V-Flyer

Could somebody tell me that is the set up and aircrsft to Singapore - when you try book on line it advises only economy / but advises its shared with Singapore aIRLINES

I travel to Singapore twice a year and would not mind trying out the Virgin if they had UC (Thats if i enjoy the Barbados uc next month)
Keith



{edited - preiffer : connected title}

It is code share with SingAir

VS only codeshare in the economy cabin on SQ flights as well, hence, only been able to book economy.

Regards

I wonder if they will ever look at BKK - it's such a busy route and with BA/Qantas being the only airlines really flying from the UK bar Thai - there must be an open opportunity for Virgin.

Maybe they will look at BKK- but you must remember that there is alot of competition on the route with TG, BA, QF all direct, SQ via SIN, EK via DXB, QR via DOH, MH via KUL, Ethiad etc.

I believe that in the agreement signed with SQ when they took a 49% there was a clause that said that VS or any Virgin brand could never be in competition with SQ at all. Im not sure if this would be seen as competition to SQ- but considering that Virgin Blue- the Aussie low fare airline- had to name its international arm Pacific Blue because of this reason- I would imagine that VS arent allowed to operate the service.

Maybe they will look at BKK- but you must remember that there is alot of competition on the route with TG, BA, QF all direct, SQ via SIN, EK via DXB, QR via DOH, MH via KUL, Ethiad etc.

Funnily enough, BKK was one of the destinations on SRBs wishlist in the Dec 04 Press Release

BKK would be a good route in terms of down under expansion, but yes, its already one of huge hubs in Asia with a lot of competition - still, VS took on DXB?

I wonder if they will ever look at BKK - it's such a busy route and with BA/Qantas being the only airlines really flying from the UK bar Thai - there must be an open opportunity for Virgin

EVA AIR also fly direct from LHR-BKK sometimes some good fares in W amd J.

I think VS took DXB due to the demand from Virgin Holidays- they can get good loads due to people going on holiday on the route.

BKK is a tougher nut to crack with no 'guaranteed' seats from VH- it would have a good mixture of business travelers and backpackers- it would fit into the GE well though. and i suspect always be full- unlike one service i can think of

But as i said Im not sure that SQ will like it too much. There certainly is politics in VS now with the SQ 49% stake- I guess apart from SQ not wanting VS taking pax off them, SQ will also argue that VS are supposed to complement them not be their rivals. If you look at the current routes- they complement SQ- SYD offers a different routing, US services offer an alternative and a much better spread etc. etc.

Remember a number of years ago all the talk was of ICN because at the time Korean, Asiana and BA didnt operate a link- it just shows how times change.

It would be great to see VS on the SIN route- it would fit in rather nicely- but again I dont see SQ being very happy at all.

[i]Originally posted by HighFlyer[/i

BKK would be a good route in terms of down under expansion, but yes, its already one of huge hubs in Asia with a lot of competition - still, VS took on DXB?

DXB is only the major hub for EK where as BKK is a major asian hub for many airlines some as mentioned above and others EG SK, AF, LH etc

Also a mini hub for a number of Middle Eastern carriers- both EK and Ethiad use BKK for services onto HKG i believe.

I can see all your points but I still believe BKK would be a fantastic route for Virgin - If you consider its one of the biggest growing vacation sectors in the world for both back packers and up market holidays - and now is becoming a more acceptable value holiday destination.
Sia would also see Virgin flyers for flights onwards to other destinations in Asia visa Bkk and further afield.

Just a thought anyway in the hope they may add it to their destinations - All Bkk flights from Uk start out from Heathrow - BA / Thai / and 3 others (i believe) - however all from London - what about Manchester - I know flying from Dublin alone I will do anything to avoid Heathrow - that must apply to most from Birmingham up -

BKK would be high maintenance in my eyes, I agree that it carries heavy competition which VH cannot offset like DXB. Unless it can be combined as a MEL stopover, it would be hard to generate an nett profit while under pressure from SQ.[:#]

What's the current policy on MAN and non holiday/vacation routes?? Is the business sector being considered does anyone know??? [:?]