V Australia Launch and Movements

[Owen H]

And how, exactly, do Virgin plan to get to South Africa?

I hope they are aware they can't go blasting off south like Qantas do! Not many airports at S70.

I wonder if passengers will be prepared to accept a flight that is a few hours longer (maybe even needing a tech stop?) in order to fly V Australia?

[Rhys Xanthis]

Very good point Owen - we had this discussion before, but I don't think we got a real answer.

Perhaps time to start it up again!

From memory they need 330 Minute ETOPS certification on the b773er.

[Grahame Hutchison]

ETOPS - Engines Turning Or Passengers Swimming

[Michael Morrison]

Rumour is a SYD-PER-JNB flight.

[Radi K]

Originally Posted by Arthur T

Finally, VA can consider to run a daily B737-800 service out of CNS to HKG or SIN etc, as QF/JQ isn't doing those services and is mainly dominated by foreign carriers.

Someone told me something similar might not be far off using 737-700s with PB tails. Ex a Northern aus destination to Asia.

[Rhys Xanthis]

Originally Posted by Michael Morrison

Rumour is a SYD-PER-JNB flight.

now THAT is very interesting...could take QF and SAA in one hit.

edit: would domestic sectors for per-syd and syd-per be allowed?

[Montague S]

Originally Posted by Owen H

And how, exactly, do Virgin plan to get to South Africa?

I hope they are aware they can't go blasting off south like Qantas do! Not many airports at S70.

I wonder if passengers will be prepared to accept a flight that is a few hours longer (maybe even needing a tech stop?) in order to fly V Australia?

can always blast west to Perth, god only knows that the nonstop price out of here is beyond ridiculous, it was cheaper for me to fly SQ when I visited the Rainbow nation, even got a stopover for free for 2 days.

what puzzles me is the fact that Emirates charge in excess of $3000 return to South Africa from Australia, yet Etihad only charge $1500 or so.

[Owen H]

They could do a domestic sector if they wanted to.

I can't see how they "take out Qantas" with a flight that is a few hours longer with a stopover!

They'd be more of a threat to SAA on that route. I often wonder though if they will actually bring down fares, or they'll just sit a hundred bucks cheaper than their competitors and share the loads.

[Robert Zweck]

I see where the V Australia B777 is doing some training through Adelaide.

Doing a "touch and go" around 1100 tomorrow and again several hours later

Where would it be coming from?

Then more next week. Plenty of viewing opportunities.

[Bill S]

I had a look at their new 777 last night while waiting for the Metro to be loaded - It's quite large!
I stood in front of the engine while the FO took a photo with my camera phone.