V Australia cans Melbourne - LAX

[Montague S]

our friends from the new start-up carrier have decided the MEL-LAX route won't be taking place this September.

its not made news just yet but it will soon.

[Brad Myer]

Resulting in some job losses in MEL as well I believe

[Marty H]

There was never any V Australia base in Melbourne, SYD-JNB makes more sense especially with the Soccerwho's going to the Soccer World Cup to get spanked.

[Montague S]

some other news regarding V, it now seems they're scaling back some SYD-LAX flights by re-routing passengers via BNE.

http://business.theage.com.au/busine...0602-budx.html

[Rhys Xanthis]

eep.

time to find new routes, quick...

[Montague S]

the job losses come from Toll DNATA who were to be the handling agent.

right now it's safe to say the Socceroos are doing better than V Australia.

[Rhys Xanthis]

Originally Posted by Montague S

right now it's safe to say the Socceroos are doing better than V Australia.

hahaha...

Swine Flu would not be helping their case!

What is it? Just really poor forward bookings as a result of the economic crisis?

QF have the pockets to go in to a price war, they don't want to do that...new routes is the only thing.

JNB, NRT...they have a problem competing with JQ on most int'l routes within their range really...HNL would be a great destination for VA (all the beaches fit in with their light view on everything)...but JQ are already there, they have lots of Japan covered...Hong Kong wouldn't be an option (lots of capacity on this route already really...from most aussie cities)...

Racking my brains and I can't think of anywhere they can go to make a real winner...

[Robert S]

Originally Posted by Montague S

some other news regarding V, it now seems they're scaling back some SYD-LAX flights by re-routing passengers via BNE.

http://business.theage.com.au/busine...0602-budx.html

Did this ever get verified?

Originally Posted by Michael Morrison

there loads seem to be around 60%+ most days and they are building a reasonably loyal following.

Most pax who have flown on them appear to have had a good experience.

I flew over to LAX in mid-April and returned in mid-May... awesome experience both ways. The food was great, the IFE is world class (and as much as I am a KrisFlyer fan, the sheer responsiveness and ease of use of V Australia's system is so refreshing), the seats are comfortable but most importantly the crew are impeccably friendly and attentive. The huge thing you notice is that the crew who are on duty during the night do not hide away in the galleys and maintain a positive attitude without exception... it's the attitude of people who love their jobs. You can't go for a wander around the cabin at any time without at least one crew member at least saying hello, but more likely than not will casually ask how you're going. If there was anything on your mind that you needed, you wouldn't have the slightest problem finding someone to ask. Even the little things are thought of - such as distributing the USB powered lights to people who are reading and getting them to turn their overhead lights off, which makes for a nice dark cabin if you want to try to sleep.

Unless you're one of those people who just hates the whole DJ style, the choice across the Pacific is a complete no-brainer. The one and only thing they could possibly do better would be to have the good old hot towels. QF would have to be significantly cheaper to make me consider them on this route.

[Michael Morrison]

Originally Posted by Robert S

Did this ever get verified?
.

The flight never ops ion WED's in May.

I believe it is back now though.... loads have picked up - she went out full on Sunday night.

[Will H]

Originally Posted by Robert S

Even the little things are thought of - such as distributing the USB powered lights to people who are reading and getting them to turn their overhead lights off, which makes for a nice dark cabin if you want to try to sleep.

What's this about USB lights?