it is now.

 

[oz_mark]

Rumour in the pipeline was that IFE was going to be VA's award winning RED system from Panasonic. I wonder if they would combine that with L2A (i.e. you can watch live TV as another option on your IFE), and whether it would be pay-for-use as is now or complimentary.

L2A is pretty much gone, and I know RED was the favourite, although there was a whisper that there were some liensing issues with it. We will have to wait and see what it is

 

[Oneworldplus2]

If JQ joins OW, they should open up lounges to OW members, or one hopes so.....

 

[oz_mark]

If JQ joins OW, they should open up lounges to OW members, or one hopes so.....

Can't imagine JQ joining OW anytime soon.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

No worries. I'll keep my opinions to myself from now on Mark.

 

[oz_mark]

No worries. I'll keep my opinions to myself from now on Mark.

Ther's nothing wrong with having an opinion. It's just my opinion that its not going to happen!

 

[pshepvic]

More interested in changes to Velocity and possible global alliance memberships.

I'm definitely more interested in Velocity changes as well, except there was a subtly worded statement in the report that indicated they would be going down the path of more partnerships rather than joining an alliance - can't remember what page it was but will look it up later

 

[SeaWolf]

It's on page 18. I gotta confess that I was a little disappointed to see it, but it's just a single bullet point on a presentation, so who knows what the future holds?

 

[JohnK]

I'm definitely more interested in Velocity changes as well, except there was a subtly worded statement in the report that indicated they would be going down the path of more partnerships rather than joining an alliance - can't remember what page it was but will look it up later

I don't know what the future will hold but I am extremely disappointed with all the hype generated before these changes and it is now a huge huge let down.

Sorry if I don't care about business class product and new uniforms. Oh and I cannot get too excited about ATR's either. Possibly not going to happen but I would hate to book a flight on a 737 and then have it swapped to an ATR.

The only thing that will make me consider DJ in future is drastic changes to Velocity and a global alliance. Not interested in individual airline partnerships. But I am only one person and as long as they keep a few people happy then perhaps the latest changes will be a success.

 

[dk4]

So is the likely state of play, Virgin scheduling a few transcon services with a reupholstered version of this -

Photos: Airbus A330-243 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

With Qantas likely to (at least) match Virgin’s schedules with this -

Photos: Airbus A330-303 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

 

[loobloke]

dk4

Have you even looked at the pictures? Also it has been reported to be a 2-2-2 configuration.

So in reality, nothing really like the EK photo you posted.

Try be a bit more informed please. It's all already here.

 

[SeaWolf]

So is the likely state of play, Virgin scheduling a few transcon services with a reupholstered version of this -

No, it'll be nothing like that at all, it's going to be a total refit on the interior. If you go here:
VIRGIN BLUE HOLDINGS LIMITED (VBA) - ASX Listed Company Information Fact Sheet
Have a look at CEO Presentation for Half Year ended 31 December 2010 which has some photos of what it will look like.

EDIT: Found a direct link to the photos:
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/2011/02/23/virgin-blues-new-product-as-partly-illustrated/

 

[Virgin Australia]

Good to see DJ going at the right direction. Hopefully we all actually try out DJ J rather than waiting for QF to lower their QF J prices!

Now there's a thought!

 

[anat0l]

Any word when the new J seats will be available for purchase / redemption with Velocity points?

 

[dk4]

Hopefully we all actually try out DJ J rather than waiting for QF to lower their QF J prices!

Things could get complicated if Jetstar prices this into the mix –

Photos: Airbus A330-202 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

 

[Virgin Australia]

Any word when the new J seats will be available for purchase / redemption with Velocity points?

You know that we'll let you know, as soon as we know that we can let you know.

(strangely that sentence actually makes sense!)

 

[loobloke]

@Oneworldplus2

Unfortunately part of not being able to post images means I can't send pms either. Even though I can receive!

Quoted from the Australian Aviation article who anatol kindly linked in post 47...

The airline will offer its first domestic business class on the aircraft, featuring six-abreast 62in pitch leather seats with seatback IFE and a range of what the airline describes as “high quality food options.”

So not that excellent JQ config that everyone has so dearly been waiting for.

 

[pshepvic]

You know that we'll let you know, as soon as we know that we can let you know

C'mon, you can tell us! Promise we won't tell ...

 

[anat0l]

You know that we'll let you know, as soon as we know that we can let you know.

(strangely that sentence actually makes sense!)

Right, so the answer is you don't know.

Fair enough - we shall wait. Look forward to finding out what the points cost will be to cross the country in DJ style...

 

[Virgin Australia]

Right, so the answer is you don't know.

So you DID pick up on that!!

Wonder which lucky AFF will make it on that inaugural flight.....