Virgin sets its compass to Asia

[markis10]

Maybe they have decided to wait a little while on the sidelines given the issues QFi are having in terms of their expansion, they are still expanding partner wise with the recent news of more codeshares etc.

 

[browski]

Ooops! Excellent point... I'd forgotten about short-haul international. Indeed short haul int (which currently only has patchy lounge access) will get by far the greatest benefit from these lounges.

I'm guessing codeshare pax from SQ, NZ, Delta, VS and Hawaiian airlines would also be able to use these lounges. Maybe VA save a bit of money rather than renting from SQ and NZ; I'm not sure how those arrangements work?

 

[smit0847]

I'm guessing codeshare pax from SQ, NZ, Delta, VS and Hawaiian airlines would also be able to use these lounges. Maybe VA save a bit of money rather than renting from SQ and NZ; I'm not sure how those arrangements work?

It's gotta be better than every airline and their dog using the NZ lounge!

 

[lovestotravel]

Rumour is something is going to be announced any day.........

Expect to see more A330's, 737's and another Boeing type.... 777/787 ?

 

[Jousams]

Rumour is something is going to be announced any day.........

Expect to see more A330's, 737's and another Boeing type.... 777/787 ?

What kind of rumors?

 

[Justchecking]

Yes do tell please. The only rumour I've heard is that 2012 is the international expansion year, but it's already July so 2012 is fast passing us by and so far nothing.

 

[lovestotravel]

Already said

"Expect to see more A330's, 737's and another Boeing type.... 777/787 ?"

A330's are a given
737's are a given
777/787 is interesting, as the 777 is now getting a bit old... The 787 would be another complexity in the fleet....

 

[oz_mark]

Already said

"Expect to see more A330's, 737's and another Boeing type.... 777/787 ?"

A330's are a given
737's are a given
777/787 is interesting, as the 777 is now getting a bit old... The 787 would be another complexity in the fleet....

It may be along the lines of A330's in the short term, and 787 longer term to start replacing the A330's.

 

[Jamesl]

Word internally is 787...

 

[777]

Already said

"Expect to see more A330's, 737's and another Boeing type.... 777/787 ?"

A330's are a given
737's are a given
777/787 is interesting, as the 777 is now getting a bit old... The 787 would be another complexity in the fleet....

Although the 787 does have common type rating with 777 for the pilots and by the time Virgin get their hands on any the 777s may be heading for retirement.

 

[lovestotravel]

Yep, the oldest 777's are already 3 years old... Be interesting to see how long VA actually keep the 777's

Looking forward to another VA expansion though, I am becoming very much a solid fan of them despite the small glitches and inconsistencies

 

[juliusg]

A330 number 5 just started service - which is 1 more than the timetable requires. So when number 6 arrives (soon?) you'd expect a new route announcement. No way do VA need more than 4 on the Perth route, surely?

 

[markis10]

A330 number 5 just started service - which is 1 more than the timetable requires. So when number 6 arrives (soon?) you'd expect a new route announcement. No way do VA need more than 4 on the Perth route, surely?

Depends on whether you live in BNE and go to PER, a few mining companies do!

 

[gwilli1]

Depends on whether you live in BNE and go to PER, a few mining companies do!

I tend to agree that VA are likely to add/substitute an A330 on the BNE-PER route to boost capacity.

 

[Jamesl]

I tend to agree that VA are likely to add/substitute an A330 on the BNE-PER route to boost capacity.

VA is waiting to upgrade the facilities to enable an A332 to park as currently there is no gate within the VA terminal that can accommodate the bus...

To add, when #6 arrives, XFA/B are being refitted with the new interior.

 

[pangwen]

No it does not go against what has been the plan since JB came on board if you are following the business close enough:

June 2010 Mr Borghetti told analysts from Macquarie Equities Research that he wanted to boost Virgin's share of the domestic corporate market from about 10 per cent to at least 15 per cent over the next 12 to 24 months. International carrier V Australia, which was losing money and was not likely to break even this year, was also under a network review, the analysts said.

Aug 2010 - Axes South Africa/Thailand and Fiji from VA ops.

May 2011 - Game change announced with re branding, immediate focus on partnership hookups, additional 777s on hold, review of international ops by Q2 2012

Q2 2012 - Announce plans for international expansion as per game change plan - phase 3

View attachment 7086

Sorry to dig out an old thread, but has there been any further news about the 'plans for international expansion'? I don't believe I've heard anything about changed international VA flights in the second half of the calendar year.

 

[Jousams]

Sorry to dig out an old thread, but has there been any further news about the 'plans for international expansion'? I don't believe I've heard anything about changed international VA flights in the second half of the calendar year.

Put simply.

No

 

[pangwen]

Put simply.

No

Nice and simple . Here's hoping there are (positive) changes in the year ahead then!