V Australia Product Launch
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: All over
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
V Australia Product Launch
Daily Virgin flights from Sydney to LA
Email Print Normal font Large font March 31, 2008 - 10:35AM
Advertisement
The Virgin Blue Group has launched a premium, three class international airline, V Australia, with a daily direct route between Sydney and Los Angeles.
"The trans-Pacific route is in dire need of competition and a good shake-up and that's a challenge we are always keen to take on," Virgin Blue founder Sir Richard Branson said in Sydney on Monday.
"The launch of V Australia means the Virgin Group for the first time will offer a global network of airlines that allows travellers to fly worldwide on Virgin airlines that all share the same vision and commitment to safety, service, fun and flair."
The launch of V Australia will be the first time there has been a second Australian airline competing on the trans-Pacific route.
The launch comes after the Australian and US governments reached an open skies agreement, allowing Australian and US-owned airlines to fly freely between the two countries.
Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey said V Australia would offer three classes of travel - Business, Premium Economy and Economy.
"V Australia's focus on space, comfort and entertainment, coupled with Virgin Blue's renowned customer service will stand the airline in good stead to compete with the region's best carriers, with the added bonus of lowering the fares," he said.
V Australia will include full service features such as complimentary meals and beverages and "generous" seating.
V Australia says it also will be the only airline on the trans-Pacific route to offer the latest in-flight technology in all cabins so passengers can send and receive SMS text messages and receive emails using GPRS devices such as BlackBerrys and mobile phones.
V Australia says it will set up its Australian operations in Sydney, at a total coast of $44 million.
"V Australia Airlines is a multi-billion dollar investment for the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines and it's not one we have taken lightly," Mr Godfrey said.
"Today's announcements are the first of many and we have every intention of bringing revolutionary change not just to the trans-Pacific route but across the region."
The new Sydney-LA route will begin on December 15, 2008.
© 2008 AAP
Email Print Normal font Large font March 31, 2008 - 10:35AM
Advertisement
The Virgin Blue Group has launched a premium, three class international airline, V Australia, with a daily direct route between Sydney and Los Angeles.
"The trans-Pacific route is in dire need of competition and a good shake-up and that's a challenge we are always keen to take on," Virgin Blue founder Sir Richard Branson said in Sydney on Monday.
"The launch of V Australia means the Virgin Group for the first time will offer a global network of airlines that allows travellers to fly worldwide on Virgin airlines that all share the same vision and commitment to safety, service, fun and flair."
The launch of V Australia will be the first time there has been a second Australian airline competing on the trans-Pacific route.
The launch comes after the Australian and US governments reached an open skies agreement, allowing Australian and US-owned airlines to fly freely between the two countries.
Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey said V Australia would offer three classes of travel - Business, Premium Economy and Economy.
"V Australia's focus on space, comfort and entertainment, coupled with Virgin Blue's renowned customer service will stand the airline in good stead to compete with the region's best carriers, with the added bonus of lowering the fares," he said.
V Australia will include full service features such as complimentary meals and beverages and "generous" seating.
V Australia says it also will be the only airline on the trans-Pacific route to offer the latest in-flight technology in all cabins so passengers can send and receive SMS text messages and receive emails using GPRS devices such as BlackBerrys and mobile phones.
V Australia says it will set up its Australian operations in Sydney, at a total coast of $44 million.
"V Australia Airlines is a multi-billion dollar investment for the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines and it's not one we have taken lightly," Mr Godfrey said.
"Today's announcements are the first of many and we have every intention of bringing revolutionary change not just to the trans-Pacific route but across the region."
The new Sydney-LA route will begin on December 15, 2008.
© 2008 AAP
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: australia
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Branson quote
V Australia will have the newest aircraft and the best pilots, yadda yadda.
The best pilots will not come at the prices indicated thus far.
V Australia will be paying the lowest take home pay of virtually
any B777 operator on earth.
Perhaps Sir Richard will be sending his B777's into space, which
would then qualify them as the best pilots off earth.
Sorry I'm confused, there's so much hype in the world nowdays.
V Australia will have the newest aircraft and the best pilots, yadda yadda.
The best pilots will not come at the prices indicated thus far.
V Australia will be paying the lowest take home pay of virtually
any B777 operator on earth.
Perhaps Sir Richard will be sending his B777's into space, which
would then qualify them as the best pilots off earth.
Sorry I'm confused, there's so much hype in the world nowdays.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: US
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
.....?
tell me it aint true........................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ ...........
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If the base pay I was told is correct, I suspect the expat Australians, endorsed and otherwise, will be staying away in droves.
Underwhelming, to say the least.
I suspect there'll be a lot of "itzapleazures" over the airwaves from Kanga flights, 'cos the poor bloody Yapeas want out of SA at any price and will take whatever's on offer.
Underwhelming, to say the least.
I suspect there'll be a lot of "itzapleazures" over the airwaves from Kanga flights, 'cos the poor bloody Yapeas want out of SA at any price and will take whatever's on offer.
Sprucegoose
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Was also resident on page 13, but now I'm lost in Cyberspace....
Age: 59
Posts: 3,485
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
If the base pay I was told is correct, I suspect the expat Australians, endorsed and otherwise, will be staying away in droves.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: asia
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Very true Hughesy, unfortunately ( for Oz aviation ) plenty of widebody drivers in this part of the world that have made their fortune and ready to head home for early retirement. ( when I say retirement, referring to the pension type pay, not the roster 
)
)
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: sydney
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"dire need of competition and a good shake up"
I agree that competition is a good thing but Virgin group historically poaches profitable routes rather than 'saving' the public as claimed ( LHR-JFK, LHR-HKG-SYD and now SYD-LAX)...i.e. let the incumbent airlines wear the risk of route development then Virgin comes along to poach and skim the fat. Next they'll be 'saving' us on SYD-JNB......why not SYD-NGO or KIX, oh that's right they're not profitable routes!..no competition needed there huh!?
It's all spin Ladies and Gentlemen
I agree that competition is a good thing but Virgin group historically poaches profitable routes rather than 'saving' the public as claimed ( LHR-JFK, LHR-HKG-SYD and now SYD-LAX)...i.e. let the incumbent airlines wear the risk of route development then Virgin comes along to poach and skim the fat. Next they'll be 'saving' us on SYD-JNB......why not SYD-NGO or KIX, oh that's right they're not profitable routes!..no competition needed there huh!?
It's all spin Ladies and Gentlemen
request deferred
Agree with your post. In addition, Virgin Atlantic is doing very nicely on the London-Shanghai route and has extensively lobbied the British Government to prevent any new operators on the route - in particular Qantas, despite being given rights Hong Kong to Sydney. Their lobbying has been very successful to the extent that the recent Open Skies agreement between Britain and Australia had one significant exclusion ie routes via China to Britain.
Branson would have to be the best spin doctor in the world.
Agree with your post. In addition, Virgin Atlantic is doing very nicely on the London-Shanghai route and has extensively lobbied the British Government to prevent any new operators on the route - in particular Qantas, despite being given rights Hong Kong to Sydney. Their lobbying has been very successful to the extent that the recent Open Skies agreement between Britain and Australia had one significant exclusion ie routes via China to Britain.
Branson would have to be the best spin doctor in the world.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NSW, Australia
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've heard that at the Cruise FO interviews when candidates are asking about upgrades they are being told they can expect to transfer to B737 or EMB170 domestic fleet as FO's rather than upgrade on the B777.
Watch the fine print carefully, and note Q & A carefully.
By the way domestic crew are hearing zip at present.
Watch the fine print carefully, and note Q & A carefully.
By the way domestic crew are hearing zip at present.
Join Date: Oct 1998
Location: Australia
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Under the terms of the current domestic EBA I'd say that is not a given. Though space may be made for SO's in the 737/E-Jet fleet, they will then be competeing with the rest of the VB pilots for a 777 right/left seat. Of course having said that there may not be much competition if the T&C's are not good and they won't be.
Remember VB and V Oz are two seperate companies and VB pilots only have a letter/deed of agreement that allows SOME pilots to go across to the 777. Having been forced to produced this letter for the EBA agreement VB will simply manage the flow of pilots wanting to go to the 777 by making the conditions so poor for 777 flying that many of us will just stay where we are as it won't be worth it, deed or no deed.
Remember VB and V Oz are two seperate companies and VB pilots only have a letter/deed of agreement that allows SOME pilots to go across to the 777. Having been forced to produced this letter for the EBA agreement VB will simply manage the flow of pilots wanting to go to the 777 by making the conditions so poor for 777 flying that many of us will just stay where we are as it won't be worth it, deed or no deed.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: I'veBeenEverywhereMan
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
5 Posts
Whether or not it is a given, I can absolutely confirm that at the current interviews JFOs are being told by those interviewing they WILL be moving to the EMBs as FOs for experience for a period as yet unknown. Weather this means they then stay there to get initial commands on the EMB/737 who knows? All this is news though to VB flight OPS who didn't even know this is what is being told to prospective pilots.
In the end though if Management told VB FLT ops they will take them in as FOs then I would think they will have no choice in the matter. Nothing in the current EBA stops the introduction of new FOs from anywhere.
In the end though if Management told VB FLT ops they will take them in as FOs then I would think they will have no choice in the matter. Nothing in the current EBA stops the introduction of new FOs from anywhere.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Roguesville, cloud cuckooland
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes
on
5 Posts
I was told the rate for a cruise F/O was 40k p.a. for CPL only, rising to 60K for pilots with an ATPL.
Considering a QF S/O can be on twice that or more in a relatively short time after joining the company, who is going to put up their hands for V Australia?
QF rejects maybe?
Considering a QF S/O can be on twice that or more in a relatively short time after joining the company, who is going to put up their hands for V Australia?
QF rejects maybe?
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Secret base in Hoth...
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was told the rate for a cruise F/O was 40k p.a. for CPL only, rising to 60K for pilots with an ATPL.
Considering a QF S/O can be on twice that or more in a relatively short time after joining the company, who is going to put up their hands for V Australia?
QF rejects maybe?
Considering a QF S/O can be on twice that or more in a relatively short time after joining the company, who is going to put up their hands for V Australia?
QF rejects maybe?
"well my little johnny is an airline pilot"
For $40k/yr they can have their jet job! I get paid more flying around in S/E bug-smashers! Ohh and im actually flying as well!
CMN
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: uranus
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Request Deferred and Going Boeing
Clearly you guys are new to the industry. You should get a copy of the textbook, "How to building an Airline in a regulated, no competition environment", writed by Qantas.
It covers such topics as 'The two airline policy" and "Ansett can be an International carrier as long as it doesnt fly anywhere that Qantas does"
Clearly you guys are new to the industry. You should get a copy of the textbook, "How to building an Airline in a regulated, no competition environment", writed by Qantas.
It covers such topics as 'The two airline policy" and "Ansett can be an International carrier as long as it doesnt fly anywhere that Qantas does"
Did anyone ask the interview panel why a VOZ second officer cannot simply be upgraded to F/O on the 777 when the time arrives?
I mean, isn't that what every other airline does?
I mean, isn't that what every other airline does?