VA and JQ to Fiji

[Michael Morrison]

They can combine them (as per the original request for allocation).

It wouldnt allow for a daily 777 operation. The increase would only allow for a 6 x weekly 777 operation.

[lloyd fox]

Travelweekly reports yesterday that VA will be able to fly 6 a week now, and daily if they use the unused 360 seats they still have.A spokesperson said that the unused 360 seats are for a increase MEL-NAN and ADL-NAN in 2010.

Source

http://www.travelweekly.com.au/dirpl...23_10_2009.pdf

[Stefan Perkas]

Morning all,

Here is a schedule that I found for the V Aus flights to Fiji.

Per GDS timetable display on 31OCT09, V Australia starting 18DEC09 will launch Daily Sydney – Nadi Boeing 777-300ER service. However, reservation is not yet available at the time of this post goes to press.

VA027 SYD0810 – 1320 NAN 77W D
VA028 NAN1455 – 1820 SYD 77W D

Service from 01FEB10 operates 6 weekly (Day x3)

Source: Airline Route Updates

[Anthony T]

Fares are :
Economy $199
Premium Economy $469
Business $649

All one way and inclusive of taxes.

From V Australia

V AUSTRALIA OFFERS $199* FARES TO FIJI – NO BULA!

NEW FLIGHTS TO TAKE OFF DECEMBER 18

Thursday 5 November 2009, Brisbane, Australia: V Australia will launch direct daily flights between Australia and Fiji in time for Christmas following the decision handed down today by the International Air Services Commission to formally grant V Australia its requested capacity.

The new, three-class V Australia flights will begin on 18 December 2009, bringing V Australia’s world class product and services to one of the region’s most important tourism markets.

V Australia applied for the rights to operate daily flights between Sydney and Nadi in August and will operate its brand new, 361 seat Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the route, replacing existing Pacific Blue flights that currently service the route for the Virgin Blue Airlines Group.

It will mean more seats to Fiji for Australian holiday-makers, more bargain fares and the option of being able to travel across the Pacific to Fiji in Premium Economy or International Business Class cabins. All cabins are inclusive of food and beverage service and complimentary in-flight entertainment via the award winning individual seat back RED program.

To celebrate the announcement, V Australia is offering special launch fares, including:

International Economy from $199* one way on the Internet (inclusive of taxes)

International Premium Economy from $469* one way on the Internet (inclusive of taxes)

International Business from $649* one way on the Internet (inclusive of taxes)

The sale is on from now until midnight 30 November 2009 for specific travel periods.^

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey said, “We’re very pleased to be increasing our capacity and introducing V Australia to and from one of Australia’s best loved international getaway destinations. Fiji has long been a holiday hot spot, particularly for families and honeymooning couples. They will now be able to get their holiday or honeymoon off to a great start flying in on Australia’s new international airline in the comfort of any of our three cabins.”

V Australia will use one of its existing 777-300ER aircraft to operate the Sydney to Nadi flights in lieu of the aircraft sitting idle on the tarmac at Sydney Airport in between trans-Pacific flights. The 10 hour round trip has the dual purpose of allowing V Australia to achieve maximum aircraft utilisation while giving Pacific Blue the opportunity to re-direct its aircraft to other new and existing routes.

Brett Godfrey added, “The timing of the V Australia flights will remain in line with the current Pacific Blue flights and will provide convenient connections for US-based guests coming out to Australia and then onwards to Fiji.”

The services will launch daily and from 1 February onwards, will operate six days per week (excluding Wednesday). This is in line with the reduction of Sydney-Los Angeles flights from seven days per week to six days per week, and with previously announced plans to introduce a weekly direct Melbourne-Johannesburg flights from March 2010 (subject to regulatory approval).

[Andrew M]

$649 for business - I'm there!

[Michael Morrison]

How often has their 777 gone tech and needed to be cancelled??? Not many.

Don't see it as an issue really.

[Blair M]

Originally Posted by Andrew

I guess the only issue while the fleet numbers are low is operational recovery should a 777 go belly-up in NAN. I am assuming there isn't much fat in the rotations to allow for significant delays?

Hitting the Trans-Pac services could be costly considering this market is more important to V then Fiji from a yield and market share perspective.

OTP is the number 1 consumer driver for satisfaction over all aspects of the end-to-end experience.

It is a commercial risk - but not a major one. The 777 is extreemly reliable.

It's the same issue for most airlines that fly to ports without major engineering coverage. JQ & QF also hit these hurdles and regurlaly.

There is 2h5m turn around in SYD ex LAX, 1h25m in NAN ex SYD & 2h35m in SYD ex NAN. Plenty of slack should there be delays. Crew hour limitations are to be more of a factor should a pro-longed weather or technical delay occur. But ofcourse nothing is ever fool proof.

[Adrian B]

Will the current issues in the political climate of Fiji have an impact on all carrier ops to Fiji? Is ther a certain political trigger that will either recommend cessation of flights to Fiji, or to cancell all flights?

[Arthur T]

If V Australia is selling $199 for Economy to NAN, should Pacific Blue cease to operate the same route and turn those aircrafts to somewhere else? I think no one will be going to pay the same or even more on Pacific Blue to NAN ever again where there's no luggage, food and entertainment provided for free where V Australia can.

[Marty H]

Arthur,

Pac Blue will no longer operate SYD-NAN it will be stand alone V Australia.