“Seriously outstanding”, “very impressive” and “an incredibly competitive aircraft” – that was some of the praise which Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti showered on the Airbus A350 as he toured the advanced jet on its whistle-stop visit to Sydney this week.
Airbus finds itself in a familiar tussle with Boeing over which company will win the order for Virgin’s fleet beyond 2017 to replace the airline’s existing Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 jets.
Borghetti has previously talked up both the A350 and the competing Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and in February 2013 told Australian Business Traveller that the Boeing-or-Airbus question would be “more an end-of-year decision”.
“We don’t have to rush into this” Borghetti said.
“We’re talking about fleet composition beyond 2017. Admittedly we have to make a call soon, but we’ve still got a year or so up our sleeves.”
That year-or-so is now all but done, and orders for both birds are piling up, but Borghetti is intent on taking his time to make the right decision – and no doubt land the best discount against the list price, which sits at US$249.5 million for 787-9 Dreamliner and US$295 million for the Airbus A350-900.
And a few sweet words for the A350 is no doubt going to help in that.
“We’ll take our time and make sure we make the right decision, but this (A350) is a very impressive aircraft” Borghetti admitted.
Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti (left) and Airbus sales exec Isabelle Floret (right) on the A350
Airbus
Airbus
“Our team’s been studying this very carefully, obviously, along with the Boeing aircraft, and from everything we’ve seen on paper certainly (the A350’s) an incredibly competitive aircraft” he told The Australian.
“Whether you’re looking at it from the operating statistics or the customer comfort, I have to say that I have been pleasantly surprised.”
The style-savvy CEO also singled out the spacious interior of the A350, which boasts standard 18 inch-wide seats for economy passengers.
“You really don’t think you’re in a tube; you think you’re in a room because you’ve got a flat roof and almost a flat side” he observed.
“It’s very different to what was, of course, the original 350 design. This is outstanding, seriously outstanding.”
Photo tour: Inside the Airbus A350 test aircraft
Signing what would on the face of things be a multi-billion dollar cheque for flash new planes might seem at odds with an expected $200m+ pre-tax loss for the 2013-2014 financial year which Virgin is tipped to report later this month.
But with the need to plan ahead for the next generation of Virgin’s fleet, and the cost savings on fuel and maintenance for these new jets, it could be an easy argument to make that Virgin is investing its way back into the black.
For a peek inside the A350, check out our walkthrough of the first passenger-ready A350 and our first-hand report from on board the A350's flight test earlier this year.
Read: Airbus A350 takes flight
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
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.
Lufthansa - Miles & More
29 Jul 2014
Total posts 181
If I remember correctly he said the same about the 787 when it was in Australia and he showed heavy interst in the 777X on initial launch with a repair partnership with air New Zealand I would go 787/777X
19 May 2014
Total posts 40
What about a couple of old dc3 from sudan air.?
Given virgin hasnt made any money this might be the only option!
QF Plat
14 Jul 2014
Total posts 30
You could say the same Qantas
09 Nov 2011
Total posts 88
Spoken like a true Qantas flight attendand with the same attitude most Qantas staff have - look in the mirror - Qantas is a mess
09 Sep 2012
Total posts 139
How convenient for Sydney John, not even having to travel to head office.
09 Nov 2011
Total posts 88
Either way - 787 777x or A350 - MAKE A DESICION!! It is timew for Virgin to get on with expansion and get some more excitement into their International network
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Feb 2014
Total posts 439
Qantas take note.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Feb 2011
Total posts 52
After Flying Qantas A330-200 EX JET STAR HEAPS anything from Virgin has to be better by a country mile!
Qantas needs a kick in the lowest area! Charging $200.00 each way more for Business Class seats that would even be a shock if you have of booked economy.
Maybe Qantas should just give up on the Domestic business sector, If charging 50% more for 50% less doesnt make you money i have no idea what will.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 457
I hope they go the wide bodied Airbus route later this decade.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Virgin Australia warms to Airbus A350