What is Virgin Australia's strategy (post-administration)?

bladeau1981 said:
Why would you use the VA lounge in Adelaide over the QF one? I guess it's a shorter walk after.
Click to expand...
Why would I use it or why would QR use it?
Personally being right next to the International departures is a bonus but I often find the VA lounge has better food and much better coffee than the QF lounge. No spirits but has beers that I love and they are always ice cold instead of the tepid ones I get occasionally in the QF lounge.
QR use it because QF refused to stay open later to cater for their later flights. VA were happy to remain open for them
 
jase05 said:
Why would I use it or why would QR use it?
Personally being right next to the International departures is a bonus but I often find the VA lounge has better food and much better coffee than the QF lounge. No spirits but has beers that I love and they are always ice cold instead of the tepid ones I get occasionally in the QF lounge.
QR use it because QF refused to stay open later to cater for their later flights. VA were happy to remain open for them
Click to expand...
Ah that makes sense the timing. I typically find the food and booze at Qantas better and the lounge being larger I can usually find a quiet area to sit. I have been increasingly disappointed in the food offerings at the VA lounge in Adelaide particularly, never get the burgers or other things like that and it always seems like the least effort is taken to keep food available throughout the day. Coffee is on par I think, but Qantas I can usually get one basically instantly, VA it takes 10mins at least. I think it is more to do with number of staff than anything else.
 
AeroRoutes are reporting that VA have filed 737 MAX 8 service on the domestic network from 11SEP23, obviously subject to change.

Initial routes are:
• Brisbane - Cairns
• Brisbane - Perth
• Brisbane - Sydney
• Sydney - Melbourne
• Sydney - Perth

They note that reservation is not yet open for MAX 8 domestic service, and browsing the VA site confirms this. Also, looking at the Tokyo flights, they have removed mention of the MAX name and simply refer to the Boeing 737-8.

According to Rzjets, the first aircraft will carry the registration VH-8IA and has the line number 8604 so it is a newly built frame, not one of the not-taken-up white tails. It is also reported to be in final assembly as we speak.
 
Harrison_133 said:
AeroRoutes are reporting that VA have filed 737 MAX 8 service on the domestic network from 11SEP23, obviously subject to change.

Initial routes are:
• Brisbane - Cairns
• Brisbane - Perth
• Brisbane - Sydney
• Sydney - Melbourne
• Sydney - Perth

They note that reservation is not yet open for MAX 8 domestic service, and browsing the VA site confirms this. Also, looking at the Tokyo flights, they have removed mention of the MAX name and simply refer to the Boeing 737-8.

According to Rzjets, the first aircraft will carry the registration VH-8IA and has the line number 8604 so it is a newly built frame, not one of the not-taken-up white tails. It is also reported to be in final assembly as we speak.
Click to expand...
Regos will be 8IA - 8ID. CASA only recently allowing a mixture of letters and numbers now in aircraft registration, similar to that found on US aircraft.

Some pictures of VA’s first Max being built on the assembly line. 5CC3C2B7-C0EE-48E7-8D24-C7E72E217EF6.jpeg128AABCF-01CB-48A8-B19E-EC1A3E766014.jpeg0EBE45D0-A890-4A48-AEFD-91EE18AD2174.jpeg849AF0FA-DB19-44D9-AF7E-2CA927FC828F.jpeg
 
twiningb said:
You'd think so, but I was refused access by the QF lounge dragon, flying a revenue J ticket on QR ADL-AKL. This was about a month ago.
Click to expand...
Our if interest what did she say to you? I certainly can see the irony... This is my issue generally. I like alliances but i am confused by partnerships. The tie up between Emirates and Qantas confuses me...as does (although I like the principle) between Qatar and Virgin Aus. Bottom line to me is alliance airlines should and generally does have access to all lounges but ofcourse if I were to turn up waving my one world emerald card courtesy of BA at an Emirates lounge when flying separate metal what will happen?
 
PERLHR said:
Our if interest what did she say to you? I certainly can see the irony... This is my issue generally. I like alliances but i am confused by partnerships. The tie up between Emirates and Qantas confuses me...as does (although I like the principle) between Qatar and Virgin Aus. Bottom line to me is alliance airlines should and generally does have access to all lounges but ofcourse if I were to turn up waving my one world emerald card courtesy of BA at an Emirates lounge when flying separate metal what will happen?
Click to expand...
I don't recall the specific wording, sorry.

I would not expect my BA OWE status (if I had such) to get anything with EK just because of the QF partnership, of which under this scenario I am not a member. But QF and QR are in the same alliance, so the published alliance benefit should have been honoured.
 
Harrison_133 said:
AeroRoutes are reporting that VA have filed 737 MAX 8 service on the domestic network from 11SEP23, obviously subject to change.

Initial routes are:
• Brisbane - Cairns
• Brisbane - Perth
Click to expand...
Following up on this, the tentative rotations are:
• Brisbane - Cairns/Cairns - Brisbane (VA771/VA776)
• Brisbane - Perth/Perth - Brisbane (VA466/VA471)

Seat maps do not currently reflect the 737-8 as the operating aircraft, nor does it appear in the Virgin booking system, so obviously changes are likely.

1687824378275.jpeg
 
AMEX Velocity Platinum Card Benefits
Australia's highest-earning Velocity Frequent Flyer credit card: Offer expires: 21 Jan 2025
- Earn 60,000 bonus Velocity Points
- Get unlimited Virgin Australia Lounge access
- Enjoy a complimentary return Virgin Australia domestic flight each year

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

I wouldn’t expect much fanfare when it arrives, most carriers are keeping it very low key with MAX arrivals. It’s a 737 with new engines is what many carriers are carefully referring it to.
 
Bet t
Saab34 said:
I wouldn’t expect much fanfare when it arrives, most carriers are keeping it very low key with MAX arrivals. It’s a 737 with new engines is what many carriers are carefully referring it to.
Click to expand...
Bet the press don't...expect fanfare and Max history...🫣😂
 
PERLHR said:
Bet t

Bet the press don't...expect fanfare and Max history...🫣😂
Click to expand...

Yea will be interesting to see how the various news outlets frame the story - if they bother to cover it of course (lets be honest, a new 737 isn't exactly that exciting for them). I wouldn't be suprised if this barely makes a ripple.

More 'serious' in-depth news coverage will probably go back talk about the crashes and fatalities, refer to Boeing's quality, safety issues and ongoing delivery issues (across multiple lines) and then discuss the fact its a very old design being marked up, again. They will probably also refer to QF deciding to pass on the model as well in favour of Airbus.

Do the US operators still let their passengers move off MAX flights for free? And are they still showing when booking when it is a MAX so people can avoid it if they wish?
 
jakeseven7 said:
And are they still showing when booking when it is a MAX so people can avoid it if they wish?
Click to expand...
Yes. All MAX operators in the US still show its a MAX when booking online.
jakeseven7 said:
Do the US operators still let their passengers move off MAX flights for free?
Click to expand...
The only one with specific information published still is United, and I’m inclined to say no, or at least they’re moving away from it. Their FAQs state they were offering free changes on tickets issued before May 31st (year not included).
 
Quite likely one of the safest aircraft in operation at this time. Around 500 of them currently in service around the world with MANY on order. I've been in a MAX, 3 times and the thought didn't cross mind.
I'll be quite excited to jump in a VA configured one :)
 
Last edited:
Does VA plan to replace their 737s somehow? Aren't the new planes for new routes?
 

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.

Recent Posts

Currently Active Users

... and 13 more.
Total: 414 (members: 63, guests: 351)
Back
Top