Virgin Australia to become more like Virgin America?

[MelbourneFlyer]

Cyrus Capital is one of the two finalists to take over Virgin Australia, it was a 'cornerstone investor' in Virgin America, so no surprise that it wants to remake Virgin Australia like Virgin America, as a mid-market 'hybrid' airline, smaller, domestic and short-haul only, 737s-only, dropping Tigerair and bringing back that 'Virgin' vibe.

Some interesting quotes from the article.
Virgin Australia 2.0 “should sit below that very top tier of where Qantas plays so strongly in, and above and maybe overlapping slightly where Jetstar sits"
"We had a lot of success in the US with Virgin America with the hybrid business model, which is a model that has product and service that appeals to the business traveller but a cost-base able to provide a range of fares that can appeal to the value-orientated leisure traveller and that encompasses passengers who fly on Tiger today.”
“We think there's a really sweet spot in the middle where Virgin can play very strongly. And that's exactly what we saw in the States with Virgin America.”
“We believe Virgin Australia can be the best airline in Australia It doesn't have to be the biggest – Virgin America wasn't the biggest – but it can be the best, and we think that it will be.”
"We would like to bring back that core DNA of the Virgin brand and reinvigorate the service and the culture. Our plan would be to harness the power of the Virgin brand and bring back some of that sort of early challenger DNA.”

https://www.executivetraveller.com/n...market-airline

[wheels_down]

Putting Tiger to bed. About time!

[Turnleft080]

Cyrus are on then money here. Especially when business won't be the same as zoom has arrived.

[Ollie Onion]

We travelled on Virgin America on a number of occasions and they were awesome, absolutely a step above the normal low cost offering but for a great price.

[Goat Whisperer]

I've flown VX and VA, in different cabin (VX had a premium economy that was analogous to VA's Economy Plus). Similar products. I don't know what changes they could make to make the Australian product more like the American one. Apart from ditching widebodies.

[non_state_actor]

I don't know what changes they could make to make the Australian product more like the American one. Apart from ditching widebodies

And paying A320 Captains 85K a year........

[BNEA320]

Originally Posted by Turnleft080

Cyrus are on then money here. Especially when business won't be the same as zoom has arrived.

don't think zoom will have much effect. Face to face is where business happens, not video link.

[TT738]

Originally Posted by non_state_actor

And paying A320 Captains 85K a year........

well one thing is for sure, they won't be paying what VA did. Don't even mention that you don't like that anywhere, or you won't be hired.

[nvfr]

Virgin Australia 2.0 “should sit below that very top tier of where Qantas plays so strongly in, and above and maybe overlapping slightly where Jetstar sits"

umm isn’t that exactly where Virgin Australia was sitting before this whole mess?

[PoppaJo]

Originally Posted by nvfr

Virgin Australia 2.0 “should sit below that very top tier of where Qantas plays so strongly in, and above and maybe overlapping slightly where Jetstar sits"

umm isn’t that exactly where Virgin Australia was sitting before this whole mess?

You will probably find they might now have a tighter seat pitch at the back with carry on only, then standard Cabin, Cabin plus, and Business.

[Turnleft080]

umm isn’t that exactly where Virgin Australia was sitting before this whole mess?

No!!!! JB wanted it to be the next Qantas for reasons we all know why?

[ShandywithSugar]

The few pilots at VA I've spoken with are adamant they're not taking a pay cut.

[Stationair8]

ShandywithSugar, two types of pilot the employed one and the unemployed one!

[anonfly]

When and if VA gets purchased the current EBAs go with it. So in saying that they will be payed less is wrong.
Of course everything is up for negotiation but adding complexity in changing work rules, entering negotiations is time consuming and costly. I imagine the current EBA will be rolled over for a further 2-3 years with some concessions and amendments made to help cater the new owner if one arises.
Before going into administration the NB EBA was most likely going to get rolled over anyway.
Also a well paid pilot group isn’t what stops an airline turning a profit as demonstrated by Qantas. Best paid pilots in the country.

[Icarus2001]

The few pilots at VA I've spoken with are adamant they're not taking a pay cut.

First issue is do ANY pilots keep their job. Second issue is how many lose their job if a sale goes ahead. As above, the EBAs stand unless negotiated away.

[KARNAK66]

Originally Posted by wheels_down

Putting Tiger to bed. About time!

I knew people that were involved with Tiger,not great info was forthcoming from them would one suspicious as to what was happenung.
I was aware that the chief pilot, a
Great pilot abd a great guy bailed out andbwent to a high powered position in QuatarnAirways.
Anybody can fill in the rest of the blanks please.
Thanks in advanced.

[The Bullwinkle]

Originally Posted by ShandywithSugar

The few pilots at VA I've spoken with are adamant they're not taking a pay cut.

You probably need to speak with a few more then.
Most of the ones I’ve spoken to would rather lose a few bucks and still have a job than maintain their current salary right out the door.

[Elijah B]

Originally Posted by wheels_down

Putting Tiger to bed. About time!

Tigerair will be back as I hear crew are being rostered for training.

[TimmyTee]

Potentially a somewhat positive thread with regards to VAs future:

*TOLLING BELL*
“Bring out your QF employed posters’ highly vested-opinions!”

[Scooter Rassmussin]

Will be a bunfight for jobs at the new VA if they go Airbus , im sure the Tiger guys will be trying as well as some junior JQ guys and gals.