As reported in Airline Transport World last week . . . looks like non-stop flights to London and New York are being considered (see
bold/italics below – my emphasis).
Borghetti to lead long-haul era at Virgin Blue
Wednesday March 3, 2010
Airline Transport World
By Geoffrey Thomas
In a clear sign that it is moving its product offering up-market, Virgin Blue yesterday confirmed widespread speculation and appointed former Qantas Executive GM John Borghetti, 54, to take the reins from retiring founder and CEO Brett Godfrey.
Borghetti, who will take over in May, would not discuss his plans when asked by ATWOnline, but it is widely believed he will endorse a plan to buy 777-200LRs for the group's V Australia subsidiary in order to launch non-stop Perth-London Heathrow and Sydney-New York JFK service. LHR-SYD also is a possibility (ATWOnline, Nov. 6, 2009).
Qantas examined the concept in 2005 but decided against it since the aircraft would have been a new model in its fleet. V Australia, however, is a 777-300ER operator, has six options to exercise and could take delivery of a -200LR next year.
One analyst told this website that the ultra-long-range concept would be a "perfect fit" for Borghetti and Virgin Blue. "Non-stops are what Australian business traffic wants and Qantas will not be able to match V Australia. It will give them a clear point of difference going forward," the Sydney-based analyst said.
Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson, who is Blue's largest shareholder, has told ATWOnline that he has "serious interest" in operating non-stop between LHR and Perth and that the service almost certainly would be a joint V Australia/Virgin Atlantic Airways flight.
At Qantas, Borghetti developed one of the world's best domestic economy products and it is expected that he will reshape Blue's domestic offering with an upgraded and dedicated premium economy aimed at the corporate market as the airline strives to capture more high-yield traffic. He resigned from QF last May (ATWOnline, April 8, 2009).
According to Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation Chairman Peter Harbison, "Yield management is an art and [Borghetti] is an artist. Borghetti is a positive for Virgin Blue."
Godfrey told this website last week that the airline will start taking delivery of 50 737NGs next year. Aircraft will feature three economy cabins--premium economy, economy and economy lite. The latter option will feature less legroom and is designed to compete with budget carriers (ATWOnline, Nov. 6, 2009).