Will VA be competitive on DPS any time soon?

[VulpesVulpes]

This is probably more of a rant than anything....

I am based in Brisbane, so not sure if it is the same out of other cities, but VA seems to be stupidly expensive on the BNE-DPSvv route.

A discount fare on VA is high $400's and a JQ discount Y is about $250

J on VA is only just short of $1k and JQ is about $550. So even as a SG on VA it is hard to pass up JQ J for the sake of a little extra coin.

VA really do not have the better product, they have a Domestic 737 vs a Dreamliner, they both use domestic style J.

And now with GA pulling the pin on BNE-DPS I don't have much hope for things to get better any time soon

Hell even VA agent rates are more expensive than normal JQ fares FFS

 

[Quickstatus]

This is probably more of a rant than anything....

I am based in Brisbane, so not sure if it is the same out of other cities, but VA seems to be stupidly expensive on the BNE-DPSvv route.

A discount fare on VA is high $400's and a JQ discount Y is about $250

J on VA is only just short of $1k and JQ is about $550. So even as a SG on VA it is hard to pass up JQ J for the sake of a little extra coin.

VA really do not have the better product, they have a Domestic 737 vs a Dreamliner, they both use domestic style J.

And now with GA pulling the pin on BNE-DPS I don't have much hope for things to get better any time soon

Hell even VA agent rates are more expensive than normal JQ fares FFS

Competition does not necessarily have to be on price alone.

See QF vs VA.

 

[williamsf1]

This is probably more of a rant than anything....

I am based in Brisbane, so not sure if it is the same out of other cities, but VA seems to be stupidly expensive on the BNE-DPSvv route.

A discount fare on VA is high $400's and a JQ discount Y is about $250

J on VA is only just short of $1k and JQ is about $550. So even as a SG on VA it is hard to pass up JQ J for the sake of a little extra coin.

VA really do not have the better product, they have a Domestic 737 vs a Dreamliner, they both use domestic style J.

And now with GA pulling the pin on BNE-DPS I don't have much hope for things to get better any time soon

Hell even VA agent rates are more expensive than normal JQ fares FFS

Be careful what you wish for ....TT may be taking over soon ..... then you only have JQ and TT ......

 

[Zerosignal]

Same from Melbourne JQ 'business class' on 787 is less than economy on VA in a 737.

I am a VA platinum and obviously the status credits would be nice but it the difference in comfort on the flight for the same price would probably swing me around to flying JQ...

 

[anat0l]

Seems like VA can charge that much and still turn a coin on the route. They would be foolish to keep it that high if they didn't make the route work at all, particularly as it's a standard short haul aircraft and not say an A330 or B777.

The JQ Business fare (without Max bundle) doesn't include lounge access, points or status credits. Rather marked difference from the VA J fare, though I guess it's up to you to decide whether the differential in cash makes it worth it or not.

Finally, if popular AFF opinion is to be believed, only bogans and idiots fly Jetstar.

 

[Zerosignal]

VA J Fare is $1,100 vs $550 on JQ or $750 with lounge access (I can buy myself something pretty good for $200 so unlikely to require lounge access).

It is a shame really I would rather fly VA given they get most of my business.

 

[smit0847]

I don't understand how VA survives on the DPS routes (and I don't just mean BNE). Say what you will about JQ - for an LCC they do DPS very well. Why would you pay a premium for a 737 route with confusing inclusions?
If you want full service go GA, if you want a cheap price go JQ. VA offer neither.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Geez, I hope that VA don't put TT on this route or, if they do, at least retain some flights on VA metal. I'm a loyal VA customer who likes that they're making moves to compete more with QF. Not all of us like to fly LCC on tourist routes, and I really don't want to have to change over to QF and their alliances if I can help it.

 

[docjames]

Geez, I hope that VA don't put TT on this route or, if they do, at least retain some flights on VA metal. I'm a loyal VA customer who likes that they're making moves to compete more with QF. Not all of us like to fly LCC on tourist routes, and I really don't want to have to change over to QF and their alliances if I can help it.

I didn't think the A320 had the legs to make it nonstop to DPS from east coast? In which case that's an issue for Tiger to take over (unless they have a tech stop in DRW). But i guess that's plausible if the price is right....

 

[theevilmuppet]

I didn't think the A320 had the legs to make it nonstop to DPS from east coast? In which case that's an issue for Tiger to take over (unless they have a tech stop in DRW). But i guess that's plausible if the price is right....

It seems VA don't do non-stop from the east coast to DPS for the most part. From Brisbane, they do on a B737 (specifically a 738).

With that in mind, the A320 has slightly greater range

Seemingly the majority of VA flights are 2 stop (with an A330/B737 to PER followed by a B737 to DPS), with JQ either leveraging QF excess capacity to PER and then shunting people onto an A320 to DPS. There are a number of single-stop JQ flights from the east coast leveraging the B787 JQ fleet, perhaps exploiting the cost efficiency of that craft.

All that said, it is amusing that J on VA is less expensive on 2 stop flights, but all other classes are more expensive on the 1 stop.

EDIT: That observation isn't always true - checking a few more dates shows it changes depending on date.

 

[serfty]

...
Finally, if popular AFF opinion is to be believed, only bogans and idiots fly Jetstar.

I wouldn't say 'popular AFF opinion' - I'd put it the realm of 'regularly expressed' often by a 'certain few'.

I certainly do not agree with such a generalisation.

 

[burmans]

Finally, if popular AFF opinion is to be believed, only bogans and idiots fly Jetstar.

One particular person expressing that opinion repetitively do not make it popular IMO.

 

[bubblyguy]

It seems VA don't do non-stop from the east coast to DPS for the most part. From Brisbane, they do on a B737 (specifically a 738).

With that in mind, the A320 has slightly greater range

Seemingly the majority of VA flights are 2 stop (with an A330/B737 to PER followed by a B737 to DPS), with JQ either leveraging QF excess capacity to PER and then shunting people onto an A320 to DPS. There are a number of single-stop JQ flights from the east coast leveraging the B787 JQ fleet, perhaps exploiting the cost efficiency of that craft.

All that said, it is amusing that J on VA is less expensive on 2 stop flights, but all other classes are more expensive on the 1 stop.

EDIT: That observation isn't always true - checking a few more dates shows it changes depending on date.

VA have daily services from ADL, BNE, MEL, PER and SYD to DPS and on some days 2 services from the one city so saying most flights are multi stop is wrong. Connections are available, yes, but most people fly direct.

Also you may like to know the 738 can fly further with a heavier payload. Empty planes are great but usually they are full. TT A320s would only be able to do ADL and PER to DPS, they wouldn't be able to do the east coast to DPS.

 

[jaspon]

If you want full service go GA, if you want a cheap price go JQ. VA offer neither.

lets not forget that VA offers a included hot meal and free beer, wine, soft drinks etc for all pax, to DPS from all ports

 

[Quickstatus]

Finally, if popular AFF opinion is to be believed, only bogans and idiots fly Jetstar.

And WP/WP1 who fly NoStar departing from SYD Int to get access to F Lounge. WP/WP1 status does not mean they are any less bogan.

 

[docjames]

Will the 737max have the legs for SYD-DPS, MEL-DPS with economic load?

VA have a sizable number of these on order and would make them more competitive if able to offer nonstop from SYD/MEL/BNE with decent payloads.

ISTR the 738s are currently payload limited on BNE-DPS (at times of the year leaving a significant number of seats vacant).

 

[serfty]

...

ISTR the 738s are currently payload limited on BNE-DPS (at times of the year leaving a significant number of seats vacant).

The Virgin Australia fleet | Virgin Australia

The Max range expressed on the web site is 5449 km; whether that's at MAX load I cant say. BNE-DPS is 4489km.

 

[docjames]

The Virgin Australia fleet | Virgin Australia

The Max range expressed on the web site is 5449 km; whether that's at MAX load I cant say. BNE-DPS is 4489km.

Went looking at old threads eg.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....in-australia-velocity/mel-dps-in-j-45318.html


And played with gcmap.com

Great Circle Mapper

Albeit the gcmap doesnt allow for air corridor routings or prevailing winds etc.