VAustralia New Routes

[Mstr Caution]

The idea is not to fill a B777 with JNB-LAX pax, you would fill the plane with :
JNB-PER
JNB-SYD
PER-SYD
PER-LAX
SYD-LAX

But the punters will also have options too:

JNB-PER
As A380 deliveries arrive, capacity is freed up on the 744 to explore routes where other opportunities exist or competion exist.

JNB-SYD Direct services available on QF as opposed to via Perth.

PER-SYD Have you seen how much transcontinental capacity there is these days.

PER-LAX - Options of flying with the QF via Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane as an alternate to the Sydney only option with greater frequencies.

SYD-LAX - The Roo's got that covered as well.

[drshmoo]

Gotta think outside the square, unless you're involved with QANTAS

Really - thats cause we are too busy making money

[7378FE]

Really - thats cause we are too busy making money

Maybe it's because QF are busy screwing the public with thier fares, funny how they came down once V Australia came in to the arena

[Mstr Caution]

Fares have been comming down in general, long before V Australia came on the scene. I recall reading recently that airfares were the cheapest in something like 17 years. Havent V Aus only been on the scene for 8 or 9 years?

The aviation environment in Australia is quite different from that of the cosy duoply of Australian Airlines/TAA & Ansett of old.

I applaud V Australia if their out there to provide travel to the aussie public for the lowest possible fare. Maybe they should focus on making more money then friends.

[SIDS N STARS]

Gotta think outside the square, unless you're involved with QANTAS

From what i've seen/heard, VA is nothing more than a hybrid concept of CX and EK.... which is where their head honchos were previously.

No imagination, no originality. (except for the Ts & Cs..that was unique)

[Fatguyinalittlecoat]

Maybe JNB-LAX via Aus isn't the quickest, but with a bit of clever marketing (Stopovers in Australia) and competitive fares, it could attract a few punters to this route.

Of course it could, but a few punters will not make it a success. Qantas could do it 1 stop. What would happen if they had a bit of clever marketing?

I fell like singing "Blinded by the light.............................."

Good Luck.

[Grogbog]

Just read these two articles. It seems to be common opinion that times are going to be tough for V Aus. And with Emirates about to operate the A380 on the SYD-AKL route it's going to be tight for trans tasman operators.

Price war tipped as V Australia prepares for launch | Travel News | News.com.au

Emirates A380 to arrive in New Zealand | Travel News | News.com.au

[KRUSTY 34]

So Heather Jeffery (Vigin Blue public relations chief) says,

"We know we could have not chosen a worse time to launch, but (we) are realistic about our position and the environment we are in,..." An Oxymoron if ever I read one!

Realistic about our position! Lady, I don't think so!

[Led Zeppelin]

Krusty -

What else would you expect from someone in PR. Spin doctoring at its' finest.

Something has to be making them to go ahead with this flight to economic purgatory.

Would they not have been better to bin it earlier and wear the adverse public perception, which would have evaporated over time. Unless there is a miraculous economic recovery, it's on the cards it will happen anyway.

Now they're risking everything. Bizarre.

[jetblues]

Costing $20 million a month from one report

[Going Boeing]

At best, 3 years to break even according to the analysts, boy, with United, Qantas and Delta competing with V Aus, 3 years without a profit, and VB propping them up for three years, it just doesnt look good.

Don't forget that American Airlines also operates the route via code share with Qantas. Their huge North American network provides an excellent feeder service for QF's trans Pacific flights.

[coaldemon]

If it was $20 mill a month VB would have had to report a change in profit/Loss to the Market. Sounds like a good story though

[ANstar]

Don't forget that American Airlines also operates the route via code share with Qantas. Their huge North American network provides an excellent feeder service for QF's trans Pacific flights.

And Continental one pass frequent flyer's can currently earn & burn on Qantas - so I preusme this is some more bsuiness that QF will lose (and UA will gain).

[B772]

Slight drift but Virgin America have lost AU$270M over the last 9 months. With the US heading towards a technical depression it will be interesting to see if the backers have 'deep pockets'.

[hotnhigh]

It's great to see the pilots that are moving back and forth to the states organising deliveries, are all taking it for the team and getting around economy.

[oldhasbeen]

Do they have a choice??

[max autobrakes]

No choice ,because jetstar don't fly there yet!

[Transition Layer]

"Taking one for the team" is how I'd describe VAustralia's paltry pay and conditions.

[Arctaurus]

Taking one right up the khyber is how I'd describe it.

[7378FE]

Geez, get over it.

VA is happening, there have been many threads on PPrune on the issue of V Australia not happening which went along the following themes :

It won't happen.
It can't happen.
They won't get the crews with those T&C.
etc. etc

Well on Monday the 9th it is happening when the 1st aircraft arrives in SYD.

If all you grizzerlers on this forum are so concerned head out to the airport on Monday and grizzel there to the VA management.

Wonder how many will turn up? I'll put my house on none.

Either put up or shut up.