Virgin Blue embarks on brand overhaul

[dk4]

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.

Not when it comes to dual aisle, wide-body aircraft though.

The Airlines in the USA generally offer significantly better onboard premium product, than Qantas does here, when flying on their domestic wide-body services. :!:

e.g. when flying AA on a 767-300 in Domestic First Class, they already use a seat with around a 60" pitch!
(The same seat that they use for International Business Class services.)

 

[spaceboi]

Not when it comes to dual aisle, wide-body aircraft though.

The Airlines in the USA generally offer significantly better onboard premium product, than Qantas does here, when flying on their domestic wide-body services. :!:

e.g. when flying AA on a 767-300 in Domestic First Class, they already use a seat with around a 60" pitch!
(The same seat that they use for International Business Class services.)

Although, they too have only been offering/promoting an improved coast to coast J for a short couple of years now.

Much like QF's and DJ's recent & coming updates, it is of some limited availability... but, it's a welcome addition, even it means you can't be a picky as when you want to fly using such accommodations.

I wonder if the new J's will be popular enough, that people will work their schedules around it (c'mon you know you want to

If it proves popular enough, could we see QF and DJ introducing 2 levels/prices for DOM J travel??
OR
Could the dissatisfaction with current J, and the willingness of going the new J, see the demise of old J and the introduction of DOM Y+ for Oz?

 

[Dee Thom]

Could the dissatisfaction with current J, and the willingness of going the new J, see the demise of old J and the introduction of DOM Y+ for Oz?

I fly UA in the U.S. and their Y+ is very roomy for the cost, US$20 LAX-SFO, usually pick it up at E-check in, very rare to miss out. Although their PHX-LAX flight is a tight squeeze in a CRJ, with no Y+!
I think Air N.Z. has come up with an upmarket Y which costs more than normal Y on their domestic routes.


Cheers Dee.

 

[spaceboi]

I fly UA in the U.S. and their Y+ is very roomy for the cost, US$20 LAX-SFO, usually pick it up at E-check in, very rare to miss out. Although their PHX-LAX flight is a tight squeeze in a CRJ, with no Y+!
I think Air N.Z. has come up with an upmarket Y which costs more than normal Y on their domestic routes.


Cheers Dee.

The upgrade cost to UA's "plus" was a no brainer for me also. I guess our local airlines have made some ways toward that with exit row seating selection... but a few proper dedicated "plus" rows would be a welcome addition, and i'd bet every one of them would sell out fast ... assuming they refrain from price gouging, of course.

I'm still hoping that DJ introduces it with this upcoming refit, seeing as they have alluded to a complete overhaul of Y before the years out ...

 

[Justchecking]

I guess Virgin Australia it is....at least according to James Hogan (Of Etihad Airways) anyway.

Etihad has high hopes in Virgin tie | The Australian

 

[Globetrotter]

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

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

 

[dajop]

Not when it comes to dual aisle, wide-body aircraft though.

The Airlines in the USA generally offer significantly better onboard premium product, than Qantas does here, when flying on their domestic wide-body services. :!:

To be fair to QF (and VA) though, coast - coast where you see the premium products in the US - is longer than SYD-PER (NYC-LAX 400 miles - nearly an hour - longer). SYD-PER comparable to DTW or ATL-LAX and MEL-PER is comparable to ORD-LAX.

 

[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

It's beginning to look like Virgin Australia is the name. Just wonder if this is the unified brand across the group, or if it will be Virgin Australia domestically and V Australia internationally. My gut feeling is that SQ has allowed the Virgin name to be used internationally, in return for a codeshare deal to be inked out benefiting both parties.

Timing of next week sounds about right too, with the AFL kicking off, it would be a great time to launch their new marketing campaign and introduce the new brand to a receptive audience.

 

[stuartfaz]

It's beginning to look like Virgin Australia is the name. Just wonder if this is the unified brand across the group, or if it will be Virgin Australia domestically and V Australia internationally. My gut feeling is that SQ has allowed the Virgin name to be used internationally, in return for a codeshare deal to be inked out benefiting both parties.

Timing of next week sounds about right too, with the AFL kicking off, it would be a great time to launch their new marketing campaign and introduce the new brand to a receptive audience.

I think it's almost certain 'Virgin Australia' will be the main group name, with the VA code carrying over to the 'new' airline.

Only possible exception would be Polynesian Blue, which is only 49% owned by VA. In this case this offshoot may keep their name or switch to 'Virgin Polynesia' or the like, and retain the DJ code.

 

[AaronBradford]

Virgin Blue just posted something interesting to their Facebook page:

If you are flying with us tomorrow, you'll be seeing more than just our new cabin crew uniforms on board....

Anyone here know what it's all about?

 

[Globetrotter]

Virgin Blue just posted something interesting to their Facebook page:



Anyone here know what it's all about?

Interesting! There are some suggestions that they will announce their new name tomorrow. Who knows, it's becoming a drawn out process so I wish they'd hurry up

 

[AaronBradford]

Interesting! There are some suggestions that they will announce their new name tomorrow. Who knows, it's becoming a drawn out process so I wish they'd hurry up

I like their tactics from a marketing point of view Would love for that to be announced, however they seem to be hinting at something visual though ...

 

[Globetrotter]

I like their tactics from a marketing point of view Would love for that to be announced, however they seem to be hinting at something visual though ...

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

 

[stuartfaz]

I like their tactics from a marketing point of view Would love for that to be announced, however they seem to be hinting at something visual though ...

New brand would be ALL visual:

• New logo
• New livery
• New cabin etc.

As mentioned previously, timing would be right. AFL have their now-somewhat-anticipated pre-season grand final this week, good launching point.

 

[SeaWolf]

Guess we'll find out tomorrow, I'm flying SYD-PER with them, so I'll keep my eyes open.

 

[pshepvic]

Other half is flying tomorrow morning as well, so will try to find out what's going on!

 

[brissyflyer]

Virgin Blue just posted something interesting to their Facebook page:



Anyone here know what it's all about?

Maybe a name and logo change, I noticed that the facebook profile pic has been changed from the virgin blue logo to a pic of an aircraft tail.

 

[DJ737]

Maybe complimentary meal service (or at least drinks) on the triangle and transcons.

 

[SeaWolf]

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

 

[Nigelinoz]

My understanding from a DJ insider is that the new name and livery will not be announced until the details of the A330 SYD-PER flights are announced,of course that could just be scuttlebutt designed to put me off the scent.
Guess we will know tomorrow.
Cheers
N'oz