Virgin domestic J fares same price as Qantas domestic J fares!

[danielt25]

I do CNS-BNE-CNS each weekend and have noticed the cost of a J fare on Virgin is now $599 which is the same price as Qantas J fare. (When both have their Business Class sale, however, Virgin J fare is $399 and Qantas J fare is $429).
I have been traveling more frequently in J on both carriers through Upgrademe bids, flexi award upgrades and even a few paid J tickets when on sale.
Not sure what others think, but the Qantas domestic J service on the 737 feels significantly more premium than the virgin offering, and it's interesting that Virgin have chosen to price their J tickets the same as Qantas.

 

[serfty]

The airlines will charge as much as they can ... If VA are normally pricing the same as Qantas then I'd suggest they are selling those seats as much as Qantas.

Out of cairns, I have found QF and VA Business to be much the same.

 

[Zerosignal]

J was empty on my last BNE - MEL flight, usually when I am in J it is myself and one other.

I feel that the price point isn't right.

 

[danielt25]

Even the lounge (at least in Cairns), like party pies at 4pm in virgin lounge versus a cheese platter and a hot dish offering in the Qantas lounge.
Admittedly the Cairns staff are very friendly and accommodating for fly ahead requests

 

[travelislife]

At the end of the day I guess that J domestic flyers are 40-50% corporate/government, 30% international connections and 20% individuals (be it paying or points).

Now QF still has a bigger share from the corporate side, and much larger international networks requiring a lot more domestic connections in business.

So I don't think price really drives it that much, only really for that approx 20% of individuals. Unfortunately Virgin doesn't have as much enticement for the approx 30% international connections and still doesn't have as big a corporate take up.

Note: the percentages are purely a guess by me from observation on flights.

 

[Buzzard]

IMHO QF just have the edge over VA.
If the price is the same I'll take QF.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I've noticed the VA J fare increase out of CNS as well. Too dear.

I'm hopefully in J on QF tomorrow (same route) so I'll be able to compare.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Flew QF CNS-BNE in J today. My assessment of both is:

VA seems to have a greater seat pitch.
QF seats are comfier.
QF food offering is better.
VA is better at keeping the J cab more exclusive....I like the fact they don't generally do op-ups to status.
VA usually protect the J cabin on disembarkation, QF do not.
A Y pax made the dash on QF to the J lav, straight past a FA who did nothing, so VA is not the only one to struggle.

All in all, much of a muchness. I think $599 is too dear for both of them. I wonder if VA has taken the 10% disc available on QF into account.