From SRB - Virgin Atlantic Likely to Make Alliance

From Marketing magazine:

http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/1090194/Virgin-Atlantic-likely-alliance-says-Branson/

Mmmm, do you read that, especially the last paragraph as a "Virgin" alliance might be created ?|

David

I read that too and decided not to post, because I am bored with the gobs**te coming out of SRBs mouth on this from month to month. We've had the "VS joining an alliance in three months" story (ended August), we've had the "A VS global alliance would be a good thing" story, we've had the "Open to airline investors" story ... we've had the "We're looking at BMI" story ... the "SQ wants to divest" story, the "VS appoints DB" story, etc. etc. etc. (as the song in the musical goes!).

I'm left with the conclusion that either no one wants to party with VS or the VS hierarchy don't know their a**es from their elbows. Either way, as for a strategic plan for the future, there doesn't seem to be one.

Agreed. I too wish we could just "know" one way or another and move on from the guess work.

I wonder what a virgin alliance would mean?

[mitchja]

I wonder what a virgin alliance would mean?

Not very much as there's no Virgin coverage for the rest of Europe.

"would make sense to have a partner for the business" while stressing he intended to retain control.

err I know I am stating the obvious but as SQ hold 49% don't they count as a partner or does he mean a 'willing' partner.
I also think there is a big difference between a 'business partner' and an 'alliance partner'
The fact that he intends to remain 51% shareholder clearly shows it is the SQ stake he is busy touting rather than his own. The problem is who can afford to buy and if they can afford why would they want to.

<< it is "likely" an alliance with another airline would take place.>> this is red herring really as there are already many alliances with other airlines.

Oh not this again!

It's rapidly becoming the most pouplar re-posted thread along with

'Whats on the Menu?'

'Which is the best seat?'

'What happened to my seat reservation?'

Tonty you forgot "Greetings from the..."...which I personally find totally pointless and just a little unnecessarily ostentacious....

At least the others could be posted by newbies and actually have a purpose for them...

In fairness to SRB I don't think he actually created a press conference to specifically talk about the Alliance. It seems he was asked the question by a magazine who printed the answer. Hardly SRB shouting from the rooftops.....on this occasion 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonbruner/2 ... d-branson/

In fairness to SRB I don't think he actually created a press conference to specifically talk about the Alliance. It seems he was asked the question by a magazine who printed the answer. Hardly SRB shouting from the rooftops.....on this occasion 

Then in fairness to SRB, he should either be consistent in his comment, or keep his mouth shut (I know, very difficult for him ): ).

As I am led to believe on the 11-11-11 the Continental/United merger is completed. The planes will run with Continental's tail and United on the body. VS code share with CO but not with UA. With the loss of passengers from the code share will VS not have to make an alliance with someone bigger than JetBlue in the US? Would this also explain the large miles sale at the moment to put pax on the A/C for the future months?

As it is billed as a merger not takeover then the codeshare with CO should continue until the current agreement is up for renewal.
Mostly the VS/CO routes are not well served by UA (JFK-LHR being the main one).
Also CO codeshare on VS flights from UK to non-US destinations etc which doesn't ipact what UA offer.
I have some CO flights booked for next year on VS so they are still taking bookings for now.

Many thanks, with reference to CO, did a Z class from TPA to LAX last month and got the new 757 suites. Really nice indeed, wonder if the new design VS will come up will be on par with CO's offerings. Off topic I know, apologies...

If you mean the CO seat that is twisted towards the window I didn't think it was a patch on the VS seat. If you have a window seat it is difficult to get out if the isle seat is flat.
Also there is a tiny triangle of space to put your feet on.
The VS seats all have easy access and plenty of space for your feet.

This old chestnut. I avoided commenting at the weekend, as these debates do become tiresome however I now see todays Forbes quote so clearly this issue is gaining momentum.

I have posted at length on this before and my thoughts still are:

- Skyteam would be a better bet given DL's closer relationship with DJ, BE's closer relationship with AF and Cityjet meaning that VS could get some decent fed with a few tweaks and because VS would be greatly enhanced by DLs feed and could finally have some semi decent South America options.

- Star holds weight though due SQ (if they are still keen), dare I say it BD and because of the strong links with other partner airlines.

- However I think a much better tie up for VS (allowing them to exercise a bit of control) would be some sort of EY/DJ/VX/VS tie up and expanding it.

Personally though I dont buy into all this alliance melarky and am surprised that lots of people here arent a tiny bit miffed. Lets not forget that the first major change will be a huge drop in reward seats on VS as every man and his dog will all of a sudden be able to book reward seats.

This old chestnut. I avoided commenting at the weekend, as these debates do become tiresome however I now see todays Forbes quote so clearly this issue is gaining momentum.

I have posted at length on this before and my thoughts still are:

- Skyteam would be a better bet given DL's closer relationship with DJ, BE's closer relationship with AF and Cityjet meaning that VS could get some decent fed with a few tweaks and because VS would be greatly enhanced by DLs feed and could finally have some semi decent South America options.

- Star holds weight though due SQ (if they are still keen), dare I say it BD and because of the strong links with other partner airlines.

- However I think a much better tie up for VS (allowing them to exercise a bit of control) would be some sort of EY/DJ/VX/VS tie up and expanding it.

Personally though I dont buy into all this alliance melarky and am surprised that lots of people here arent a tiny bit miffed. Lets not forget that the first major change will be a huge drop in reward seats on VS as every man and his dog will all of a sudden be able to book reward seats.

"...am surprised that lots of people here arent a tiny bit miffed. Lets not forget that the first major change will be a huge drop in reward seats on VS as every man and his dog will all of a sudden be able to book reward seats."...

Is that really ture though? Won't the same be ture thoughout any alliance, thus reward seats on VS alone may become harder to find, but the broader options are greater?

Anyway, all just theoretical until, and if, we know what is actually going to happen.

Chatting to acquaintance at wend who is Corp LH, without them saying too much the suggestion of *a is v v unlikely, more likely form their own....

"...am surprised that lots of people here arent a tiny bit miffed. Lets not forget that the first major change will be a huge drop in reward seats on VS as every man and his dog will all of a sudden be able to book reward seats."...

Is that really ture though? Won't the same be ture thoughout any alliance, thus reward seats on VS alone may become harder to find, but the broader options are greater?

The fear is that there are a lot of DL, KLM, AF frequent fliers who may well see VS as a superior offering and want to dump their big miles piles on UC redemptions ... hence greater competition for bums on VS seats versus the relatively smaller number of VS FFs who (well this one at least) have no inclination to try a second rate product on SkyTeam airlines.

SQ know this too, which is why they severely restrict non-SQ *A members from using miles for SQ J and F seats. How they get away with it is beyond me, they really shouldn't be allowed to but they do.

Anyway, agreed, it is all theoretical ... but there's no harm in a bit of speculation, it is a discussion forum after all!

I know we shouldn't read too much in to this but Greg has put the following comment on the VS facebook page in response to a question about alliances:

"We're not currently a member of an alliance but we've been a strong independent airline for 27 years in the industry and we are very happy to remain so going forward. I hope we'll see you on board at some point this year. Greg "

Doesn't sound like alliances are forthcoming to me

Interesting....maybe he just means "...if that's what transpires".

To be honest, if VS continue to open up new routes, perhaps, and I mean perhaps, acquire other slots/routes and continue with airline partner expansion, what possible advantage is there to an alliance anyway?

"We're not currently a member of an alliance but we've been a strong independent airline for 27 years in the industry and we are very happy to remain so going forward.

Being independant does not preclude being in an alliance although with the major alliances so bloated the advantages seem to be dwindling.

They need to pay attention to losing BMI which will switch to OW and Malaysia is joining OW this year so that will go. Also CO have strong VS ties but UA have none so that is one to watch.

There is a pretty strong Virgin alliance in place now that V Australia is now called Virgin Australia; with Virgin America and Atlantic that is a pretty wide route network.
I think the Far East (Thailand especially) needs beefing up (SQ don't count as they are not a willing partner with VS or *A).

Having said all that I am curious about the miles redemption changes which bring them much more in line with *A redemptions but maybe that is just to maintain a competitive edge.

Virgin's failure to join an alliance is one key factor in my determination of whether to stay with the airline - having the options to easily earn miles and TPs, get reciprocal recognition of status, be able to book multi stop routes easily and with flexibility, are things that are increasingly important. Also, VS is losing my business as a consequence - in ten days I fly to Manila, OK I can do it on SQ but actually I wanted to fly to HKG and then down, but VS has no partnerships available to do this on one PNR, of course, I could easily do it on One World with BA and CX for example!

The whole will we won't we miscommunication does not instil confidence in a management team that knows what it wants ...

Virgin's failure to join an alliance is one key factor in my determination of whether to stay with the airline - having the options to easily earn miles and TPs, get reciprocal recognition of status, be able to book multi stop routes easily and with flexibility, are things that are increasingly important. Also, VS is losing my business as a consequence - in ten days I fly to Manila, OK I can do it on SQ but actually I wanted to fly to HKG and then down, but VS has no partnerships available to do this on one PNR, of course, I could easily do it on One World with BA and CX for example!

The whole will we won't we miscommunication does not instil confidence in a management team that knows what it wants ...

... and if that's what is happening with a top Gold flyer who must spend £ tens of thousands with VS annually, that is not great for the VS bottom line!