Feasibility for US Style 'Transcon' product on Coast-to-coast services in Australia?

23 replies

CityRail

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

Member since 17 Nov 2014

Total posts 78

Feasibility for US Style 'Transcon' product on Coast-to-coast services in Australia?

Recently, several airlines in the US launched flat bed First/Business class products plus long haul economy product on board A321 and B752 aircraft for SFO/LAX-JFK Transcontinental services.

Back home in Australia, we are still using A332/A333 for mainstream coast-to-coast services, supplemented by B738, which provides inconsistent product throughout all classes.

Following the success stories in the US, I wonder whether VA/QF should replace their coast-to-coast service with B739ER fitted with flatbed business class and long haul economy product?

I believe this can enhance frequency (SYD-PER can increase from 5-6 daily to every 60-120 minutes throughout the day), moreover, it can also be deployed to top end (DRW) services and even short haul international services, such as CNS-HKG/CNS-SIN/PER-SIN.

Is it feasible?

johnaboxall

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 24 Aug 2011

Total posts 384

It isn't feasible. If it was, VA or QF would be doing it. 

riley

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 19 Mar 2014

Total posts 358

While it is typical a higher yielding sector for Syd > Per and Mel > Per for VA and QF, there's no way on earth a flat bed first product would sell. 

We don't have the weight of population transiting between the two. Perhaps if Melbourne was where Perth is and Melbourne and Sydney were both twice the size they are.

It also comes down to companies travel policies. Only a very small number of senior executives would fly first ove business on a 4 hour route in Australia. 

Serg

QFF

Member since 12 Apr 2013

Total posts 999

"Perhaps if Melbourne was where Perth is "

Better Sydney, I like Melbourne where it is :-))))))))

riley

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 19 Mar 2014

Total posts 358

I like Melbourne how it is, but it would be an unstoppable city with the Perth climate, don't you think?

Serg

QFF

Member since 12 Apr 2013

Total posts 999

Perth is nice city, but I love Melbourne weather :-)

riley

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 19 Mar 2014

Total posts 358

Only the most loyal melbourne advocates would say that in mid-June!

Serg

QFF

Member since 12 Apr 2013

Total posts 999

Indeed! Consider this - I have broken fireplace for last 2 months that I fixed only on last Sunday :-)))))

Wombus

Member since 30 Mar 2015

Total posts 17

LAX-JFK is about 500km further than SYD-PER. There are a lot more travellers, and a lot more money (richer passengers). Flights are also cheaper (lower wages, fuel costs etc). It's easy to see there would be a demand. There wouldn't really be enough demand in Aus.

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

Agreed.

lotsamiles

Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles

Member since 06 May 2015

Total posts 44

Also note: if your thinking big vs. small, Hong Kong to Taipei is done majority of flights as wide-bodies, with the odd smaller aircraft. 

If thinking of frequencies, then smaller and more often make more sense, but only if cost factors justify. 

SaltyJ

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 06 Dec 2012

Total posts 157

Projections for capital cities put Sydney and Melbourne at around 8 million and Perth around 5 million by 2060, maybe more feasible then!

tabs

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 May 2013

Total posts 46

You're the first person I've ever heard that wants a 737 over an A330!

Hugo

Member since 12 Jun 2013

Total posts 216

Doesn't VA already use a pure-flatbed fleet on this route? Aren't flatbed available on QF? Isn't the flatbed experience on VA/QF generally comparable or superior to what you'd get on UA/AA/DL anyway? I know it's three-class vs two-class, but is it that different? 

Anyway, no, I doubt a three-class SYD/MEL-PER service is viable. Very few three-class services are viable nowadays.

Plus, while many rich people in the US spend their time flitting between the two coasts, my guess is that rich people in Australia either rarely visit Perth or rarely leave it. 

madge

Member since 07 Aug 2012

Total posts 58

Agreed.

The new VA J seat will be the same as the AA transcon F seat. The new QF A330 J seat will be almost the same as the DL J seat.

Both seats are superior to the UA transcon J seat.

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