Virgin Atlantic wants to fly London-Perth non-stop

27 replies

Stathis

Member since 22 Sep 2018

Total posts 7

Replicating QANTAS's PER-LHR-PER is stupid, the route is monopolized it offers no growth. They will create their own route, where it doesn't currently exist, lowering the air time and increasing the flexibility, don't forget SQ out of BME. It is truely sad that there are people who cannot think outside the box.

Last editedby Stathis at Oct 28, 2018, 12:25 PM.

Geoffair

Member since 04 May 2018

Total posts 42

PER is a market in its own right several industries and companies are based there and one reason why its a good departure point from Oz.

Broome is not, in the same way Darwin was used and is hardly now.
If Airbus is right about the A359ULR range its the best, or maybe the A350-1000 can make PER?

tommygun

Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles

Member since 16 Oct 2017

Total posts 291

I think Broome makes sense only as a refueling stop. And even then it doesn't, because my guess is that jet fuel in Broome costs a lot more than it does in Perth.

Stathis

Member since 22 Sep 2018

Total posts 7

Refuelling and Distributor (Transfer hub) for ADL, MEL, SYD, CBR, AKL, WLG, CHC. etc. Even if you don't believe BME can serve as a western Cairns/Townsville type destination.

Last editedby Stathis at Oct 29, 2018, 11:43 AM.

sanj747

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 Nov 2016

Total posts 148

Interestingly, there was an article in the Fairfax media today about Sir Richard B wanting Virgin Atlantic to fly nonstop to Australia from the UK. This was only to be watered down by a company spokesman.

flyingvisit

BA

Member since 29 Jul 2016

Total posts 34

As lovely a place as it is, Broome doesn't make commercial sense as a refueling and distribution destination and here's why:

1. Added cost for crew accommodation in both directions, because they will not have allowable work hours to continue onward on the same flight.

2. Added aircraft servicing costs, (landing charges, terminal parking charges, ground handling, etc)

3. Broome is not a hub. There are limited domestic services in the frequency you need. The SilkAir services from Singapore were charters and a trial. Twice weekly for a limited period. Not operating now, but may return. In any case, customers going to Singapore from London will not fly via Broome when there are many daily nonstop flights between London and Singapore.


Perth is the only West Coast hub that's viable. It's commercial, pure and simple.

flyingvisit

BA

Member since 29 Jul 2016

Total posts 34

Replicating QANTAS's PER-LHR-PER is stupid, the route is monopolized it offers no growth. They will create their own route, where it doesn't currently exist, lowering the air time and increasing the flexibility, don't forget SQ out of BME. It is truely sad that there are people who cannot think outside the box.
Last edited by Stathis at Oct 28, 2018, 12.25 PM.

It's not about being unable to think outside the box.  It's about being able to think on a commercial basis, which is the same basis airlines make decisions on, compared to what may seem like a nice idea.  In the end,  nice ideas which aren't commercially sustainable, don't return profits to investors, nor keep board rooms happy and also risk company employees.   The Perth - London non-stop route is a monopoly now, but there certainly is room for another non-stop competitor, if Qantas' high load factors on this sector are to be believed.  In the end Broome is a great but niche tourist destination.  If it was anything else, it would have been developed into a Bali, Phuket, Gold Coast, Goa, Queenstown or similar destination some years ago.

Mjudd

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 14 Dec 2016

Total posts 57

Virgin are considering non stop flights to UK from the West Coast, but unlike QANTAS, they are considering Broome, as recently Broome has opened up as an International Airport, it currently serves Star Alliance Member SilkAir, who will soon be renamed SQ, Virgin Atlantic is also very interested in Non Stop Australia flights. Broome would make a better choice as a hub distributor to the rest of the country, as it would also serve as a tropical resort stopover replacing many southeast Asian stopover trips for many Australians headed for Europe, not to mention the Europeans visiting Australia with a stopover in Broome. Sure, infrastructure will need to be enhanced, but as these long haul flights are still only possible with 300 seaters, it shouldn't be that hard, Broome would grow to support A380 class aircraft as they became available. What do you think, would you fly say MEL or SYD to LHR thru Broome?

Stathis, Tell them to throw in a direct service to London to Busselton while they are at it...LOL
Who is your source??

hutch

Member since 07 Oct 2012

Total posts 772

Virgin are considering non stop flights to UK from the West Coast, but unlike QANTAS, they are considering Broome, as recently Broome has opened up as an International Airport, it currently serves Star Alliance Member SilkAir, who will soon be renamed SQ, Virgin Atlantic is also very interested in Non Stop Australia flights. Broome would make a better choice as a hub distributor to the rest of the country, as it would also serve as a tropical resort stopover replacing many southeast Asian stopover trips for many Australians headed for Europe, not to mention the Europeans visiting Australia with a stopover in Broome. Sure, infrastructure will need to be enhanced, but as these long haul flights are still only possible with 300 seaters, it shouldn't be that hard, Broome would grow to support A380 class aircraft as they became available. What do you think, would you fly say MEL or SYD to LHR thru Broome?

Stathis, Tell them to throw in a direct service to London to Busselton while they are at it...LOL
Who is your source??

Not sure Busselton is A380 capable though 😜

alex_upgrade77

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 08 Sep 2012

Total posts 47

As others have already well stated - for any airline to fly a 250+ seat aircraft into Australia it needs to be able transfer many of those passengers throughout its national / trans Tasman network seamlessly. What your suggesting would require Virgin Australia to set up a network ex Broome (or elsewhere) that allows it to compete with Qantas ex Perth. That's never going to happen because VA would never risk inveting into Brooome when there is very little corporate demand for that city. If I were Virgin Atlantic, I'd rush to get non stops to Sydney/ Melbourne or Brisbane from London to pip Qantas to the post and forget the West coast for now.

apacau

Member since 02 Jun 2013

Total posts 39

Darwin would be a much better choice compared to Broome - not much further, doesn’t compete with Perth but most importantly has an established city, airport infrastructure in place and an exisiting network of domestic connections

DanV

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 04 Nov 2017

Total posts 100

Not sure if trolling.

If not trolling, the rising costs of operating a hub, plus little O&D demand does not make a "hub" in smaller cities with little business demand work in today's market - American examples - the Mid USA hubs e.g Pittsburgh (US), St Louis (AA) and Cleveland (UA) lost their hubs due to lack of O&D demand.

tm_smile

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 12 Jun 2011

Total posts 15

Oh this was a good laugh... Walks away chucking....

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