Virgin flights to Bali require technical stop in Darwin

[jakeseven7]

VA chooses to fill up the 737s to full loads, hence the fuel stops.

They don’t really have a choice.

 

[MooTime]

They don’t really have a choice.

and you are more knowledgeable that VA management......right?

 

[jakeseven7]

and you are more knowledgeable that VA management......right?

It’s not so much about the VA2 management it’s pretty easy equation and observation that their new business model post the collapse of VA1 is higher volume : lower yield = have to sell more seats to make money.

Essentially this means other airlines that make more per seat and still have good efficiency controls have the flexibility within their business model to load restrict so they don’t require these stops as often. It’s a business / brand model choice.

Plus as others have observed in this thread already, the may be an expectation from VA2’s management that their customers would accept this more readily (because of the new brand positioning / price they paid etc v other airlines). Perhaps they think it’s worth the risk - that’s entirely up to them and as you point out only VA2 management would know that rationale in detail.

Some passengers clearly to do not accept this strategy of planned/unplanned stops of course - from the posts up thread!

 

[antycbr]

It’s not so much about the VA2 management it’s pretty easy equation and observation that their new business model post the collapse of VA1 is higher volume : lower yield = have to sell more seats to make money.

Essentially this means other airlines that make more per seat and still have good efficiency controls have the flexibility within their business model to load restrict so they don’t require these stops as often. It’s a business / brand model choice.

Plus as others have observed in this thread already, the may be an expectation from VA2’s management that their customers would accept this more readily (because of the new brand positioning / price they paid etc v other airlines). Perhaps they think it’s worth the risk - that’s entirely up to them and as you point out only VA2 management would know that rationale in detail.

Some passengers clearly to do not accept this strategy of planned/unplanned stops of course - from the posts up thread!

Instead they take their chances on the Orange Gamble that is JQ, where you can be stranded for days. A tech stop for fuel in DRW would be preferable, at a lower price than QF.

Those blocked seats come at a price, distributed across all other fares paid on the QF.

Clearly VA are having no problems filling their aircraft. Ironically, If they weren’t filling the aircraft then the tech stop wouldn’t be needed.

 

[jpp42]

Good news, the stop in DRW was a bit of a pain on thursday. I recommend anyone traveling to DPS on these services to bring a good book for the wait at immigration at DPS

I know this is an old comment, but I'm trying to understand what this comment about immigration in DRW has to do with anything? Aren't these just technical stops, i.e. for the aircraft to be refueled? Why would there be anything to do with immigration - don't the passengers clear outbound immigration at point of origin?

 

[simmomelb]

It’s not so much about the VA2 management it’s pretty easy equation and observation that their new business model post the collapse of VA1 is higher volume : lower yield = have to sell more seats to make money.

Essentially this means other airlines that make more per seat and still have good efficiency controls have the flexibility within their business model to load restrict so they don’t require these stops as often. It’s a business / brand model choice.

Plus as others have observed in this thread already, the may be an expectation from VA2’s management that their customers would accept this more readily (because of the new brand positioning / price they paid etc v other airlines). Perhaps they think it’s worth the risk - that’s entirely up to them and as you point out only VA2 management would know that rationale in detail.

Some passengers clearly to do not accept this strategy of planned/unplanned stops of course - from the posts up thread!

Plenty of QF flights to DPS have stopped in DRW over the past few weeks, this is easy to see as we know.
What is your thought on this?

 

[Harrison_133]

I know this is an old comment, but I'm trying to understand what this comment about immigration in DRW has to do with anything? Aren't these just technical stops, i.e. for the aircraft to be refueled? Why would there be anything to do with immigration - don't the passengers clear outbound immigration at point of origin?

I think they’re referring to the immigration queues at Denpasar, which having recently experienced, are absolutely atrocious. We stood for 2 hours in long and slow moving lines just to have passports stamped.

 

[jpp42]

Plenty of QF flights to DPS have stopped in DRW over the past few weeks, this is easy to see as we know.
What is your thought on this?

I'm not the person you're replying to, but there have been especially nasty winds aloft recently, my guess is that even the QF 737's can't make it westbound with the limited weight restrictions they are using (only about 10-15 pax below capacity are blocked). Also, with it being very busy at this time of year with little alternatives available, they can't offload pax or bags to get the weights down, thus the stop is less disruptive. Plus, if they know there's a good chance of the refueling stop, they might as well remove the weight restriction and grab a few last minute fares - Qantas isn't immune to profiteering and blaming something else (the weather in this case).

 

[jpp42]

I think they’re referring to the immigration queues at Denpasar, which having recently experienced, are absolutely atrocious. We stood for 2 hours in long and slow moving lines just to have passports stamped.

Oh , yeah, I totally misread that. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[twinaisle]

Plenty of QF flights to DPS have stopped in DRW over the past few weeks, this is easy to see as we know.
What is your thought on this?

QF also stop in Broome when needed

 

[pauly7]

It’s not so much about the VA2 management it’s pretty easy equation and observation that their new business model post the collapse of VA1 is higher volume : lower yield = have to sell more seats to make money.
l

Basically at the core of it you are correct.

One major missing point though is QF/QF through JQ have done an enormous amount of work in building and expanding the QF freight business, that captures higher value freight than the Virgin business.

So QF mainline maintains a premium both above the cabin floor and below.

It all adds up and at the crux of everything the new Virgin business is much a volume model now than prior to the Bain resurrection.

 

[AIRwin]

Bali flight forced to return to Darwin due to 'engineering issue'

A Virgin flight returns to Darwin unexpectedly, the second Australian plane to turn back from Bali this week.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Saab34]

I guess the MAX will find itself on Bali pretty quick once it arrives.