That and the fact that no noises have been made about lowering the fuel surcharge as jet fuel prices hit six-month lows... :=

VB
 

Be interesting if an announcement will be made if the VB EBA gets up, rumour is that there is pressure from management along the lines of ---Sign the EBA and you will be able to fly regional jets, International flying etc etc. - If not regional jets will be on AWA's.

Can anyone explain why Singapore hasnt tied up with VB for pacific flying? Singapore already have a tie up with Virgin Antlantic, another equity tie up with VB would get Branson a link around the world from both ends, Singapore access to the pacific route and provide VB with aeroplanes, expertise and cash to take on QF in INTL flying.

VB has limited choice but to leverage its low-cost base to provide a viable business competitor to QF in Domestic and eventually INTL flying.

OK here's my prediction.
1. SIA have been refused permission to operate trans-Pac ex-Aus; that means no rights, so not even code-share.

2. However, despite both UA and SIA being Star, how about this:
- Vir Pac joins Star;
- SIA contributes equity to Vir Pac;
- SIA thus gets investment exposure to Aus-US route;
- punters on Vir Pac services will be able to earn any one of Velocity, Freeway or Kris (or indeed any Star) points;
- UA code-share on some services, allowing them to redeploy capacity to North pacific runs;
- AC possibly does similar;
- NZ also code-shares on Vir Pac services.

Anything structurally wrong with these ideas?

Further from the above... with SQ involved in the Virgin ops across the pacific perhaps then they would allow the "Virgin Pacific" name to be used. And all Virgin Blue/Pacific Blue ops could be rolled into "Virgin Pacific", a potentially more worldly image and name.

Intl ops will happen, as will regional. The big questions are... who will operate them and what aircraft will they use?

Ummmmmm.........

Lowest price aircraft and lowest priced crews of course!

Must still be some type rated expats who have made their money and looking for a re-settlement/semi retirement income waiting to come home.

Lots of 7-10 year guys both fleets in the sandpit!

Career progression in Australia seems to start in the Middle East these days.

Hope they attract the guys who are planning on returning from the sandpit and thus make it harder for Jetstar International to crew the A330. Not wanting to tread on the existing DJ crews with that statement but it would make sense for DJ to get a nucleous of pilots with long haul experience when setting up an operation like this.

Going Boeing you might be right, but there are plenty of long haul experience in virgin that would be very valuable for the set up phase. Time will tell though!!!!:ouch: :ouch:

Heard many different scenarios on line from people carrying long haul committe members in the jump seat.
1. 777 will be the aircraft
2. Once we start the route, United will pull out and code share with VB
3. (This one refutes point 2) Will be using Delta Airlines gates at LAX as the airport authorities want 20K US to turn around a 777, and Delta will do it for 3K US.
As to who will be flying it is anyones guess. If they are going to pay the J* international pay rate, then the expats who want to come back can have it

I would be very suprised to see ANY involvement by SIA.

The Singaproeans were shafted by Sir Dick in 2001 by the AN/ANZ/SIA tie up. Chinese have very long memories.

BG had better get the cost structure right. With Qantas the dominant carrier, and UA they will need a strong proposition to attract pax. Lets not forget the future capability of Jetstar International and it's very low cost base.

Finally, even if the DJ boys get the flying, you can bank on the first few aircraft being crewed by returnees from the sand pit. The only thing to stop them would be a pay scale lower than pornstars :{

Would it be a better experience for pax if VB used UA gates at LAX? I was under the impression that UA have their own facilities for international arrivals seperate to what the rest have to use. This facility means shorter queues for those trying to clear customs.
Can anyone confirm that for me.

:)

Since when did that matter? :ugh:

Regardless of which ground handlers/ gates used, LAX is NEVER a pleasant experience!!

Hey longjohn,

speaking of pornstar,

Are you enjoying the A320.