Virgin Blue embarks on brand overhaul

[pshepvic]

More ridiculous than Qantas, Qantaslink, Jetconnect, Jetstar etc etc?

To most ppl I think Virgin is Virgin if you are flying to Sydney, Abu Dhabi, Auckland or Samoa

Except that:
- Jetstar is operated as a completely separate brand, separate website, totally different product, and dis-associated with Qantas where ever possible
- Jetconnect is a separate company but operates as Qantas, with the same aircraft, livery, QF flight numbers, booked throughout the same website, and for all intensive purposes is pretty much Qantas
- Qantaslink still contains the Qantas name, has QF flight numbers, booked through same website, same logo - so still consistent to the brand - similar to the way AA has American Eagle, except they pay their pilots more

Whereas Virgin:
- 4 brands, only one of which contains the Virgin name
- 3 booked through one website, 1 through another (VA)
- 3 with 1 type of livery on the aircraft, 1 with another (VA)
- No clear alliance with any particular group of airlines - codeshares with Delta but not VX, but does have interline with VX, but can't do a RTW routing with VX and VS, and then just a mish mash of other airlines
- And don't Pacific Blue and VA even service the same destinations in some cases??

Now that's ridiculous!

 

[yohy?!]

My point is that neither brand is particularly clear in it's identities

Except that:
- Jetstar is operated as a completely separate brand, separate website, totally different product, and dis-associated with Qantas where ever possible

Except that both JQ and QF codeshare and sell each other's flights and their websites are integrated for QFF purposes. As well as the huge 'QantasGroup Airline' logo on every plane and the swapping and sharing of A330s right down to the new J cabins which masquerade as QF Domestic Business in a Starclass format.

Whereas Virgin:
- 4 brands, only one of which contains the Virgin name
- 3 booked through one website, 1 through another (VA)
- 3 with 1 type of livery on the aircraft, 1 with another (VA)

Don't worry I think it will get easier for you shortly

- No clear alliance with any particular group of airlines - codeshares with Delta but not VX, but does have interline with VX, but can't do a RTW routing with VX and VS, and then just a mish mash of other airlines

What about Etihad and Air NZ as well Delta (maybe)? They will shortly be operating as JVs with DJ.

I don't think VX is really such huge loss is it - more time for YUPs in the states anyways

QF sell codeshares from easily a far larger 'mish mash' of airlines that are not part of OW anyway.

- And don't Pacific Blue and VA even service the same destinations in some cases??

No, not really - maybe indirectly for a limited time ie SYD-PER-HKT vs SYD-HKT but that will end when VA focuses on Abu Dhabi next month.

 

[brissyflyer]

Hmm, I'm flying in the afternoon of the 23rd so will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[medhead]

- No clear alliance with any particular group of airlines - codeshares with Delta but not VX, but does have interline with VX, but can't do a RTW routing with VX and VS, and then just a mish mash of other airlines

I'm still trying to work out what alliance has to do with the brand issue that you raised. no clear brand due to not having an alliance?

 

[antycbr]

- 3 booked through one website, 1 through another (VA)

Side effect of V Australia using Amadeus and Virgin Blue/Pac Blue/Poly Blue using Navitaire. I'm hoping/thinking that at some point in the future the group will need to pick one reservation system - as there's more codeshares, interlines, air pass products, etc etc Amadeus starts to look a lot better than Navitaire, but I'm guessing the cost per booking is significantly more for Amadeus.

 

[Dee Thom]

I'm flying Pacific Blue on the 24th so I'll be sure to grab some snaps

If the Captain and F/O have new uniforms, could you ask them for their brown 'Bomber Jackets' for me, Lurve that gear !!!!!!

Cheers Dee

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Side effect of V Australia using Amadeus and Virgin Blue/Pac Blue/Poly Blue using Navitaire. I'm hoping/thinking that at some point in the future the group will need to pick one reservation system - as there's more codeshares, interlines, air pass products, etc etc Amadeus starts to look a lot better than Navitaire, but I'm guessing the cost per booking is significantly more for Amadeus.

i once talked to someone from Amadeus. Obviously there is the transition cost of switching systems, but also DJ have some kind of contract with Navitaire, which may not have run out yet (it hadn't at the time of talking to the person - but that was a while back).

 

[JohnK]

Where is our resident AFF expert on DJ new uniforms and launch dates?

She is probably not allowed to reveal any information!

 

[striking]

I was on a flight BNE to SYD earlier this week and the safety demonstration was done vie a recording referred to as "Betty"

Could this be a trial? I don't recall ever hearing this before.

 

[Justchecking]

I was on a flight BNE to SYD earlier this week and the safety demonstration was done vie a recording referred to as "Betty"

Could this be a trial? I don't recall ever hearing this before.

Must be because I've never heard of it either.

 

[DSFlyer]

I was on a flight BNE to SYD earlier this week and the safety demonstration was done vie a recording referred to as "Betty"

Could this be a trial? I don't recall ever hearing this before.

I was on a Bne to Syd flight just over a week ago and they played the recorded safety demonstration however on the return flight the same day it was back to flight attendants talking through the demo

 

[dk4]

... DJ new uniforms ...

It's probably possible to guess? ...given the colour scheme for their new "dream pack".



Or the galactic future for Virgin flight...

Black & White - with a space helmet instead of the more traditional "hostie hats"?

 

[AaronBradford]

Ooh, I do like that

 

[striking]

Hmmm,

On my return flight for the week SYD-BNE the first row had the middle seat tray tables down with bottles of water and nice new headphone in a zippable case. possibly noise cancelling?

I didn't get a picture but the colour scheme was black with red writing... again? a sign of things to come?

 

[dk4]

...I didn't get a picture but the colour scheme was black with red writing... again? a sign of things to come?

Was it these?

...possibly noise cancelling?

If as pictured, then no active noise cancelling.

 

[striking]

Yep,

That was them - Shame about the no noise cancelling...

 

[drewbles]

Yep,

That was them - Shame about the no noise cancelling...

Probably not as bad as you think. I have a pair of Senheiser in-ear buds like this. Whilst not true noise-cancelling, they are noise-isolating. I find them excellent for in-flight use.

Whilst I love noise cancelling headphones, I hate the bulkiness of most of them, and the fact they rely on batteries. The in-ear buds are a good trade off for me (unless I'm in J/F then i'll happily avail myself of the provided noise cancelling ones; most my miles are done in the back of the bus though).

 

[ishkaban]

have been told the cabin crew will be wearing their new uniforms from 23rd feb,can't wait to see what they look like !

So it turns out there will be a launch of new uniforms on the 23rd Feb at Westfield Sydney, along with half Financial year results

 

[Dee Thom]

VBA shares have dropped to 0.385 cents this morning, could mean a lower than expected profit for them, or that some investors are a bit wary of VBA's product overhall.
Me, I'd buy 10'000 shares for the longhaul ( 12months) if I had the cash.

Cheers Dee.

 

[The Rok]

I was on a Bne to Syd flight just over a week ago and they played the recorded safety demonstration however on the return flight the same day it was back to flight attendants talking through the demo

Virgin Atlantic have done recorded afety videos for years....