Virgin Australia positive move.
Well good people, Virgin domestic seems to have done themselves a really big favour in the last month.
They have migrated into the Sabre reservations system and as a leech on the bum of the industry myself, I can advise that it is a huge step into acceptability. This also means they are freely available in all othe major GDS operations like Amadeus and galileo etc.
Simply, what it means is that an Agent can get an accurate comparison between VA and QF over competitive routes where JQ offers comparitive fares that are accurate as a Russian watch movement due to their "offline" status in the GDS. Ticket issuance takes seconds as does accountin functions.
One can now make a VA booking in 10% of the time it takes on the suckful web engine, allocate regular seats without cost and be guaranteed of the quoted fare providing the booking is finalised within the system "hang time" which is usually 5 minutes or so.
Group negotiated commission (low though it is) can be claimed at source. One downside there is the fare levels haven't been thought out very well as almost all accounting systems have to be modified by a single cent when the BSP report comes in as they round up/down randomly.
I made a booking today for a lady LST SYD BNK with her cat as well. I was amazed over 2 calls to get Australian call centre staff both times, have them recognise the SSR AVIH entry indicating animal for hold and be swiftly put through to the dude who could ensure the puss was booked on and space was available.
This may seem trivial and admin is free to delete it if deemed proper to do so, but to me it indicates that VA has grown up. The other Agents in town I have spoken to are all saying just how much easier it is to offer Virgin to the point of ignoring Jetstar and not even offering them if the quote the GDS provides is within $20-30. The Jetstar GDS quote is seldom accurate and opening their website and fighting your way through to get a price is as much fun as pulling hair out of your nose.
So - good move Virgin Australia and be aware that you have made yourself 200% more saleable than Jetstar.
Maybe this may sink into the heads at JQ, but I have my doubts.
The day will come - the hard way I feel.
Thanks for indulging this. Asd a critic of LCCs in general for years, I thought it only fair that if I found a massive positive I should be balanced and award praise where due.
Best all
EWL