Virgin CBR-SYD flights restarting

[trisreed]

That's (dis?)heart-ening...

My attempt to "quote" ZL's slogan was a bit too vague

If they did start operating SYD-CBR with exclusively jets that would actually be a huge attraction for me. I'm quite tall and genuinely detest flying on the cramped turboprop planes.

I am guessing on such a short sector length there would be next to no time advantage to a jet but noise and space would certainly be appreciated here. I am only somewhat tall (185cm) but haven't noticed a huge difference between the standard Y seats on a VA 738 and the AT72's.

 

[stryker]

Looking at Virgin's current schedule, the SYD-CBR route is not due to restart until 26 July and they've still got ATRs scheduled on the route. Clearly that's not going to happen.

Yes indeed.

I booked a 1-way ticket from OOL to CBR on VA (via SYD) a few weeks ago, and it included an ATR on the SYD-CBR leg.

Sure enough, a week or so later there was a schedule change and I'm now flying OOL-MEL-CBR.

 

[trisreed]

Sure enough, a week or so later there was a schedule change and I'm now flying OOL-MEL-CBR.

Perhaps the reality will end up being CBR-MEL-SYD to go between the two on VA.

 

[AIRwin]

Sure enough, a week or so later there was a schedule change and I'm now flying OOL-MEL-CBR.

More status credits... No direct OOL-CBR?

 

[stryker]

More status credits... No direct OOL-CBR?

Unfortunately it's an award ticket, and the direct flight's timing didn't suit at all. At least I get a chance to check out the MEL lounge (maybe).

 

[AIRwin]

At least I get a chance to check out the MEL lounge (maybe).

Yes it may even be newly refurbished if not The Club still...

 

[oirets]

Honestly, does it actually make sense to fly SYD-CBR? As someone who used to make that journey regularly, I would always just drive - 3 hours and no stress.

 

[antycbr]

Honestly, does it actually make sense to fly SYD-CBR? As someone who used to make that journey regularly, I would always just drive - 3 hours and no stress.

For connections on to other DOM or INT mainly in my 16 years living there. Couldn’t justify the fares out of my own pocket - government travel is different of course.

The drive to Sydney will be quicker depending on where in Sydney you are going.

 

[kookaburra75]

Honestly, does it actually make sense to fly SYD-CBR? As someone who used to make that journey regularly, I would always just drive - 3 hours and no stress.

For leisure travel MrsK and I normally drive up to Sydney and back. However, if I'm doing day trips for work then driving isn't an option - going up is ok, but coming back is too much of a risk from fatigue.

For connections on to other DOM or INT mainly in my 16 years living there. Couldn’t justify the fares out of my own pocket - government travel is different of course.
The drive to Sydney will be quicker depending on where in Sydney you are going.

If I'm heading into the city or close by for meetings and the like, flying is definitely easier. Richmond/Penrith - then driving is almost quicker.

 

[jakeseven7]

Honestly, does it actually make sense to fly SYD-CBR? As someone who used to make that journey regularly, I would always just drive - 3 hours and no stress.

I read once on here that connecting traffic was well over 50% for this route... which explains why loads of people fly it.

 

[Happy Dude]

Honestly, does it actually make sense to fly SYD-CBR? As someone who used to make that journey regularly, I would always just drive - 3 hours and no stress.

If the SYD-CBR leg is stand alone, then driving or bus or even train are alternatives. However I tend to be coming home from other places via SYD, so flying is essential.

In fact, if VA don't compete between CBR-SYD then, to avoid re-checking at SYD, I'll either:
1. fly another airline (QF) or
2. be forced to use BNE or MEL has a transfer hub.

The second option isn't appealing.

 

[muppet]

Honestly, does it actually make sense to fly SYD-CBR? As someone who used to make that journey regularly, I would always just drive - 3 hours and no stress.

Each to their own, but as someone who had regular day trips to SYD for meetings, driving would be exhausting.

There's a big difference between sitting in the J lounge for 30 mins and then in a Q400 for 50mins vs having to drive 3.5 hours (more likely 4 before 9am) each way.

I would never let my staff drive 6-8 hours a day plus have meetings. Unnecessary risk for very little financial saving.

 

[jakeseven7]

Each to their own, but as someone who had regular day trips to SYD for meetings, driving would be exhausting.

There's a big difference between sitting in the J lounge for 30 mins and then in a Q400 for 50mins vs having to drive 3.5 hours (more likely 4 before 9am) each way.

I would never let my staff drive 6-8 hours a day plus have meetings. Unnecessary risk for very little financial saving.

Agree - and we aren’t allowed to / OH&S.

Company could well be liable should anything happen...

 

[Colin 2905]

It would seem that VA has dropped the CBR-SYD reintroduction. Mrs 2905 and I have SYD-PER-SYD flights booked for September, from when we each had an ANZ RTA card. When I looked a few weeks ago VA was showing direct flights, albeit at $199 on non-existent ATR's. Now, everything's via MEL.

To make matters worse, VA's changed PER-SYD schedule now sees us getting into SYD at 7.40pm, which is too late to connect with anything, even a bus. I'll call ANZ Travel tomorrow, and see if they'll let me change it to MEL-PER-MEL, which is workable with CBR-MEL-CBR (on points, too).

 

[Saab34]

Are they waiting for the Alliance E190 contract to start?

 

[AIRwin]

It's back!

Virgin Australia relaunches Canberra-Sydney flights

One of the nation's major airlines has announced a flurry of new flights between the capital and the...

www.canberratimes.com.au

 

[jase05]

It's back!

Virgin Australia relaunches Canberra-Sydney flights

One of the nation's major airlines has announced a flurry of new flights between the capital and the...

www.canberratimes.com.au

Up to 9 flights per day currently scheduled which is good but still the lack of a J product means I’ll give that route a miss unless unavoidable

 

[Mattg]

I'm happy to see this return in some form, even if it is a Saab 340 service operated by another airline. The lack of CBR-SYD services on VA has made it more difficult to connect to a lot of places out of CBR using VA's network.

Will be interesting to see whether VA matches Rex's $99 fares, and whether Rex complains about the extra competition...

So far the cheapest fares seem to be $119 one-way, with only Choice/Flex available.

 

[kookaburra75]

It's back!

Virgin Australia relaunches Canberra-Sydney flights

One of the nation's major airlines has announced a flurry of new flights between the capital and the...

www.canberratimes.com.au

Yikes, back to the future. Instead of Kendall, now we get Link. Not sure whether I'd pick a Saab340 over a Dash 8 though. It will come down to price

 

[HS-TQE]

Seems VA are trying to phase out whats remaining of their Alliance contracts. There's not much VA/QQ contract flying left when compared to their pre-administration work.

JH and co may not be keen on having 20% of their wet lease money to QQ going to QF, so they may be letting the contracts run out and not renew most (if not all) routes.