Does anyone know how the load factors are going for the VA HKG flights?
I would hope they are good for VA's sake as the shifting of a lot of A330 flights to and from Perth has disappointed quite a few travellers.
If it weren't for the inferior seating and service ( IMOP ) In QF J class compared to the VA A330 I would consider QF but would rather make sure I set my schedule to go via Sydney and travel on the VA A330 . Maybe the rumour of the VA B737 seats in J being upgraded for the Perth service will make a big difference but until then it's only the VA A330 for me. Sad isn't it having such a difficult choice in life !!!
Not sure on the overall, but in my recent experience on the HKG-MEL flight, I have never been on a international flight so empty. Was a Thursday evening flight, and economy had roughly about 50 pax in, business about 20. Was honestly like a ghost flight.
We will know more once the BITRE releases its monthly international airlines operations statistical bulletin.
So far it has only produced June 2017, as there is a lag time given that the public servants must collect information from the 59 international airlines presently operating to and from Australia.
The July one should come out quite soon. You can subscribe to it by email, so visit the BITRE site if so minded.
It seems to be a bit hit an miss. The next 3 days of flights are almost completely empty, whereas Saturday has 3 seats left in economy and the Monday only about 60 seats left.
Not sure on the overall, but in my recent experience on the HKG-MEL flight, I have never been on a international flight so empty. Was a Thursday evening flight, and economy had roughly about 50 pax in, business about 20. Was honestly like a ghost flight.
The 330 Y class product is really, really bad. Those pleather seats are uncomfortable on even a MEL-PER, not sure what VA was thinking sending them so far. No thanks!
VA will need a strong feed from HNA in the long term to make this route viable IMO, CX and QF will continue to strangle them otherwise, not to mention SQ trying to hold on to their pax into China and the normal Chinese competition ex Australia. From a strategy 101 perspective one can only think this can be attractive to VA if they can take significant share, and I'm not sure that's an easy task on this route. HKG is still a great location but not so sure it's the "Gateway to China" it was 10 years ago
This week is the October National Day Golden Week for China, which allows many Chinese to travel. So it should be interesting to see how the successful the loads are. Foreign flights from Hong Kong are still seen as preferable for many Chinese, who want a stopover in Self Administered Region. A plane ticket ensures entry-exits rights to HK without the hassle of going to their hometown/region (while they live & work elsewhere in China) to apply for a permit. Although the piecemeal, dripfed method of integrating HNA and VA frequent flyer privileges can not be helping either.
I flew HKG-MEL a couple of weeks back and the plane was full in both classes. We were in J and not a single seat free (though they managed to find one for JB of course, who happened to be onboard!)
"We were in J and not a single seat free (though they managed to find one for JB of course, who happened to be onboard!)" No, let me guess... Joe Bloggs; Justin Bieber; James Bond; Jason Bourne; Jessica Biel, maybe Jack Benny...
I flew HKG-MEL a couple of weeks back and the plane was full in both classes. We were in J and not a single seat free (though they managed to find one for JB of course, who happened to be onboard!)
I flew HKG-MEL a couple of weeks back and the plane was full in both classes. We were in J and not a single seat free (though they managed to find one for JB of course, who happened to be onboard!)
How was your flight?
Really good. Great service, good food and the suite is excellent, though slightly less storage compared with the 777. The only thing letting VA down in my opinion is the limited IFE content.
I have to admit also being a bit disappointed with the new HX lounge in HKG. For an all-new lounge I had high hopes but not a patch on the CX lounges.
But I really can't complain, given I paid $3900 for a round the world ticket all in J with VA/VS (BNE-LAX-LHR-HKG-MEL-BNE).
I flew HKG-MEL a couple of weeks back and the plane was full in both classes. We were in J and not a single seat free (though they managed to find one for JB of course, who happened to be onboard!)
How was your flight?
Really good. Great service, good food and the suite is excellent, though slightly less storage compared with the 777. The only thing letting VA down in my opinion is the limited IFE content.
I have to admit also being a bit disappointed with the new HX lounge in HKG. For an all-new lounge I had high hopes but not a patch on the CX lounges.
But I really can't complain, given I paid $3900 for a round the world ticket all in J with VA/VS (BNE-LAX-LHR-HKG-MEL-BNE).
Rod H
Rod H
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 06 Mar 2015
Total posts 274
Does anyone know how the load factors are going for the VA HKG flights?
jimmyblue
jimmyblue
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 13 Jul 2017
Total posts 6
Not sure on the overall, but in my recent experience on the HKG-MEL flight, I have never been on a international flight so empty. Was a Thursday evening flight, and economy had roughly about 50 pax in, business about 20. Was honestly like a ghost flight.
Traveller14
Traveller14
Member since 17 Sep 2015
Total posts 73
We will know more once the BITRE releases its monthly international airlines operations statistical bulletin.
Bigbird
Bigbird
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Jun 2015
Total posts 40
It seems to be a bit hit an miss. The next 3 days of flights are almost completely empty, whereas Saturday has 3 seats left in economy and the Monday only about 60 seats left.
rufusfly
rufusfly
Member since 13 May 2016
Total posts 54
So business was full with 20
richard89
richard89
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Mar 2017
Total posts 42
The 330 Y class product is really, really bad. Those pleather seats are uncomfortable on even a MEL-PER, not sure what VA was thinking sending them so far. No thanks!
moa999
moa999
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jul 2011
Total posts 834
Load may be OK ( don't know) but with all the CX and QF sales I suspect the yields are not
crwilkins
crwilkins
Qantas
Member since 02 May 2016
Total posts 29
VA will need a strong feed from HNA in the long term to make this route viable IMO, CX and QF will continue to strangle them otherwise, not to mention SQ trying to hold on to their pax into China and the normal Chinese competition ex Australia. From a strategy 101 perspective one can only think this can be attractive to VA if they can take significant share, and I'm not sure that's an easy task on this route. HKG is still a great location but not so sure it's the "Gateway to China" it was 10 years ago
Livewireshock
Livewireshock
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 17 Mar 2016
Total posts 7
This week is the October National Day Golden Week for China, which allows many Chinese to travel. So it should be interesting to see how the successful the loads are. Foreign flights from Hong Kong are still seen as preferable for many Chinese, who want a stopover in Self Administered Region. A plane ticket ensures entry-exits rights to HK without the hassle of going to their hometown/region (while they live & work elsewhere in China) to apply for a permit. Although the piecemeal, dripfed method of integrating HNA and VA frequent flyer privileges can not be helping either.
apacau
apacau
Member since 02 Jun 2013
Total posts 39
I flew HKG-MEL a couple of weeks back and the plane was full in both classes. We were in J and not a single seat free (though they managed to find one for JB of course, who happened to be onboard!)
OzTraveller
OzTraveller
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 21 Feb 2012
Total posts 5
"We were in J and not a single seat free (though they managed to find one for JB of course, who happened to be onboard!)" No, let me guess... Joe Bloggs; Justin Bieber; James Bond; Jason Bourne; Jessica Biel, maybe Jack Benny...
rufusfly
rufusfly
Member since 13 May 2016
Total posts 54
How was your flight?
apacau
apacau
Member since 02 Jun 2013
Total posts 39
Really good. Great service, good food and the suite is excellent, though slightly less storage compared with the 777. The only thing letting VA down in my opinion is the limited IFE content.
I have to admit also being a bit disappointed with the new HX lounge in HKG. For an all-new lounge I had high hopes but not a patch on the CX lounges.
But I really can't complain, given I paid $3900 for a round the world ticket all in J with VA/VS (BNE-LAX-LHR-HKG-MEL-BNE).
readosunnycoast
readosunnycoast
Member since 05 Oct 2011
Total posts 117
Where did you book that flight/fare?
qickdraw
qickdraw
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 14 Dec 2015
Total posts 7
I have to admit also being a bit disappointed with the new HX lounge in HKG. For an all-new lounge I had high hopes but not a patch on the CX lounges.
But I really can't complain, given I paid $3900 for a round the world ticket all in J with VA/VS (BNE-LAX-LHR-HKG-MEL-BNE).
You mean the content they just won an award for at APEX in LA last month?