Virgin to lose A330's and B777's - become mid range airline - really?

[HS-TQE]

I also noticed that VH-XFH flew MEL-WTB as VA9907 last week and VH-VOZ is scheduled to operate BNE-WTB as VA9908 tomorrow...

WTB/AVV are where the leased aircraft are parked, it seems.

Most of the 'owned' and/or 'encumbered' fleet are stored are at the airports.

 

[HS-TQE]

VA(2) didn't think about selling any flights on the 777s before they all left (similar to QAN's sightseeing flight?) ?

Considering Bain had announced the "retirement" of the 'owned' (well encumbered) 777s alongside returning the A330s, the leased 777 (VOZ) and leased 737s to their lessors, there would've been no point.

Bain would've assumably written off the value on the encumbered 737s and 777s (the 'owned' aircraft with the bank loans against them applied by the previous ownership of EY/SQ/HNA/et al).

 

[BNEFlyer]

VH-VPD flew as VA9943 to HKG on Tuesday. Assumably off to the bank(s) that has the encumbered loan(s) against that aircraft, where they will decide whether to scrap or sell the aircraft.

It's gone to HKG for an engine change then will return to BNE.

 

[mrmerc500]

What’s the plan going forward for storage @ Toowoomba? Looks to be the start of a larger than expected storage lot.

Any idea if the sole A330 in Perth is operational?

I will certainly miss the a330’s, the competition have already recommenced operating them to Perth.

 

[BNEFlyer]

What’s the plan going forward for storage @ Toowoomba? Looks to be the start of a larger than expected storage lot.

Any idea if the sole A330 in Perth is operational?

I will certainly miss the a330’s, the competition have already recommenced operating them to Perth.

The 737's going to WTB are being returned to lessor, it's predicted some of those are the ones Rex is taking.

 

[jakeseven7]

What’s the plan going forward for storage @ Toowoomba? Looks to be the start of a larger than expected storage lot.

Any idea if the sole A330 in Perth is operational?

I will certainly miss the a330’s, the competition have already recommenced operating them to Perth.

Ugh I know, the thought of trekking to Perth in a 737 is very very unappealing

 

[mrmerc500]

The 737's going to WTB are being returned to lessor, it's predicted some of those are the ones Rex is taking.

Thanks BNEFlyer, there is 1 or 2 A330’s there also? Seems a 777 is also flying up there today.

 

[antycbr]

What’s the plan going forward for storage @ Toowoomba? Looks to be the start of a larger than expected storage lot.

Any idea if the sole A330 in Perth is operational?

I will certainly miss the a330’s, the competition have already recommenced operating them to Perth.

The competition would be flying them for freight lift.

VA has always struggled with freight even when owned by TOLL!

 

[BNEFlyer]

Thanks BNEFlyer, there is 1 or 2 A330’s there also? Seems a 777 is also flying up there today.

VOZ is the leased 777. Only one A330 so far, XFH.

 

[ja1]

Ugh I know, the thought of trekking to Perth in a 737 is very very unappealing

Heh. I hear you. I did a status run to RAR in the 737 (SYD-BNE-AKL-RAR). Being at the pointy end of the plane was way less fun than the one and only time at the front in the 777 back from LAX..

 

[AIRwin]

It's gone to HKG for an engine change then will return to BNE.

VH-VPD is scheduled to operate HKG-BNE as VA9944 today...

 

[docjames]

It's gone to HKG for an engine change then will return to BNE.

It’s a fascinating world where it is (presumably) cheaper to fly the aircraft to HKG for the engine to be changed and then fly it back than to ship the engine to Aus and change it here. I suppose freight was carried to offset the flight costs.

 

[BNEFlyer]

It’s a fascinating world where it is (presumably) cheaper to fly the aircraft to HKG for the engine to be changed and then fly it back than to ship the engine to Aus and change it here. I suppose freight was carried to offset the flight costs.

The cost, and logistics of shipping an engine to BNE is huge compared to flying the plane to HKG. Even if the crew stay in HKG for the duration to then fly it back.

 

[docjames]

The cost, and logistics of shipping an engine to BNE is huge compared to flying the plane to HKG. Even if the crew stay in HKG for the duration to then fly it back.

I guess that’s my point - on face value it should be easier to ship a “part” (albeit a big one!) and install locally.

The reality is it’s cheaper to do it the other way, costs less to fly a whole plane than to ship one engine.

 

[jakeseven7]

Would have been strange / sad seeing the bird in HKG..... that was a route damned from the start for them too.

 

[HS-TQE]

Would have been strange / sad seeing the bird in HKG..... that was a route damned from the start for them too.

Pretty much dictated by another former owner which also had financial troubles of their own too.

 

[G B]

Only been to the States once, what would this look like? Heard they provide free baggage so that would be one up from JQ, otherwise as others have stated, may see fare buckets similar to AirNZ for increased value proposition.

Southwest has a good model for USA but here? Not so sure.
There are plenty of options across the range in USA.
Chose your seat on boarding etc, pay for everything extra. It's all open & above board but a super budget product

 

[dajop]

Southwest has a good model for USA but here? Not so sure.

In US terms, one appeal of Southwest is their route network, they pick up a lot of traffic point to point on routes you might have to travel via hub on the big 3. That's not so relevant to Australia. Apart from that, the free checked luggage allowance is really attractive - it a) reduces the stress of whether you need to purchase luggage or not at the time you book, or whether your fare or status entitles you to free luggage and b) reduces the stress of dealing with hand luggage (as less people take it on board... see a)

 

[mrmerc500]

The free checked luggage you mentioned dajop is certainly the first positive offering that I could see attractive to the Australian public & set it above JQ.

Looking at baggage fees with JQ, the sector distance doesn’t seem to be the only deciding factor and may actually be based on the airport’s charges. Otherwise it could considered price gouging within the customers perspective especially regular FF’s.

Eg, 25kg MEL - SYD is $14 more expensive @ $42 opposed to SYD - MEL @ $28. Go figure!

Depending on where they set the fares to be a value hybrid model, onboard Free WIFI & Drinks on Us or Free Seat Selection & Free Changes could be some marketing spin, the latter not increasing VA’s overhead costs in anyway but a saving to the customer that may sway their booking decision.

Onboard meals & food offering can be $$ as they have very little flair atm across VA although keep it simple when a new onboard buy option goes ahead.

 

[AIRwin]

A330 XFJ operated a 13 minute positioning flight from AVV to MEL today as VA9903:

Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24

The world’s most popular flight tracker. Track planes in real-time on our flight tracker map and get up-to-date flight status & airport information.

www.flightradar24.com

XFJ has departed MEL and left Australia this morning...