VA int'l changes in 2017

[Rowan McKeever]

* VA re-introducing B777 services on MEL-LAX 5 times weekly from April 2017.
* MEL-LAX made possible with the cessation of SYD-AUH (EY's current 4 times weekly B777 service on this route will go to daily, complementing the daily A380).
* BNE-LAX will be reduced from daily to 6 times weekly.
* VA to begin A332 services on PER-AUH 3 times weekly.

http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-to-launch-melbourne-los-angeles-flights

http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-to-begin-perth-abu-dhabi-flights

[MarkR]

PER to AUH should do well, EY have had high loads on that route with A330s in the past. GUess that also means the EY wet lease comes to an end ex KUL for the 777.

[Yusef D]

That AUH-KUL wetlease finished a long time ago.

Still no indication of China/HKG flights and how they could be operated by an already stretched widebody fleet. Have heard PEK is indefinitely delayed.

[James Smith]

Airline Routes on 20 September is reporting that the Virgin Australia BNE to LAX flights will remain at 7 per week with the Saturday flight from LAX operating earlier and the Sunday flight from BNE operating later. AusBT is reporting a reduction to 6 per week.

On existing Los Angeles market, Virgin Australia will adjust Brisbane – Los Angeles schedule from 08APR17. Saturdays service from Los Angeles, Sundays from Brisbane will move to night-time operation.

VA007 BNE1050 – 0655LAX 77W x7
VA009 BNE2130 – 1735LAX 77W 7

VA006 LAX1115 – 1815+1BNE 77W 6
VA008 LAX2350 – 0650+2BNE 77W x6

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/268952/virgin-australia-resumes-melbourne-los-angeles-service-from-april-2017/

[Rowan McKeever]

There's an error in the Routes Online / Airline Routes report. From memory there is no Friday service in one direction and no Monday service in the other on BNE-LAX vv.