What's next for Virgin Australia internationally?

25 replies

Polbathic

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 15 Jul 2016

Total posts 4

They probably need to be more strategic with fewer alliances that work better for both the airline and frequent flyers alike. Concentrate on SQ, DL and HN whilst continuing alliances where helpful for intermediate destinations such as HA. For NZ (the country) fly direct from some of the smaller ports to an Australian hub and distribute from there. Eg Hamilton-Syd would give northern Kiwis access to the Australian domestic market and international connections with just as few hops as Hamilton-AKL-(Syd) (although Sydney would benefit from a domestic/International VA terminal). There are other ports that might work this way as well, plus you could potentially use fully kitted 737s to do add ons to other links (like in the old days). 

SeanDardis

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 08 May 2018

Total posts 12

If Qantas are going long haul, single leg through North America and Europe - Virgin should look to do the opposite. Singapore, Abu Dhabi and then London. This gives people the option to so small legs and perhaps overnight in some of these locations.

DanV

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 04 Nov 2017

Total posts 101

jcr737

wrote:
"Keep flights to LAX, give HKG 12 months, give TT New Zealand. If HKG is a winner, then concentrate on further mainland China ports if available."


HKG is only being flown by VA because 20% owner HNA group has bought into the carrier to gain access to HK-Oz rights via their subsidiary HX (since the rights on the HK end are full).

In other words, the HK flights are partially subsidised by HNA.

Another suggestion: VA's remaining Bali flights could be ceded to GA (with VA code added onto GA) if they chose to expand on their current interline only agreement. The 737s could be sent back to Oz Domestic or Trans-Tasman services. In return, GA could probably put their code on VA's Trans-Tasman flights.

flyOFTEN

Member since 24 Apr 2015

Total posts 14

think VA need 1 or 2 more B777-300ERs. Surely they could "borrow" one from one of their partners like Etihad, even if just for peak season to USA.

sanj747

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 Nov 2016

Total posts 148

Too many head winds internal and external. Internal - lack of wide bodied aircraft to build an international business and the CEO likely has over stayed his tenure. External - recent QF/ANZ alliance is a big knockout blow, and major partner Etihad struggling and can't see any immediate change to their fortunes. Key partners who are strong are - SQ and Delta. Option would be to join Star Alliance or SkyTeam.

DanV

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 04 Nov 2017

Total posts 101

Too many head winds internal and external. Internal - lack of wide bodied aircraft to build an international business and the CEO likely has over stayed his tenure. External - recent QF/ANZ alliance is a big knockout blow, and major partner Etihad struggling and can't see any immediate change to their fortunes. Key partners who are strong are - SQ and Delta. Option would be to join Star Alliance or SkyTeam.

VA are 'persona non-grata' to the Star Alliance thanks to NZ and UA. SkyTeam is VA's only choice.


If SkyTeam had a affiliate level similar to Oneworld's Connecting Partners (and Star Alliance connecting partners), Both Virgins (Atlantic and Australia) would be strong candidates for that level.

This would at least enable VA and VS to continue forming partnerships outside of SkyTeam without any issues, similar to how the connecting partners of OW and *A are able to form partnerships outside of their alliances.

thomasindo

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 04 Oct 2017

Total posts 6

jcr737 wrote:
"Keep flights to LAX, give HKG 12 months, give TT New Zealand. If HKG is a winner, then concentrate on further mainland China ports if available."

HKG is only being flown by VA because 20% owner HNA group has bought into the carrier to gain access to HK-Oz rights via their subsidiary HX (since the rights on the HK end are full).

In other words, the HK flights are partially subsidised by HNA.

Another suggestion: VA's remaining Bali flights could be ceded to GA (with VA code added onto GA) if they chose to expand on their current interline only agreement. The 737s could be sent back to Oz Domestic or Trans-Tasman services. In return, GA could probably put their code on VA's Trans-Tasman flights.


That would be fantastic

brs132

Member since 23 Sep 2017

Total posts 1

Okay Im a little new to Australian Business Traveller but your article referencing, VA, AY, EY, HNA, VS, AZ, FCO or MXP, SA and HA, DL and SQ is somewhat bewildering. Is this a new code or way of writing things, or just a lazy way of expressing names that if stated would allow everyone to understand the article !

sdtravel

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 18 Jun 2015

Total posts 79

Okay Im a little new to Australian Business Traveller but your article referencing, VA, AY, EY, HNA, VS, AZ, FCO or MXP, SA and HA, DL and SQ is somewhat bewildering. Is this a new code or way of writing things, or just a lazy way of expressing names that if stated would allow everyone to understand the article !

They are airline codes and aviation abbreviations

VA = Virgin Australia
AY = Finnair
EY = Etihad
HNA = HNA Group
VS = Virgin Atlantic
AZ = Alitalia

You can google the rest if you want to

here2go

Qantas

Member since 10 Sep 2011

Total posts 45

They probably need to be more strategic with fewer alliances that work better for both the airline and frequent flyers alike. Concentrate on SQ, DL and HN whilst continuing alliances where helpful for intermediate destinations such as HA. For NZ (the country) fly direct from some of the smaller ports to an Australian hub and distribute from there. Eg Hamilton-Syd would give northern Kiwis access to the Australian domestic market and international connections with just as few hops as Hamilton-AKL-(Syd) (although Sydney would benefit from a domestic/International VA terminal). There are other ports that might work this way as well, plus you could potentially use fully kitted 737s to do add ons to other links (like in the old days).

This is where Badgery's Creek or Canberra Airport can be a bit of a game changer.

richard89

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 21 Mar 2017

Total posts 42

So many armchair CEOs !!!!!! Sheesh.

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