Virgin Blue embarks on brand overhaul

[medhead]

I've been noticing quite a bit of complimentary Live2Air lately, I'm not sure what the pattern for getting that is though.

I've only got free live2air when the flight is delayed.

 

[Globetrotter]

I've only got free live2air when the flight is delayed.

Same here and often it was given for minor delays but hey, who's complaining? Not me!

 

[samh004]

Virgin Blue just posted something interesting to their Facebook page:

Anyone here know what it's all about?

Some are suggesting on Facebook that they're launching a new menu tomorrow. Maybe free snacks too similar to what other LCC offer overseas!

More than likely to be the new menu, considering a member of the cabin crew was eager to say it looked good last time I flew.

 

[777]

My money's on the menu. Can't see what else they could swap out and in overnight.

As for LTA, it's recently been free if the flight is delayed. For a while they seemed to offer it if the delay was 15min or more but more recently they've been offering it for pretty much any delay.

 

[oz_mark]

I will go with the menu's as well. I understand that the Luke Mangan tie up is being announced officially as well.

 

[DSFlyer]

I am flying Perth back to Brisbane tomorrow morning so will update later tomorrow

 

[scibo10]

In addition to this, www.virginaustralia.com.au which was, until last night, the Easyrider website owned by Virgin Australia Pty Ltd, a company unrelated to Virgin Blue, is now offline indicating that Virgin Blue got what they wanted through the courts, naming rights to Virgin Australia. So there we go, the decision is made for me and the new name for Virgin Blue will be Virgin Australia and I believe it will be announced next week at a Sydney press conference

Wonder if Globetrooper's post on 3 March is right on the money? Even if the new name is not announced tomorrow, I'd imagine that its not too far off. I can't see them taking advantage of their AFL and Gold Coast Suns sponsorship this week with a heavy advertising campaign under the Virgin Blue name, when this is going to change within 100 or so days. Nor can I see them doing nothing, epecially with the ever increasing QF Business class ads and incessant red-e-deal emails lately

Have to agree the marketing of this is quite ingenious, albeit completely frustrating...

 

[SeaWolf]

As for LTA, it's recently been free if the flight is delayed. For a while they seemed to offer it if the delay was 15min or more but more recently they've been offering it for pretty much any delay.

Hmm, yeah, that would seem to make sense with what I've been seeing, although in pretty much every case the delay was so small that I wouldn't have even noticed it if I hadn't checked FlightStats afterwards and we always made up the time and arrived either on time or early.

Not that I'm a huge fan of Live2Air, I tend to prefer to pack my laptop with movies and TV and watch that instead. However if I wasn't carting the laptop around with me all over the planet I think free Live2Air would be very nice on my PER<->SYD and PER<->MEL trips.

 

[DJ332]

Everyone seems pretty certain on Virgin Australia as the new, unified name for Virgin Blue, Pacific Blue and V Australia, with the website appearing to be sorted and Hans Hulsbosch basically confirming that while Blue is being dropped, Virgin will stay. But what about the other affiliated companies? I'm guessing Polynesian Blue will retain its name considering it is such a small part of the group, but what about Velocity Rewards? Personally I think a new name could really strengthen the program - a lot of folk wouldn't have any idea what it is, as the name doesn't really tie in with the Virgin branding and certainly doesn't suggest it's a frequent flyer program. What about Blue Holidays? Or The Lounge? I certainly think something less generic would work better with the Lounge. Thoughts?

I wouldn't mind if Virgin decided to retain the Baggage Blues counter, however. So much more clever than 'Baggage Services' haha.....

 

[Globetrotter]

Re new name for Velocity.

I wonder if they adopt Flying Club as per Virgin Atlantic's program name or Elevate, the program name of Virgin America. I prefer the latter.

 

[777]

Well there's a report on Facebook about the Banana bread being delicious this morning. I assume that means a new menu. Can anyone confirm?

 

[docjames]

VB website still showing old menu.....

 

[PerpetualMotion]

My prediction is that Virgin will go upmarket. Simply because nobody is catering for business/premium travellers in Australia properly. There is now a yawning gap of profitable customers who want a premium product in this market. It has been left to Qantas and they're doing everything they can to shed their Platinum ff customers as quickly as possible. A nice lounge in Sydney and Melbourne doesn't really cut the mustard when you now have to check your own bags in, travel on aircraft that are too old, endure AVOD systems that pack up half the time, never have your emails or letters responded to and pay a hefty price for what is increasingly a very ordinary product. Surely Vigin Blue has seen the signs and their partnership with Etihad, their V Australia product and their statements about attracting business travellers are part of a grand plan. I'm staggered Qantas is making it so easy for them. I'm glad I'm no longer a shareholder. All Virgin Blue has to do is keep their promises, they can call themselves whatever they like and paint their aircraft anyway they see fit. They just need to be consistent, something Qantas has enormous trouble with.

 

[AaronBradford]

My prediction is that Virgin will go upmarket.

That's pretty much what they've already announced.

Welcome to AFF.

 

[777]

New Menu

Is up on the DJ web site:

Virgin Blue

New selections by Virgin Blue's celebrity chef Luke Mangan.

 

[oz_mark]

VB website still showing old menu.....

Seems to be a new menu there now.

Looks a lot better. But the taste test will ne needed!

 

[777]

I do note some hefty price rises.

For example they are selling spirits rather than premix (good move) but the mixers are separate. So a G&T goes from $7 to $10.

The premium panini is a fair bit more expensive than the old sandwiches. There does appear to still be some value options but will be interesting to see how folks react.

 

[stuartfaz]

$15 for a pie and beer?

I don't care if the pie is made by Luke Mangan. There's no excuse for that unless it's actually made of Luke Mangan.

 

[pshepvic]

Why do we need a celebrity chef to endorse a whole heap of stuff that still comes out of a packet?

Apart from a couple of paninis (and pretty much every cafe in Melbourne has similar sort of things, so you don't have to be a genius to work out a combination of ingredients to stick between bread) what else has the chef really "created"?

At least on QF J, when they say it is "designed by Neil Perry", there are sometimes elements of creativity and class.

I'm not saying I don't like the new menu, it is definitely an improvement (as seeing as my company will be paying for my meals on the flight, I'm not too concerned about the cost). However, I don't think there is a need for a celebrity endorsement until they offer proper J class service and food.

 

[stuartfaz]

Apart from a couple of paninis (and pretty much every cafe in Melbourne has similar sort of things, so you don't have to be a genius to work out a combination of ingredients to stick between bread) what else has the chef really "created"?

I hear the Luke Mangan-designed M&Ms will blow your mind.