Soft launch for Sydney?

Now that the SYD routes are available on-line again on the new-look VS website, it strikes me as odd how low key this new route has been thus far.

Is it perhaps that the route has been only "soft launched", and that a flashier more public announcement will follow?

I would expect some selling points to be: "suites to OZ", "V:Port to Oz", and perhaps code-sharing agreements with Virgin Blue, and cheap launch fares! but as yet nothing.

Recent advertisments in the FT have been for Suites to JFK, and recently SFO, but nothing on SYD.

Cant believe VS have missed a publicity opportunity - does anyone know any more?

Hi Richard

I thought we were still awaiting EC approval for this? According to what people have said on a.net it's all tied in with Cathay getting reciprocal LHR-JFK rights, which I assume they haven't got yet as there's nothing on their website.

I can't imagine VS missing out on a chance of some publicity!

Cheers
Alan

I agree with the low-key introduction of the SYD route. The only publicity was linked in with the 20th anniversary of VS.

I am currently booked to fly from SYD to LHR on VS (Upper Class) in January.

Currently showing J2000 configuration, which is the same for all flights to SYD.

This doesnÕt seem to be in keeping with VS introduction of UCS, LHR first then LGW, especially as MCO routes are showing UCS and if the refit goes to plan all 346Õs should be suite configured by October of this year.

Maybe it is true that they are still waiting for EU approval. I do remember there was talk of promotions on introduction of the new route, as yet these do not seem to have appeared.

Hello....
SYD is confirmed , so dont worry !!!
its only low key , as the first flight is in December .
Little airline fact its going to be a A340-600 , based in Hong Kong
and there will be a mixtue of crew from hong kong , oz and the uk

aichabum- dont believe everything that u see on a.net- as far as i am concerned the flights to SYD are going ahead after all VS have been taking books for about a month and a half- what are they going to do with all those people who are looking to get to Oz for Xmas? Just turn around and say no you cant go!!??!! And no they could rebook them on another carrier- the cost would be way too much!

SYD will go ahead- i too have thought it would be a loud launch but nothing of yet. Perhaps this is becuase its a december/peak season for Oz launch and they know they can fill the aircraft. VS are now selling Y tickets for 9th Dec-2nd Jan at £1,700 on expedia, opodo and there own website! All other carriers are up in the £1,300 + range. The plane is full the route is selling well so what is the point in advertising it full on yet? I would guess come on the end of the southern hemisphere rush it will be advertising to the full, cheap fares etc.

It is also interesting to note that buying a ticket on VS SYD-LHR-SYD is almost twice as expensive as LHR-SYD-LHR suggesting no marketing has been properly done in oz yet becuase the flight is full with Brits. I would imagine come the end of the summer (so around late Feb/march) we will see special fares and advertsing galore. With fares as low as £500 for this period i believe the advertising will be after the same when the guaranteed full a/c have gone.

Also remember they are up against some huge carriers on the LHR-SYD routing- QF/BA have 6 daily flights to SYD this Dec including 3 that take off at the same time as the VS (9pm), SQ have 4 flights to SIN from LHR connecting to 5 flights to SYD. VS have just one flight via HKG- so they will remain hush till they believe they are 100% satisfied with it.

seems like there's some special offer economy fares for the launch - available on selected dates for £603/£700 from the VS Website. Book by 8th November.

They don't earn miles though [:(]

Cheers

Michael

I flew back from SYD to LHR on Thursday and in the terminal area around the SIA and Air New Zealand lounges there were large vertical banners everywhere announcing SYD-LHR on Virgin "starting December 2004"

No mention of UCS, but you could not miss them! Maybee VS want people to book their next trip, hence the airside location?

No other advertising around the airport that I could see, so would seem that the softly softly approach is not just the UK.

Cheers

Chris R.

With apologies if you already knew, but the miles required for SYD have been added to VS website

SYDNEY (Econ) 90,000 (PE) 112,500 (UCS) 180,000

Interesting that there are only 22,500 miles difference between Y and PE.

jules.

Hi Jules

Yeah - the mileage details were posted in this thread a while back too.

The VS website has them here

Cheers

Michael