Virgin Australia's flights between Melbourne and Hong Kong are ticking up to a daily frequency, giving business travellers more choice and flexibility in planning their trips to the Asian metropolis.
Starting from 12 November 2017, the northbound flight VA87 will leave Melbourne each day – typically at 11am or 11.30am, apart from Friday's 12.40pm departure.
Likewise, VA86 will depart Hong Kong each evening at around 8pm depending on the day, to reach Melbourne around 8am-9am the next morning.
AusBT review: Virgin Australia Melbourne-Hong Kong business class
Earlier this week Virgin's partner Hong Kong Airlines opened its impressive new lounge at the airport's Midfield Concourse, catering for Virgin Australia business class guests along with Velocity Gold and Platinum.
Read: Virgin Australia gets new Hong Kong airport lounge
Having settled into a daily service from Melbourne, Virgin is now reportedly eyeing flights from Sydney or Brisbane to Hong Kong.
As with Melbourne, both routes are dominated by Oneworld members Qantas and Cathay Pacific, which Virgin less as a stumbling block than an opportunity to carve out its own slice of the market.
Flights into mainland China are also on the to-do list, although the airline has yet to indicate which cities in China and Australia would anchor the route.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
05 May 2016
Total posts 616
About time. It would've been better if the flights all left at the same time every day, but this is a step in the right direction.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Sep 2017
Total posts 1
Hi David, I think you meant to say 'apart from Friday's 12.40pm departure.' According to the timetable the flight leaves at 12:40pm on Fridays.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1207
It is excellent that they have gone daily. It makes the route more attractive to business pax as well as indicating that VA are seeing growth on the route. Do we know how they came about getting the extra slots?
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
@reeves35:
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 397
Good for them. I may not be Virgin's biggest fan, but I hope to see them be successful on this so they have the confidence and money to branch out to more international destinations. A strong Virgin is good for everyone ultimately
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
08 Feb 2016
Total posts 35
It's good to see VA getting consistency right, though it's a shame not seeing night flight leaving Melbourne
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
@Jorge_fly:
17 May 2012
Total posts 80
I'm about to book Mel-HKG on 27th Oct and notice the seating map is showing 2-2 in Business? It is marked as a A330-220. Is it still 'The Business' or do they have rogue A330's without The Business seating?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Feb 2014
Total posts 439
All A330s have 'The Business'. 2x2 is configuration for a 737.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Sep 2017
Total posts 4
correct - flew this week. you are fine
03 Sep 2017
Total posts 49
willvill,
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Sep 2017
Total posts 4
That's Hong Kong airlines code share. Don't take it. very dissapointing compared to VA
17 May 2012
Total posts 80
Really...via Cairns....was not aware of that nor does it indicate it anywhere I can see. Also the 2x2 plan has on offer 5 rows. Are there 5 business class rows on their 737's.? (also its 28th not 27th Oct)
17 May 2012
Total posts 80
It also says on the Virgin website the flight mentioned is Non Stop on a A330-200....
03 Sep 2017
Total posts 49
Did another check for you ....
17 May 2012
Total posts 80
Many thanks KinHo
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
@willvill:
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
@KinHo:
No surprise there whenever we're talking about codesharing flights involving @ least 2 carriers/operators.
03 Sep 2017
Total posts 49
Thanks FLX1 for the reminder/clarification. I should have realized the flight number format and that it's a codeshare and operated by another airline. Not the usual flight number format of the airline being booked with.
03 Sep 2017
Total posts 49
Oh FLX1 .... I just realized that the "Online seat selection unavailable ..." message came up for the direct MEL-HKG flight. Which would have been Virgin operated.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2016
Total posts 23
That will be a code share partner not virgin metal
03 Sep 2017
Total posts 49
Virgin aircraft seating for business ....
VA
17 Apr 2014
Total posts 10
Business Traveller is reporting that HX will launch new services from HKG to LHR, SFO and NYC using their new A350s. I'm sure HX would be happy to take the feeder traffic from VA for that route.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
17 Mar 2016
Total posts 42
Hainan Airlines will start flying from Brisbane to neighbouring Shenzhen later this month, twice a week. I wonder if Virgin might fill the other days of the week together with the HK Air flights to OOL?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Sep 2017
Total posts 4
avoid Hong Kong airlines at all costs. flew it home from HKG today via Gold Coast on the VA code share. Not even close to being in the same league as VA.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Dec 2011
Total posts 11
Just out of curiosity, does VA have a interline agreement or codeshare with VS, because the timing for HKG-LHR/LHR-HKG is coinciding with VA's HKG-MEL/MEL-HKG flight?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Feb 2016
Total posts 96
Don't know why VA doesn't sell connected flights beyond VA87 but HX does (as HX3001).
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