V Australia applies for access to FIJI
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Currently - Virgin Blue, Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue and V Australia.
Is this the start of a 2 brand strategy?
I can see the men at the Village thinking about re-branding Pacific Blue as V Australia?
Makes it easier for the sales team...
Is this the start of a 2 brand strategy?
I can see the men at the Village thinking about re-branding Pacific Blue as V Australia?
Makes it easier for the sales team...
For the Syd aircraft, a Nandi return is very tight for the 8pm dept to LAX, this leaves no room for a delay. There is however, room at the LAX end to either absorb a delay or re-time dept out of LAX to an earlier time.
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Having looked over flight times for the 747 on the Syd-Fiji route the proposal seemed workable to me if they kept the turnaround times tight, particulary in Fiji.
Given the 773 is geared up for trans Pacific where they serve two meals, would it be possible to load the catering for both Fiji legs in Sydney and hence have a max 1 hr turnouround in Fiji. If they do buy on board the catering and hence turnaround should be a lot quicker than they currently do for the 773 when its going to LAX.
Also if they don't handle cargo to Fiji they will be able to keep turnaround fast.
Given the 773 is geared up for trans Pacific where they serve two meals, would it be possible to load the catering for both Fiji legs in Sydney and hence have a max 1 hr turnouround in Fiji. If they do buy on board the catering and hence turnaround should be a lot quicker than they currently do for the 773 when its going to LAX.
Also if they don't handle cargo to Fiji they will be able to keep turnaround fast.
Last edited by windytown; 16th Aug 2009 at 09:21.
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Farrari
Thanks for the reply. I had a second look at the times and as you say it should all be fine without major delays.
I guess items like the reduced catering needs (vs long haul) should help ensure they have some slack to recovery should any delays occur.
Now I wonder where the Pac BLue 738 will go instead. Plenty of gaps in the frequency between Sydney and some NZ ports which could be filled in if demand improves (eg Wgn, ZQN).
Cheers
Thanks for the reply. I had a second look at the times and as you say it should all be fine without major delays.
I guess items like the reduced catering needs (vs long haul) should help ensure they have some slack to recovery should any delays occur.
Now I wonder where the Pac BLue 738 will go instead. Plenty of gaps in the frequency between Sydney and some NZ ports which could be filled in if demand improves (eg Wgn, ZQN).
Cheers
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It is easy to trim the schedule between VA2 - VA1 to fit in a Fiji return, as the aircraft currently spends more than 6 hours on the ground at LAX.
Depart VA1 out of SYD at 21:00 (rather than 20:00) and time departure of VA2 from LAX to SYD to 23:00 local LA time to be on the ground in SYD 6:30.
That leaves a window of 13.5 hours to do SYD-NAN-SYD.
A block time of just over 4 Hours each way - piece of cake!
I hear that Pac Bro's load factor have been very good on this run and yield satisfactory, so why the heck not?
Depart VA1 out of SYD at 21:00 (rather than 20:00) and time departure of VA2 from LAX to SYD to 23:00 local LA time to be on the ground in SYD 6:30.
That leaves a window of 13.5 hours to do SYD-NAN-SYD.
A block time of just over 4 Hours each way - piece of cake!
I hear that Pac Bro's load factor have been very good on this run and yield satisfactory, so why the heck not?
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Just had a look at BTRE website. For May 09 Pac Blue did 67 return flights between OZ ports and Fiji. Average load was 65.6% in and 67.6% out but they don't list the split by city and I don't know how weight limited they would be. In March 09 loads were around 73% which is good.
Outbound to Indonesia was an impressive 82% and in 76.5% in May so I wonder if that hints at where some more capacity may be heading. Loads trans Tasman were mid 50s in May and around 71% in March and so I wouldn't expect inceased frequency on established trans tasman routes.
Outbound to Indonesia was an impressive 82% and in 76.5% in May so I wonder if that hints at where some more capacity may be heading. Loads trans Tasman were mid 50s in May and around 71% in March and so I wouldn't expect inceased frequency on established trans tasman routes.
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V AUSTRALIA SECOND PHASE EXPANSION - TUK TUK OFF TO THAILAND OR SAFARI IN SOUTH AFRICA!
LAUNCH FARES ON SALE 2.00PM TODAY
BRAND NEW INTERNATIONAL ROUTES AND DESTINATIONS FOR V AUSTRALIA
THAILAND, SOUTH AFRICA, LOS ANGELES
$399* ONE WAY “TUK TUK TO THAILAND” FARES* EX BRISBANE AND MELBOURNE
$1899 “FAR OUT SAFARI ” RETURN FARES* EX MELBOURNE
Monday 17 August 2009: Australia’s new international airline V Australia today announced Phuket and Johannesburg as its next two destinations along with a strengthened focus on Melbourne just six months after launch. Four new V Australia routes to commence from December onwards^ include:
Brisbane to Phuket, Thailand direct twice weekly from 22 November 2009.
Melbourne to Phuket, Thailand direct flights 1 a week from 3 December 2009.
Melbourne to Los Angeles, USA direct flights twice weekly from 1 December 2009.
Melbourne to Johannesburg, South Africa direct flights from 13 March 2010.
The airline has also lodged an application with the International Air Services Commission for permission and slots to operate flights between Australia and Fiji.
To celebrate the extra destinations of Phuket and Johannesburg, special launch fares go on sale from 2.00pm today on the airline’s website starting from $399* one way to Phuket and $1899* return to Johannesburg from Melbourne. Special launch fares for International Business Class are also available from $1499 one way to Phuket and $5999 return to Johannesburg. International Premium Economy fares are available from $899 one way to Phuket and $2999 return to Johannesburg. All fares are fully inclusive of taxes and surcharges.
Virgin Blue Airlines Group Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, ‘We believe our new destinations offer very exciting opportunities.”
“Travellers outbound will experience Australian aviation at its best to the USA, Thailand and South Africa and we have high hopes for inbound tourism as we work with partners in our new markets to help develop traffic into Australia via Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.”
“V Australia will be the only airline to offer direct flights from Brisbane to Phuket and Melbourne to Phuket, as well as from Melbourne to South Africa. The March launch of Jo’burg flights will be just in time for fans travelling to South Africa to cheer on the Socceroos at the Soccer (FIFA) World Cup,” he added.
Connecting flights will be available from other key Australian ports to both Johannesburg and Phuket.
V Australia, a member of the Virgin Blue Airlines group launched in February on the Sydney-Los Angeles route and commenced operations between Brisbane-Los Angeles in April this year.
The airline is set to take delivery of its fourth Boeing 777-300ER aircraft configured in a three class configuration.
V Australia has been an instant hit with air travellers both here and in the USA due to its blend of Virgin service and a fresh take on fully inclusive, premium airline travel at consistently affordable fares.
Feedback surveys show the airline’s favourite features to be the three class airline’s sit down bar in Business Class, fully lie-flat beds, “Red” the user friendly individual in-flight entertainment system across all cabins, twilight sky on the cabin roof, piped music and elegant Aussie wallpaper in the bathrooms and the genuinely friendly service of a proud V Australia crew.
For full details on the schedules for the new routes, log on to V Australia is a full service airline of the Virgin Blue Airlines group. Find cheap flights and best airfare deals in the USA and Australia.
^ Subject to Government and regulatory approval
* All fares are for flights booked on the internet or $50 more when booked by phone. Fares are inclusive of all taxes, fees and charges and subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or peak times. A credit card surcharge of an additional $15 per person per booking is applicable. The sale fares are on sale until 31 August 2009 or until sold out and for travel from 13 March 2010 to 31 May 2010 (Johannesburg) and 22 November to 17 December 2009 & 15 January to 31 May 2010 (Phuket) For V Australia bookings log on to V Australia is a full service airline of the Virgin Blue Airlines group. Find cheap flights and best airfare deals in the USA and Australia. or phone our award winning Guest Contact Centre on 13 8287 or contact a travel agent. Note: For Guests booking via a travel agent or travel management company, these new routes will be visible in the GDS system within the next 7 days.
About V Australia and Virgin Blue: V Australia is a three class boutique style airline offering the acclaimed service for which the Virgin Blue Group is renowned and a unique Australian style. On board the airline’s brand new 361-seat 777-300ER aircraft, configuration includes Business Class cabin with 33 fully lie-flat beds, Premium Economy with 40 International Club seats and 288 International Economy seats. All cabins offer the Red, state-of-the-art personal seat back entertainment, seat to seat 'chat' or competition connectivity. The airline also has two in-flight bars, mood lighting including twilight and sunset, bathrooms with piped music including a "ladies only" bathroom and other touches of Australiana from salt and pepper shakers to hidden wallpaper murals
LAUNCH FARES ON SALE 2.00PM TODAY
BRAND NEW INTERNATIONAL ROUTES AND DESTINATIONS FOR V AUSTRALIA
THAILAND, SOUTH AFRICA, LOS ANGELES
$399* ONE WAY “TUK TUK TO THAILAND” FARES* EX BRISBANE AND MELBOURNE
$1899 “FAR OUT SAFARI ” RETURN FARES* EX MELBOURNE
Monday 17 August 2009: Australia’s new international airline V Australia today announced Phuket and Johannesburg as its next two destinations along with a strengthened focus on Melbourne just six months after launch. Four new V Australia routes to commence from December onwards^ include:
Brisbane to Phuket, Thailand direct twice weekly from 22 November 2009.
Melbourne to Phuket, Thailand direct flights 1 a week from 3 December 2009.
Melbourne to Los Angeles, USA direct flights twice weekly from 1 December 2009.
Melbourne to Johannesburg, South Africa direct flights from 13 March 2010.
The airline has also lodged an application with the International Air Services Commission for permission and slots to operate flights between Australia and Fiji.
To celebrate the extra destinations of Phuket and Johannesburg, special launch fares go on sale from 2.00pm today on the airline’s website starting from $399* one way to Phuket and $1899* return to Johannesburg from Melbourne. Special launch fares for International Business Class are also available from $1499 one way to Phuket and $5999 return to Johannesburg. International Premium Economy fares are available from $899 one way to Phuket and $2999 return to Johannesburg. All fares are fully inclusive of taxes and surcharges.
Virgin Blue Airlines Group Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, ‘We believe our new destinations offer very exciting opportunities.”
“Travellers outbound will experience Australian aviation at its best to the USA, Thailand and South Africa and we have high hopes for inbound tourism as we work with partners in our new markets to help develop traffic into Australia via Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.”
“V Australia will be the only airline to offer direct flights from Brisbane to Phuket and Melbourne to Phuket, as well as from Melbourne to South Africa. The March launch of Jo’burg flights will be just in time for fans travelling to South Africa to cheer on the Socceroos at the Soccer (FIFA) World Cup,” he added.
Connecting flights will be available from other key Australian ports to both Johannesburg and Phuket.
V Australia, a member of the Virgin Blue Airlines group launched in February on the Sydney-Los Angeles route and commenced operations between Brisbane-Los Angeles in April this year.
The airline is set to take delivery of its fourth Boeing 777-300ER aircraft configured in a three class configuration.
V Australia has been an instant hit with air travellers both here and in the USA due to its blend of Virgin service and a fresh take on fully inclusive, premium airline travel at consistently affordable fares.
Feedback surveys show the airline’s favourite features to be the three class airline’s sit down bar in Business Class, fully lie-flat beds, “Red” the user friendly individual in-flight entertainment system across all cabins, twilight sky on the cabin roof, piped music and elegant Aussie wallpaper in the bathrooms and the genuinely friendly service of a proud V Australia crew.
For full details on the schedules for the new routes, log on to V Australia is a full service airline of the Virgin Blue Airlines group. Find cheap flights and best airfare deals in the USA and Australia.
^ Subject to Government and regulatory approval
* All fares are for flights booked on the internet or $50 more when booked by phone. Fares are inclusive of all taxes, fees and charges and subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or peak times. A credit card surcharge of an additional $15 per person per booking is applicable. The sale fares are on sale until 31 August 2009 or until sold out and for travel from 13 March 2010 to 31 May 2010 (Johannesburg) and 22 November to 17 December 2009 & 15 January to 31 May 2010 (Phuket) For V Australia bookings log on to V Australia is a full service airline of the Virgin Blue Airlines group. Find cheap flights and best airfare deals in the USA and Australia. or phone our award winning Guest Contact Centre on 13 8287 or contact a travel agent. Note: For Guests booking via a travel agent or travel management company, these new routes will be visible in the GDS system within the next 7 days.
About V Australia and Virgin Blue: V Australia is a three class boutique style airline offering the acclaimed service for which the Virgin Blue Group is renowned and a unique Australian style. On board the airline’s brand new 361-seat 777-300ER aircraft, configuration includes Business Class cabin with 33 fully lie-flat beds, Premium Economy with 40 International Club seats and 288 International Economy seats. All cabins offer the Red, state-of-the-art personal seat back entertainment, seat to seat 'chat' or competition connectivity. The airline also has two in-flight bars, mood lighting including twilight and sunset, bathrooms with piped music including a "ladies only" bathroom and other touches of Australiana from salt and pepper shakers to hidden wallpaper murals
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on to V Australia is a full service airline of the Virgin Blue Airlines group.
Interesting that they descibe V Aust as the "full service airline" when announcing these new routes. It hints at Fiji getting full service when they shift to VA from Pac Blue.
With recent media releases about Trans-Tasman shifting closer to domestic the need for a 'full service' product on the Tasman drops hence its probably better to put the 773 on a more 'international' route. Also if the do shift some Tasman flying to domestic terminals (and domestic service level expectations) it makes sense to use Pac Blue 738
Interesting that they descibe V Aust as the "full service airline" when announcing these new routes. It hints at Fiji getting full service when they shift to VA from Pac Blue.
With recent media releases about Trans-Tasman shifting closer to domestic the need for a 'full service' product on the Tasman drops hence its probably better to put the 773 on a more 'international' route. Also if the do shift some Tasman flying to domestic terminals (and domestic service level expectations) it makes sense to use Pac Blue 738
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crunch
an interesting read.. V Australia reminds Qantas how wrong it was about the 777 - Plane Talking
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"Brisbane to Phuket, Thailand direct ...... "
"Melbourne to Phuket, Thailand direct ......"
"Melbourne to Los Angeles, USA direct ......"
"Melbourne to Johannesburg, South Africa direct ......"
The word 'nonstop' is not used.
PA 804
"Melbourne to Phuket, Thailand direct ......"
"Melbourne to Los Angeles, USA direct ......"
"Melbourne to Johannesburg, South Africa direct ......"
The word 'nonstop' is not used.
PA 804
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I agree that it is VERY interesting that the word "Direct" is used with these "new" routes.
After being in contact with V Australia, and pushing for confirmation that the new routes will be "non-stop" they said that is still being worked out and the best thing to do would be to take out travel insurance in case the flights schedules are changed or you are re-routed.
Pacific Blue did this back to me years ago with MEL-NAN when the loads were low and put me on via SYD. I caused a stink and got a credit note with them and flew Air Pacific instead.
As they have already postponed the MEL-LAX flights from September to Decemeber, I can see them just pushing people via SYD or BNE if the loads are not good enough.
Doesn't fill me with confidence to go ahead and fork out $$$ for the flights and then be pushed via SYD or BNE.
After being in contact with V Australia, and pushing for confirmation that the new routes will be "non-stop" they said that is still being worked out and the best thing to do would be to take out travel insurance in case the flights schedules are changed or you are re-routed.
Pacific Blue did this back to me years ago with MEL-NAN when the loads were low and put me on via SYD. I caused a stink and got a credit note with them and flew Air Pacific instead.
As they have already postponed the MEL-LAX flights from September to Decemeber, I can see them just pushing people via SYD or BNE if the loads are not good enough.
Doesn't fill me with confidence to go ahead and fork out $$$ for the flights and then be pushed via SYD or BNE.