V-Flyer

In this months Airliner World, the boss of Kingfisher advertises his Business Class product as 'better than Virgin Upper Class'. Is it?

I don't know the answer to that one but his beer is better than Virgin Cola.

Miopyk[8D]

well I'd hardly call a seat with 48' pitch and 125 degree recline 'better than Virgin Upper Class' and a quick price comparison shows the UC flight at half the price.

Me thinks some is believing their own hype.

I've never flown in the J2000 seat but that looked better than what Kingfisher are currently offering!

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
I'd hardly call a seat with 48' pitch and 125 degree recline 'better than Virgin Upper Class'

It's rather a lot better than that, very spacious, flat beds, on board bar and breakfast area, great IFE, good food ... yes, I'd say it's on a par with VS - you're looking at the domestic products not International First (and btw Kingfisher domestic first is just about the best of its type in the world, beats VX hands down apart from the lack of alcohol which is banned on Indian domestic flights).

Jet is also pushing VS for market share with their frankly very good offering.

VS has missed India properly, the flights to BOM and DEL are not sufficient in such a huge market and a growing one, the brand is not so big over there either. VS has the rights (I believe) but not the planes to expand where it's needed like MAD, BLR or HYD and now PNQ and CCU - look at how LH and EK have become dominant here! Consequently, VS misses my dozen or so trips to India every year.

Originally posted by slinky09

VS has missed India properly, the flights to BOM and DEL are not sufficient in such a huge market and a growing one, the brand is not so big over there either. VS has the rights (I believe) but not the planes to expand where it's needed like MAD, BLR or HYD and now PNQ and CCU - look at how LH and EK have become dominant here! Consequently, VS misses my dozen or so trips to India every year.

That is true but I believe VS may have been put off by the dominance of BA, AI and EK back in the late 90's when they started opening up Indian routes. One of the reasons why EK does so well is due to its feed from India and Sri Lanka. I guess VS went for the cautious approach.

Of course there is now the additional problems of 9W and IT, who are each attempting to become the VS of India. Worst still in the case of 9W, they must be taking passengers off VS who are doing a US-India run via Europe, as BRU is much more appealing than LHR.

Aircraft numbers are a problem. The lack of a real hub at MAN (services to LAX or SFO and HKG), lack of flights to GRU and PEK (even though they have the green light to operate these services), are three other missed opportunities.

LH, of course, have the muscle behind them not to really worry about things as VS does. Heck they have even started a 319 all business service to Pune IIRC.

I would really love to see VS increase services to INdia and operate to Beijing and Guangzhou.

The problem for VS, has always been, lack of a/c numbers, there have been so many missed opportunities (Seoul for example when no one was flying LHR-Seoul direct) etc.


As for Kingfisher and good old Vijay. I think we can expect big things from them. Their domestic service, from the TR's I have read, is excellent. I am sure their international services will be just as good, even if they have cancelled their 345 order.

Originally posted by willd
Heck they have even started a 319 all business service to Pune IIRC.

Only because the runway's too short for a big 'un!

Originally posted by willd
I am sure their international services will be just as good, even if they have cancelled their 345 order.

I believe, but don't hold me to this, they are buying Thai's 345s for the BLR-SFO and BLR-JFK routes planned ...

So does Kingfisher use a UK call centre to save money? [:P]

Just to bring this one back to the top... we're thinking of going to Sri Lanka this summer, and Kingfisher is one of the airlines the various travel companies are suggesting and they seem quite cheap. We'd be flying economy, but just wondering if anyone knows if they're any good?!

quote:Originally posted by clarkeysntfc
Just to bring this one back to the top... we're thinking of going to Sri Lanka this summer, and Kingfisher is one of the airlines the various travel companies are suggesting and they seem quite cheap. We'd be flying economy, but just wondering if anyone knows if they're any good?!


Yes, they are good in flight and now you can connect in BLR's new airport rather than Mumbai I'd certainly look into it (I see a very short connection time however and I'd check whether your bags get checked through or not). Your options include Sri Lankan direct or Emirates via Dubai.