Virgin sets its compass to Asia

[777]

It's not in Asia which was my point earlier........ and previously

Clearly the reason we are getting stuck here is that you're arguing from a different reality to me.

 

[smit0847]

So, who wants to speculate about where in Asia VA might want to fly to first?

Anyone want to take a punt?

MEL/BNE - HKG - link up with VS - perfect product match
MEL-BOM/DEL - huge amount of migrant Indians in Mel, no direct services. Product doesn't match that well (migrants aren't going to be seeking Luke Mangan cuisine and an in-flight bar) - I could see Jetstar doing very well on this route if it were direct.
BNE-HNL - replace Air Australia

Possibly:

MEL-PEK - Jetstar via Singapore isn't smooth.
PER-AUH although I think this is beyond range.

Can't see them taking on SQ to SIN - I think most people would choose the SQ A380/777 out of MEL and SYD (do they A380 out of Bris?) especially with the 3 x daily service. Unless SQ want to drop out of any market (ADL?), if people are earning points and SCs on SIA I doubt they would want a VA 330.

Note I haven't included Sydney - this is because:

a) Qantas completely neglect the market for Asia out of Melbourne (1 flight per day) so I think there is huge potential for people who do not want to transit through Sydney (ME)
b) Brisbane is Virgin's home base and they tend to feed people there domestically (i.e. most Pacific Island routes)

 

[Justchecking]

Virgin pacific island routes are to Bris because that's where the market for pacific island routes is. It has nothing to do with Virgin's supposed patriotic attachment to Brisbane. Honestly I can't see many\any direct Asia flights out of Sydney because it's already covered by their partners and I suppose the last thing they really want to do is jeopardise a partnership over a single route. Maybe DPS on an A330 in peak season? If we see Virgin going into Asia at all on their own metal I'd bet strongly on it being from another port. I'm actually quite suprised they desire to send their own planes into Asia at all given how saturated that market already is. Interesting to watch though.

 

[LovemyCC]

OOL-NRT to be cancelled for jetstar, Is that confirmed? I'm gonna miss cheap flights to Tokyo. I wanna have my jap food!

 

[haydensydney]

Wrong and not relevant, firstly I was talking about flights between 5-10 hours where an A330 is better than the 77W!
Secondly AC use a 777-200LR now, they used the 77W for a short period before the 777-200LR's were delivered but the 77W was restricted to the number of passengers they could carry

Heck if the 77W was so good, they would use it on the SYD-PER runs then.......

Don't Thai, Malaysian, SQ etc all use 777 metal on the Aus-Asia routes? That fits the 5-10 timeframe you mention and I believe all carriers also have A330's?

 

[oz_mark]

Don't Thai, Malaysian, SQ etc all use 777 metal on the Aus-Asia routes? That fits the 5-10 timeframe you mention and I believe all carriers also have A330's?

They do - it does seem to vary depending on which Aus port you are talking about!

 

[markis10]

They do - it does seem to vary depending on which Aus port you are talking about!

Not to mention BR, EK BNE to SIN, NZ, KE, UU ( a favorite with the flounge runs), VN.....

 

[haydensydney]

I must be mad entering such a highly-charged thread like this one...

*steps away from the thread*

 

[gwilli1]

Don't Thai, Malaysian, SQ etc all use 777 metal on the Aus-Asia routes? That fits the 5-10 timeframe you mention and I believe all carriers also have A330's?

And you can throw in JAL , Korean Air & Asiana that also use 777 metal on Aus-Asia.

 

[markis10]

NZ are even using them domestically in Australia this morning!

[TABLE="width: 740"]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]ZK-OKP[/TD]
[TD]B77W[/TD]
[TD]ANZ1963[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD]Townsville[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[lovestotravel]

Don't Thai, Malaysian, SQ etc all use 777 metal on the Aus-Asia routes? That fits the 5-10 timeframe you mention and I believe all carriers also have A330's?

SQ - 77W to MEL & SYD but that's because it has the best J and F product and they need the capacity up front
Malaysian - No 77W from memory in their fleet.
Thai - Probably because it has first class, but no idea what 777 they use to Australia

Not to mention BR, EK BNE to SIN, NZ, KE, UU ( a favorite with the flounge runs), VN.....

NZ - 77W rarely sees MEL now, dunno about SYD
EK - Cargo and the newest product, hence the 77W

Again, let me know when Virgin Australia use the 77W to Asia

 

[lovestotravel]

NZ are even using them domestically in Australia this morning!

[TABLE="width: 740"]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]ZK-OKP[/TD]
[TD]B77W[/TD]
[TD]ANZ1963[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD]Townsville[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

What was that flight for

 

[markis10]

What was that flight for

No idea, normally the 77W just hightails it back to AKL each day.

 

[maninblack]

What was that flight for

Perhaps military stuff, something on in Townsville ANZAC related excercise perhaps?

 

[markis10]

Perhaps military stuff, something on in Townsville ANZAC related excercise perhaps?

Possibly, I think there was a rotation due in, maybe a NZ contingent hitched a ride on the A340 and needed a lift ex TSV.

 

[Fruitcake]

NZ are even using them domestically in Australia this morning!

[TABLE="width: 740"]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]ZK-OKP[/TD]
[TD]B77W[/TD]
[TD]ANZ1963[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD]Townsville[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Military charter? It's on its way back to AKL now, direct from TSV. I thought the 747-400 was NZ's normal instrument of choice for military charters, but I guess sometimes it comes down to whatever's available:

FlightAware > ZK-OKP > 26/04/2012 > YBTL-NZAA

 

[adampenrith]

As a pax who has flown extensively on the A330, A340, I would much prefer this aircraft in both Y and J than the 777 and I have flown on various layouts on various airlines.

 

[markis10]

Looks like someone is eyeing the LHR BMI slots

 

[Justchecking]

I assume you mean Atlantic, and if so, forgive my not being up to speed here, but what has that got to do with Virgin Aus?

 

[markis10]

I assume you mean Atlantic, and if so, forgive my not being up to speed here, but what has that got to do with Virgin Aus?

No I dont mean VS, which answers the second question