V-Flyer

I recall an email from Flying club around the start of the year regarding "Exciting Developments" resulting from the Joint Venture with Delta. The details were promised soon. Six months later there is still little, if any, news.
I was wondering what good things might happen, apart from the usual Earn/Spend arrangements? Anyone with a crystal ball, industry knowledge, or previous experience of JVs care to make a guess?
Personally I would love to see the ability to transfer points between VS and DL (I have a DL stash as a result of flying DUB-ATL).

It would be great of DL did oomplimentary space available upgrades on domestic flights like they do for KL/AF Gold & Plat members.

There is now a bit more information here: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/tr ... lines.html

Jonathan

Approval, while likely to be unconditional, has not happened yet.

I hope VS get Delta's plainly superior web booking software.

wwings wrote:It would be great of DL did oomplimentary space available upgrades on domestic flights like they do for KL/AF Gold & Plat members.

I would still expect the chances to be low of this as they are likely to favour their primary FF members first and with so many earning opps now unless you are top of the DL tree your chances are slim even then.

I would imagine that the DL/VS joint venture would bring similar benefits to the tie up with SQ all those years ago.

Hopefully there will be more reward availability but I get the feeling that there won't. Mileage and TP earning would be a good addition though.

I am also looking forward to trying the DL product offering, I see adverts for them all the time on the DLR.

Call me sceptical, but I really wonder what benefits will flow from this deal. The DL network in the US is useful, but to be honest I would always fly VX if I possibly could (and this is getting easier as their network expands). My last DL transcon was pretty poor, really -- not really much better than AA.

I know it makes financial sense, but if it degrades the Clubhouse experience, lessens UC reward availability, or weakens VS's links with VX, then -- for me, at least -- I will struggle to be enthusiastic.

The key benefit for me is if DL will recognize FC status and match that - I agree that where DL and VX go head to head VX is a given. But VX has only 21 destinations and DL has I guess about 300 in the US. Transcons aside, I fly to a lot of US cities so that matching alone will be very beneficial.

It'll be interesting to see how VS and DL will resolve this, because some would argue that DL say Platinum Medallion should get reciprocal benefits on VS, such as complimentary cabin upgrades. Now that won't go down well.

I agree about Clubhouses, but then this will only likely to apply to JFK in the short term.

Sealink, I completely agree with you about the DL booking engine and website, add their Apps too, those are the best of any airline.

I'm hoping for:
- seamless ability to book online for indirect itineries from the UK to US cities which aren't on the VS network such as TPA.
- interlock of VS/DL schedules across the pond, and easier connections at shared hubs e.g. JFK.
- ability to earn FC miles & TP's for DL flights.
- ability to redeem FC miles on all DL flights, and avoid fuel surcharge where possible.
- new VS desinations e.g. Seattle/Atlanta.

I'm not hoping for:
- DL flyers making VS reward flights harder to get.
- DL flyers crowding the clubhouses
- Any degradation of VS' service to bring it down to the same level of a US carrier.
- Skyteam membership, because I don't see the other members as being particularly beneficial partners for VS.
- DL partnership to affect the interline agreement with JetBlue, my favourite US airline.

Sealink wrote:Not so plain sailing?

The way I read the article before the tweet was that a code share had been approved pending final decision of the JV? After approving the BA/AA JV a few years ago I don't know how they could justify not approving the VS/DL tie up? Or am I not 'getting' it?

This has now been approved by both US and EU regulators.

For the Mods, may I suggest that V-Flyer has a single thread which captures the VS/DL JV discussion in one place?

Reason I say this is I feel thta this could be a busy subject in the next few months!