V Australia Delays Last 2 777s

[Will H]

(Disclaimer--I wrote it ;))


V Australia, Virgin Blue's long-haul subsidiary, has converted its last two B777-300ER on firm order to options, according to a company spokeswoman.

Changing the orders to options "allow us better commercial terms, in particular more desirable delivery slots in mid-2012 to suit anticipated growth plans", she says.

More here: http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/wings-down-under/2010/04/v-australia-delays-two-777s.html

[Andrew M]

That is sad news!

So VA will have 5 aircraft until 2012 at this stage!

[Will H]

And V will also likely not have new destinations unless it drops present ones or adds an infrequent (not daily) flight to somewhere within 10 hours.

[Andrew M]

Indeed!

Was hoping for Japan or San Fran flights!

Sounds like VA are happy just to use their current planes on the current routes, with the resumption of daily SYD-LAX and three times weekly MEL-LAX flights.

From the article and maybe I am reading into it too much...

"With Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey handing over the reins to former Qantas executive John Borghetti on 8 May, the move also "gives the incoming executive management adequate time to consider potential aircraft capabilities and to assess options," she explains."

B787s/A380's? :cool:

[Harry G]

and assess what QF/JQ will be doing with their new planes!

[Michael Morrison]

All the latest rumblings seem to suggest they are now proiftable with the current routes etc so I guess it makes sense to bed them down a little more before embarking on further expansion.

[Will H]

Indeed!From the article and maybe I am reading into it too much...

"With Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey handing over the reins to former Qantas executive John Borghetti on 8 May, the move also "gives the incoming executive management adequate time to consider potential aircraft capabilities and to assess options," she explains."

B787s/A380's? :cool:

Don't think A380s are on the cards, but I don't think you're reading into too much with regards to the 787. ;)

We also don't know how the Delta JV, if approved by the US, will change their current ops.

[Andrew M]

The 777-300ER is a big bird to fill :)

The 787 may be good for other routes :D

[Michael Mak]

The 777-300ER is a big bird to fill :)
What about the B777-200LR? It's smaller than the 77W and has longer range, it shares many features with the 77W as well.

[Andrew M]

Surprised they didn't go for the 777-200LR actually!

Does anyone know if/how much the 777W's are weight restricted much on MEL-LAX or in particular LAX-MEL ?

I know the Air Canada 77W's had restrictions on passenger numbers on the SYD-LAX-SYD route when it was on it. Now they run the 777-200LR exclusively !

[Will H]

What about the B777-200LR? It's smaller than the 77W and has longer range, it shares many features with the 77W as well.

Well Godfrey has made his view of the -200LR clear:
"Delta (is probably using) the wrong aeroplane, quite frankly, to fly from Sydney to Los Angeles. It is a wonderful aeroplane but it is built for 18 to 20 hour missions," he said. "Talk to the Boeing folk and I think they will tell you that, like for like, there is probably a 15 per cent differential in terms of seat cost on the two aeroplanes so that is quite a huge advantage for us."
http://www.smh.com.au/travel/bransons-new-baby-how-v-australia-measures-up-20090213-86oz.html

Maybe Borghetti has a different view?

Although Qantas doesn't have a stellar track record with any 777. ;)

[Adam G]

Well Godfrey has made his view of the -200LR clear:


All he said there was it wasn't the right a/c for the SYD/LAX route and it was essentially designed for ULH routes...

[Will H]

Where would you suggest V send a 77L?

[Jayden Laing]

London??? When they possibly start to open up that route into their network

[Jarden S]

I think London too would be good non stop from Perth.

[Tony P]

I think Jarden knows something......:p

[Jayden Laing]

Well i know V Australia are doing some charter flights to London at the moment to help ease the Volcano Crisis.
I'm hoping that this could lead to something more permanent. :rolleyes:

[Michael Mak]

What's the details of those charter flights?

[Jayden Laing]

Not too sure but all I know is that they operating them to help ease the crisis now that European airspace is now open again.

[Michael Morrison]

Really? They have a PRETTY tight schedule for their aircraft as it is.

What commerical flights have been cancelled to provide this uplift?

Who pays for it? Whats in it for VA as none of their pax are sranded???

Seems awfully strange.

[Jayden Laing]

Michael, as I said earlier, i don't know a great deal about it. All i know is that V Australia will be flying to London to help alleviate the problem in Heathrow & bringing stranded passengers home to Australia.

[Andrew M]

Maybe to help out Virgin Atlantic ?

No idea how they find a spare 30 hours + of flying time for any of their planes!

They must have canceled a few flights somewhere!

[Rick K]

Jayden,
I noticed you said "I know" in regard to VA doing these supposed flights!
But! What planes are the using?
Surely you mean Virgin Atlantic - VS -- not VA

[Michael Morrison]

Why would V Aus sabotage their operations to help VS?? I just dont see it.

VA has no flights to LHR and likely no customers there either.

To operate LHR flights they would need to have cancelled some LAX/JNB/HKT flying and all ofthose seem to be operating as normal.

[Robert S]

Why would V Aus sabotage their operations to help VS?? I just dont see it.

Not only that, but wouldn't they need a whole bunch of rights and approvals that they do not possess?

VA has no flights to LHR and likely no customers there either.

Exactly - no ground staff or support... there's only so much they could "borrow" from VS, who would be overstretched as it is, plus VS do not operate 777s.

[Jayden Laing]

Originally posted my Rick K
Surely you mean Virgin Atlantic - VS -- not VA

Rick, it came from a person who i know who works for V Australia. So whether they (the person) are getting their hopes up or simply misunderstood something, I dont Know??:confused:
But that's just what they told me.

[Bob C]

Hi Jayden

In view of the tone of the responses you've received to your post, perhaps you should print off the replies and show them to your friend at Virgin ?

And ask him/her to clarify the situation which will hopefully then put people at ease.

[Skip Fulton]

We're flying to London ? Wow. I'd better head into the office and help get a few things sorted out in that case. Not sure what we're canceling to do this but it's going to be an impressive sight.

[Kurt A]

Oh Skip, you just ruined our bubble :p
Long time, no speak, hope you're well!