Virgin Blue embarks on brand overhaul

[pshepvic]

Saw my first ever QF DOM J ad on tv last night! Had a chuckle to myself, they must be feeling at least a little threatened by Virgin.

I've seen a few over the last 3-4 months now, we even have them on the TV's in the lifts at work!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Mian thing for me is if they can get a *A membership going. If so it will be bye bye QF.

 

[Nigelinoz]

I just had a closer look at the article and it actually says

The rebranding strategy is believed to also bring to an end several Virgin brand extensions in the region, including Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue and V Australia.

so that appears to be the end of the Pacific and Polynesian Blue brands,if the rumour I have heard is correct that would mean that even a Polynesian Blue aircraft and flight would have the "Virgin Australia" tag,which would seem rather weird imo,so maybe it will be Virgin Pacific after all?.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[stuartfaz]

I heard a pretty strong rumour recently that it's going to be Virgin Australia and I think they may go with that,and it's a good name but the only problem would be that it would sort of leave Pacific Blue without an identity,unless of course they are planning on selling Pac Blue?
Cheers
N'oz

I think given the NZ tie-up, and the fact that PB pulled out of domestic NZ ops, renaming all of DJ to Virgin Australia wouldn't be as much of an issue as it would have been a couple of years ago.

Polynesian Blue will be a bit of a speed bump though. I like Virgin Pacific better as a name though.

 

[Nigelinoz]

I think given the NZ tie-up, and the fact that PB pulled out of domestic NZ ops, renaming all of DJ to Virgin Australia wouldn't be as much of an issue as it would have been a couple of years ago.

Polynesian Blue will be a bit of a speed bump though. I like Virgin Pacific better as a name though.

When you think about it Virgin Pacific is logical because the group would then be Virgin ATLANTIC,Virgin AMERICA and Virgin PACIFIC-three brands in three geographic areas of the world,they would then only need Virgin ASIA and they would have a good spread of the world covered,maybe RB is looking to increase his 20% stake in Air Asia?
Cheers
N'oz

 

[Nigelinoz]

Except of course the thing I had forgotten which is the rumours that Branson wants to sell VS !.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[markis10]

Except of course the thing I had forgotten which is the rumours that Branson wants to sell VS !.
Cheers
N'oz

Dont you mean SQ?

 

[yohy?!]

Dont you mean SQ?

SRB's 51% stake may be being looked at by AF/KLM - Not sure how SQ feels about it!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/8336857/Air-France-and-Delta-to-target-Virgin-Atlantic.html

 

[Nigelinoz]

Dont you mean SQ?

Yeah fair point but the question remains ,whether SRB sells his 51% or SQ sell their 49% that effectively means the end of VS as we know it,the more relevant question is who the heck would want it? BA has said it would buy VS's LHR slots but not the actual airline,who else other than perhaps Delta would want VS when BA has just tied up a large proportion of the Europe market via it's merger with Iberia.
The only other possible player as I see it is Lufthansa,and I don't know whether they have the cash at the moment.
Cheers
N'oz
(BTW sorry to take the thread O/T)

 

[kamchatsky]

When you think about it Virgin Pacific is logical because the group would then be Virgin ATLANTIC,Virgin AMERICA and Virgin PACIFIC-three brands in three geographic areas of the world,they would then only need Virgin ASIA and they would have a good spread of the world covered,maybe RB is looking to increase his 20% stake in Air Asia?
Cheers
N'oz

Maybe DJ should be called Virgin Asia Pacific?

 

[The Rok]

From memory there is an issue with DJ using the Virgin name on international routes, hence V-Australia. I think Singapore Airlines have the international rights to the Virgin name and unless they are giving it up for a fee there might be a completly different brand on the horizon altogether?

 

[Globetrotter]

In my opinion, I think all signs are pointing towards "Virgin Australia". If you visit Hulsbosch's website, the company responsible for rebranding Virgin Blue, you will notice the title of the browser is HULSBOSCH - Virgin Australia.

HULSBOSCH - Virgin Australia

Then, have a read of this article published today Virgin Blue to drop blue to attract more business | The Australian

I'm pretty sure it will be Virgin Australia but then stranger things have happened :shock:

 

[Dee Thom]

From memory there is an issue with DJ using the Virgin name on international routes, hence V-Australia. I think Singapore Airlines have the international rights to the Virgin name and unless they are giving it up for a fee there might be a completly different brand on the horizon altogether?

Yes, there is with SQ having 49% of Virgins shares; but maybe they would allow DJ and friends to become Virgin Australia to help them sell off their shares.
What would the VA flights to Abu Dhabi be called ? not Virgin Pacific...........

Cheers Dee

 

[ANstar]

I dont think Virgin Australia would be too bad for Pac Blue. I mean it would really only impact

AKL-RAR
AKL-TBU
AKL-APW

All other flights originate from Australia if I am correct so no big deal IMHO

 

[notzac]

Then, have a read of this article published today Virgin Blue to drop blue to attract more business | The Australian

Another interesting line from that article:

He said the white and charcoal aircraft interior was designed to draw the attention of passengers to the red-clad flight attendants.

Does this mean we'll end up with seats looking like this?:

https://static.virginamerica.com/images/pkphotomaincabinseats.jpg

(I hope the answer to that is 'yes' - and specifically those seats - they're really quite comfy for a whY seat!)

 

[spaceboi]

In my opinion, I think all signs are pointing towards "Virgin Australia". If you visit Hulsbosch's website, the company responsible for rebranding Virgin Blue, you will notice the title of the browser is HULSBOSCH - Virgin Australia.

I'm pretty sure it will be Virgin Australia but then stranger things have happened :shock:

Or, if you drop by the ASIC website you'll find that as at 25th Feb 2011 an "application for reservation of a name of a new company", being Virgin Australia, was submitted... (no details other than that are provided at this stage)

spaceboi

 

[pshepvic]

Does this mean we'll end up with seats looking like this?:

https://static.virginamerica.com/images/pkphotomaincabinseats.jpg

(I hope the answer to that is 'yes' - and specifically those seats - they're really quite comfy for a whY seat!)

I'm hoping for a seat more like this: https://static.virginamerica.com/images/pkphotofirstclass.jpg

Maybe the next announcement will be that there will be an F class introduced as well ... :shock:

In my opinion, I think all signs are pointing towards "Virgin Australia". If you visit Hulsbosch's website, the company responsible for rebranding Virgin Blue, you will notice the title of the browser is HULSBOSCH - Virgin Australia.

HULSBOSCH - Virgin Australia

Then, have a read of this article published today Virgin Blue to drop blue to attract more business | The Australian

I'm pretty sure it will be Virgin Australia but then stranger things have happened :shock:

Or, if you drop by the ASIC website you'll find that as at 25th Feb 2011 an "application for reservation of a name of a new company", being Virgin Australia, was submitted... (no details other than that are provided at this stage)

spaceboi

These events might be a copy of the way that Apple tries to throw people off the scent. They registered a trademark in Delaware for a product called the "iSlate" and all the forums for months speculated that this would be the name for what was since released as the "iPad". How did they know that people would make that connection? Because they did the same for the name "iPhone" several years earlier, but in that case it was actually named the same thing, and people made the assumption they would do the same for the iSlate/iPad. Apple were too smart for them - maybe Virgin Blue/Pacific/Australia/? are smart too?

Would they be that obvious to have "Virgin Australia" plastered all around the place, on websites and articles? Possibly not. Or maybe yes, in a reverse psychology type way - "If we put it out there they won't believe it". So it's all just speculation really, until the actual announcement is made.

Or, if you drop by the ASIC website you'll find that as at 25th Feb 2011 an "application for reservation of a name of a new company", being Virgin Australia, was submitted... (no details other than that are provided at this stage)

spaceboi

Here is a bit more detail around the use of the name "Virgin Australia".

"Virgin Australia Pty Ltd" was used by Virgin Records (first registered in 1982), who subsequently changed their name to Virgin Records Australia Pty Ltd.

"Virgin Australia Pty. Ltd." was then registered to another company in 1991, who are now called "EASYREADER PTY LTD". Guess what date their business name changed? 25th Feb 2011. So looks like it was bought by "someone" just this week.

The name Virgin Australia Airlines (registered in 2007) is also owned by "someone" who is conveniently based in Bowen Hills Qld. Same applies to Virgin Australia Holdings (registered in 2000).

Finally, Virgin Australia (Operations) Pty Ltd was originally registered back in 1999, and then changed to Virgin Blue.

So ... read into this what you will!

 

[moa999]

hublosch link has changed

 

[samiam]

hublosch link has changed

Yes - I noticed it now has Virgin Blue in the header - confirms an eye for detail

 

[Dee Thom]

I'm hoping for a seat more like this: https://static.virginamerica.com/images/pkphotofirstclass.jpg

Maybe the next announcement will be that there will be an F class introduced as well ... :shock:

First class in the U.S.A. is the equivilant to domestic J in Aus, Though Virgins new J seats will lift the bar over our cousins across the Pacific.

Cheers Dee