One other partner airline not mentioned here was Virgin America, which was folded into Alaska Airlines: a Qantas partner. At least that was in North America where Virgin Australia's partner Delta provides a good network, though.
In the same token though, Qantas has also lost some airline parners which are now in the 'Velocity' camp, such as South African Airways and Alitalia - and in the years gone by, Emirates and Malaysia Airlines, which were Velocity partners many years ago, are in the Qantas fold today.
A lot of hot air and fake news being circulated regarding VA. As a VA Gold FF I find their domestic network excellent, their long haul business class offering superb and excellent partner airlines in the likes of SIA and HNA. Alliances are not everything and neither is the loss of NZ as a partner. NZ has far more to lose here with the much smaller domestic network and code share with their biggest enemy. QF have everything to gain through the new alliance.
Family pooling is the main reason I stay loyal to VA. I'm in my late 20s and have been a Gold member for 6 years. Family pooling just makes it easier to requalify each year
Agreed on family pooling. The additional credits a family trip or two can bring mean gold and platinum are easy to achieve. I'm platinum VA and I think it would be a serious struggle to reach gold QFF. This is the main reason I stay, but also the partnership with SQ is really important, as is the ability to transfer miles to KF.
Fly ahead and economy X are both great perks and they've upped their lounge food somewhat in recent years to a level thats at least adequate or sufficient. Grab and go breakfast snacks is another good implementation.
Their food/snack service on board domestically is still an insult though. QF is miles ahead in that department.
At the end of the day you'll either spend your money (or businesses money) on a 'red one' or a 'blue one', depending on which one actually, or is perceived to suit your needs the best. No difference really to Ford v Holden, Audi v BMW (or Merc), or even QANTAS v Virgin... :)
BTW about to jump on a 'red one' again with the 'sparrows', no 'blue ones' fly from here so don't need to worry about choice, it's already made for me...!!!
From your list, only Berlin and Alitalia have actually dropped like flies, and I never flew with them and never would have. The others are fine.
Most of my travel is domestic and Pacific islands, so VA is far superior to QF for me in terms of the overall package of FF benefits (eg free Econ X), friendly service, product, lounges, priority boarding that works, and routes.
For international destinations not served by VA, SQ is fantastic and is a good VA partner. So what's not too like compared to the Stockholm Syndrome that is QF?
VA are great. My only issue is the 'snacks' they pass off as half decent on a flight. QF provides something a little more substantial.
I hope family pooling is turned off or stopped once you hit Gold. Pretty much 50% of flight is Platinum now.....
As for international network, depends where you fly I guess.
Personally, I think SIA and Delta should buy VA, SIA should dump Star and join Sky Team. That would be better for SIA and Sky Team.
Agree with the snack situation and would love it if platinum wasn't so easy to get with family pooling. I do think that SIA is currently having a very valued position in Star Alliance. They are one of the most important airlines in the alliance and I don't think they would let SIA go without a fight. It is their main airline in Asia and while it would be nice for skyteam to have SIA, they already have Korean as a gateway into asia for them.
Perhaps VA is improving the snack catering as we speak? Last Fri, flew SYD/BNE mid-morning and received a pack with three items - crackers, cheese, and slices of fresh apple. Thought it was decent quality and size, and a definite improvement on those mini protein bars.
I like VA. good service for the price; easy to get to Gold; lounges that are perfectly good for an hour or two.
Then again, I've come across from Europe where airports are crowded, skies so crowded that many more flights are delayed; lounges that are just a pokey room and only used by hard-to-get status.
Man, VA is brilliant as an airline by comparison.
Why do they need to join an Alliance? I don't see the big deal: I go by route, service and price.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
One other partner airline not mentioned here was Virgin America, which was folded into Alaska Airlines: a Qantas partner. At least that was in North America where Virgin Australia's partner Delta provides a good network, though.
In the same token though, Qantas has also lost some airline parners which are now in the 'Velocity' camp, such as South African Airways and Alitalia - and in the years gone by, Emirates and Malaysia Airlines, which were Velocity partners many years ago, are in the Qantas fold today.
Hamish1970
Hamish1970
Member since 01 Jun 2018
Total posts 1
A lot of hot air and fake news being circulated regarding VA. As a VA Gold FF I find their domestic network excellent, their long haul business class offering superb and excellent partner airlines in the likes of SIA and HNA. Alliances are not everything and neither is the loss of NZ as a partner. NZ has far more to lose here with the much smaller domestic network and code share with their biggest enemy. QF have everything to gain through the new alliance.
gazzax2
gazzax2
Member since 09 Feb 2018
Total posts 2
Family pooling is the main reason I stay loyal to VA. I'm in my late 20s and have been a Gold member for 6 years. Family pooling just makes it easier to requalify each year
LP
LP
Member since 30 Jun 2016
Total posts 11
Agreed on family pooling. The additional credits a family trip or two can bring mean gold and platinum are easy to achieve. I'm platinum VA and I think it would be a serious struggle to reach gold QFF. This is the main reason I stay, but also the partnership with SQ is really important, as is the ability to transfer miles to KF.
Clancy
Clancy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 31 Jan 2016
Total posts 79
At the end of the day you'll either spend your money (or businesses money) on a 'red one' or a 'blue one', depending on which one actually, or is perceived to suit your needs the best. No difference really to Ford v Holden, Audi v BMW (or Merc), or even QANTAS v Virgin... :)
BTW about to jump on a 'red one' again with the 'sparrows', no 'blue ones' fly from here so don't need to worry about choice, it's already made for me...!!!
Jazzop
Jazzop
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 124
Alitalia are still flying......
Jazzop
Jazzop
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 124
djtech
djtech
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Sep 2018
Total posts 375
Agree with the snack situation and would love it if platinum wasn't so easy to get with family pooling. I do think that SIA is currently having a very valued position in Star Alliance. They are one of the most important airlines in the alliance and I don't think they would let SIA go without a fight. It is their main airline in Asia and while it would be nice for skyteam to have SIA, they already have Korean as a gateway into asia for them.
stmaus
stmaus
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 20 Nov 2017
Total posts 45
Perhaps VA is improving the snack catering as we speak? Last Fri, flew SYD/BNE mid-morning and received a pack with three items - crackers, cheese, and slices of fresh apple. Thought it was decent quality and size, and a definite improvement on those mini protein bars.
whoppersandwich
whoppersandwich
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Dec 2017
Total posts 125
With QF now engaged in what appears to be a growing alliance with Air France/KLM, I find it more and more unlikely for Virgin to join Skyteam.
Madhatter49
Madhatter49
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 11 Dec 2016
Total posts 86
I think that's a good part of the reason why QF did that too.
Russjking
Russjking
Member since 12 Aug 2017
Total posts 31
I like VA. good service for the price; easy to get to Gold; lounges that are perfectly good for an hour or two.