V Australia?

[Montague S]

well their business class and premium economy fares are more in line with that of Qantas, so, I'd guess they are targeting the carrier that does the most business on the route...which is the sensible thing to do. this product is not even close to what UA offers on the their 744's, for a start UA don't have PTV in their economy class or economy plus, I could go on but the differences don't really need highlighting.

[Andrew M]

Agreed

UA is rubbish in Economy and will be for the next 5-10 years on the 744's. Even with the refits coming up, which they still haven't got one 744 up and running, the Y product is not changing besides maybe some new seat covers.

The only thing that saves UA is the easy upgrade policy

As they have 9months to go to the launch, if they have a few $1699, $1799 sales along the way they will be going fine.

9months to fill 3months worth of flights, nothing to hard

[Andrew M]

Originally Posted by Sarah C

Reading thier details, they are trying to be similar to United, just without the lounges and P Class. They are certainly a full service airline, not the traditional DJ product. For those who know UA's pricing, is V Aus cheaper or more expensive? (not the sale fare, the standard fare).

QF releasing the North America sale is basically in response to it.

V Australia will have lounges - They even say they are looking into it. Problem being whose lounge are they going to use in SYD ?
QF - Ummm
SQ - Ummm well maybe actually
NZ - The only other option

They are not competing with UA they are exceeding UA.

Qantas is the competitor

Also what QF sale to North America ? I see nothing special ?

[Montague S]

Originally Posted by Andrew M

Agreed


The only thing that saves UA is the easy upgrade policy

even then you could get unlucky and be stuck in their old business class seat...

[Michael Morrison]

Originally Posted by Andrew M

They are not competing with UA they are exceeding UA.

Qantas is the competitor

Exactly - they are going after QF - especially in Y where they will actually offer more leg room.

Business will have fully flat, fully horizantal J seating as well.

[Andrew M]

Yes so yet again better than QF 744's I really dislike the Skybed, and even the look of the Skybed II for the A380 is really only flatter, not much else and not private enough.

The J suites on AC are beautiful and NZ is nearly the same. VA will be very similar again.

The problem for QF is that they need/want a First class on some routes, so how do they keep the J seats separate enough to not eat away at the First market. If QF did proper J suites like well every other major airline the need for first would pretty much dimish

[Andrew M]

Originally Posted by Montague S

even then you could get unlucky and be stuck in their old business class seat...

Yes and for the next 2 or so years that is a big problem

No way I would day $10k and HOPE to get a new seat

Much safer to fly VA, NZ, QF and get a good seat worth the $$

[Michael Morrison]

Originally Posted by Andrew M

Also what QF sale to North America ? I see nothing special ?

A sale email just popped into the inbox from QF for North America.... nothing special though

Honolulu $1286
San Francisco $2046
Los Angeles $2146
New York (JFK) $2346
Vancouver $2405

[Montague S]

skybed is an embarrassment especially when they had the chance to really attack SQ with a new product for their A380. The real question is this, how long down the track will it be when QF realise their business product is outdated and then launch a costly upgrade process?