Virgin Network Changes

That explains why VH been dragging their feet on my canada/alaska trip next year!

I think DL has just made VS wake up, really.
VS is returning to its routes. Increasing flights to US to feed DL is hardly assimilating.

Anything flying East is a lost cause, due to MEC's. It was bound to happen. Hong Kong next? They never did replace the 2nd flight.

I stand by my prediction. Returning to its "roots"...why are DL not investing to push the brand and coverage?
sit back and watch over the next couple of years....
Await the Last flight to Newark fanfare, before Branson leaves..

There will be a 5 year plan sat on DL's table..

VS have offered to rebook us on DL business via SEA to YVR, which sounds ok.

However as we have no return (flights not available yet due to dates) we appear to have to chance our arm at anything decent coming up.

In the meantime I have booked a oneway BA club award using Avios direct home on our exact preferred date.

Decision is whether to bin VS and get a refund and see what we can do with Avios on the way out, chance our arm when VS release flights, or stick with what we have.

LHR - JFK - YVR in BA/CX F and J respectively looks like it could be a decent substitute.

I think the seats are not actually confirmed until you get a ticket - but it's the best we can get until tomorrow

yeah true.
i called a third time and got through to swansea and fingers crossed we are now on a BA flight.
I chose BA over ANA due to flight times.
so fingers crossed.
blacky - i hope you are right but i fear this is just about asset stripping. detroit? lol i wouldnt go there even if you paid for a BA F ticket lol
seriously though do VS think they can win over FF of other transatlantic national airlines when they are cutting their routes and services.
i will miss VS CC and the DTCI.
but glad i could try it even only once.
sayonara virgin.

Regarding the person who mentioned "paying" for flights. I do pay for flights quite often and in the past would pay for Virgin, no contest.

However, over the years the service on VS has gotten less and the service on Delta has gotten better. In all honesty first and club on BA is not worth the cost, although the Bollinger in the first class lounge at LHR is truly excellent.

If I am paying, I would prefer to pay for a ticket that a) faces forward b) has aisle access and c) has window access and that means Delta. One of the major pluses for BA was its own terminals at LHR and JFK, but with the advance in customs and immigration tools (and a knowledge of best time to travel) having your own terminals is not as persuading as it one was. Given the prices for are all roughly the same regardless of airline, service, food, access and airport are a factor... mind you, I am strongly considering Norwegian Air into LGW from JFK next time, although even those fares are quite high.

hi.all
i like bretty cant rebook either.
first vs rep said we could go via BA or ANA tomorrow so we said we would think about it.
in true VS style when we called back we were told we couldnt go with BA and wouldnt definitelt be able to go with ANA either but should call back tomorrow.
while i half understand the reasons i am a bit suspect given i have never been on an even half empty flight to NRT but have read a few TRs suggesting near empty UC on USA flights.
plus detroit? more busy a route than Tokyo? really?
i think this has more to do with delta.
well i hope i can rebook with either BA or ANA and then I will be signing off from VS. I have only 40k airmiles wasted.
thanks for nothing VS.

My first thoughts after I read the email was for you and bretty! I hope you get it sorted and don't lose out!
I'd be furious!

Thanks Darren, much appreciated.

I'm in agreement with comments about VS needing to focus on profitable routes etc, it makes good business sense. I also am wondering how much Delta has had a hand in this. I'm not a long time VS fan having only come to the brand last year. However, I pay attention to what's happening, I see that since DL bought their 49% that changes made seem to favour DL pax more than VS pax, there's no balance.

Right now I'm looking to salvage what I can and if possible get rebooked / reprotected with a partner airline in the cabin I booked, Business, with revenue and miles upgrade.
It seems some of us have been given different info in this regard, with Maximus and Richardswife28 having been told they can swap their UC bookings across, which are miles upgrades, and seats are held and now just need ticketing. I on the other hand, am told, not sure let's try and see what happens. Hopeful, but not quite the same. I don't know their FC status but it has crossed my mind that maybe this could be a factor, who knows.

I've done a bit of research, and came across some posts on another forum about what happened when they cancelled the HK - SYD flights earlier this year. Same conflicting information given to different pax, but then via said forum information was passed on and VS rebooked pax who had reward seats in UC into Business with a partner airline (CX). Same post also highlighted that in VS conditions of carriage they don't class a ticket obtained via a frequent flyer programme as a free of charge ticket, which I've checked and confirmed. If it's not classed as foc, then the ticket is paid for, in this case paid for with a combination of cash and FF miles and that may give me an argument to push for rebooking into a like for like cabin / class.

Sounds like all should be ok john , goes without saying but keep us posted with the outcome and everyone else for that matter ,

UPDATE

Ok folks, so on the back of other peoples posts I've been on the phone to FC instead of the reservations number given with the article on VS website. Initially I was told that as I have an M to G miles upgrade I could be rebooked in Y cabin with a partner airline and then pay the difference to upgrade to Business. I then told the agent that at least 3 FC members I'd been in contact with, with the same type of tickets had been offered a rebooking with a cabin match at no extra cost, and she simply exclaimed "WOW!" Said she'd check with a supervisor and came back about 2 minutes later and said, and I quote "I've been told that Virgin are covering the cost to rebook passengers into business class, which airline do you want to go with?"

Surprised and pleased I asked what my options were knowing it was either BA or ANA. I wouldn't have minded either but the BA CW seats don't all have direct aisle access and ANA does which would have been my preference. Anyway she said it looks like it'll be ANA rather than BA (although I know gfonk has gotten rebooked with BA). She took my number and said she'd check everything and would call me back.

I got off the phone a few minutes ago. We have been moved across to ANA flying into Haneda on the same dates. She told me it took a couple of attempts as the booking wouldn't confirm, but is now confirmed and will be re-ticketed in 24-48 hrs and I need do nothing more. Fingers crossed this happens, I'll update when I get an email.

I'm a happy bunny again and well done VS / FC I don't know what this is going to end up costing them but is this what is classed as reprotection?

Luckily, BA have just given me a gold card with them for the next 2 years, so we'll see if that's a better option for now...

A judicious time for BA to offer status match to VS GC holders?

Plenty of us would jump ship now that VS is no longer remotely trying to be global.

The other problem is, if VS are being steered towards SkyTeam-friendly networking (so, leave Asia alone, and just feed to DL), that will route customers onto the Chinese carriers for a lot of Asian routes: China Eastern, China Southern, etc etc.

...and they have some of the worst in-flight experiences known to Man. Appalling business class offerings, economy cabins which stink (literally) and a food "offer" which is lower than what I believe most prison food would deliver.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Good morning, We got caught up with the Sydney route cancellation and we ended up booking with China Eastern in Business as it was cheaper than BA in PE. We were somewhat concerned on what state we would be in when we arrived finally at SYD. I will be doing a trip report when I finish my nights and I will try to get some photo's on But we would like to report back that the seat on the 330-200 is way better than the 'dream seat' offering from VS, you don't have to get up to flip it over giving plenty of options on how you wish to recline. The food was on the whole pretty good, the breakfast omlette served was most excellent. Choice of menus, Chinese/Western and boy do they feed you. The crew were excellent, nothing (within reason ) was too much trouble. Very polite, a couple didn't fully understand if you spoke too quickly. Lounges, Skyteam T4 was very nice, Shanghai however was dreadful, most uncomfortable seats but is was calm and away from the noise of upstairs. Qantas at SYD started badly as virtually no seats in a large area but a couple of 380's went and it cleared out. Finally, on the flight back there was a 17 hour scheduled connection at Shanghai. We got an overnight in the Airport Ramada with breakfast which was way better than 17 hours in the terminal, that was included in the ticket. We will most certainly use these guys again when we next head out for hols to China.

As far as the main point of the post, we decided to burn our miles and head off to BA after the SYD incident as VS didn't handle the option to rebook at all well hence China Eastern. We have one more trip next month and that's it. A shame, I'll miss the clubhouse for sure and the decent crew but none of our flying is paid for by someone else so I need to be able to get the best return for my money. The BA AMEX is £3000 away from a companion ticket I can actually use as our dates will be flexible and my miles are totting up very nicely. I wish Virgin well and hope they survive this episode in their history.

[preiffer]

Good morning, We got caught up with the Sydney route cancellation and we ended up booking with China Eastern in Business as it was cheaper than BA in PE. We were somewhat concerned on what state we would be in when we arrived finally at SYD. I will be doing a trip report when I finish my nights and I will try to get some photo's on But we would like to report back that the seat on the 330-200 is way better than the 'dream seat' offering from VS, you don't have to get up to flip it over giving plenty of options on how you wish to recline. The food was on the whole pretty good, the breakfast omlette served was most excellent. Choice of menus, Chinese/Western and boy do they feed you. The crew were excellent, nothing (within reason ) was too much trouble. Very polite, a couple didn't fully understand if you spoke too quickly. Lounges, Skyteam T4 was very nice, Shanghai however was dreadful, most uncomfortable seats but is was calm and away from the noise of upstairs. Qantas at SYD started badly as virtually no seats in a large area but a couple of 380's went and it cleared out. Finally, on the flight back there was a 17 hour scheduled connection at Shanghai. We got an overnight in the Airport Ramada with breakfast which was way better than 17 hours in the terminal, that was included in the ticket. We will most certainly use these guys again when we next head out for hols to China.

Then I'd say, genuinely, you were lucky. I fly with them quite a bit (living in Shanghai) - they've never been good. That said, there may well be a notable difference between the services they provide to Western countries, compared to the pan-Asia offerings. My point about the network link is that this would leave VS relying on such airlines for the hops across Asia - something I would actively avoid doing on a Chinese airline...

Warning! Flights are NOT held, just been on phone for an hour, now have confirmed flights BUT couldn't get original dates so having to come back a day later. An extra day in Tokyo I suppose. Apparently I will now just receive etickets within 24 hours but have been told lots of different things so not confident until they come through!

By the way, I too was told that it's a refund or economy at first. That seems to be option 1 for VS.

It's interesting that this news item http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a63c00f0-334a ... z3CKEEAsw9 ( if it shows needing a subscription, just google virgin Atlantic network changes and click on its google link) states that the changes amount to an additional 500 flights next summer !

Yes, they may not be going to the places some want, but surely, if that figure is correct, that's a big plus out of the "reshuffle"

I just hope they continue to announce more flights from their regional bases

David

UPDATE

I got off the phone a few minutes ago. We have been moved across to ANA flying into Haneda on the same dates. She told me it took a couple of attempts as the booking wouldn't confirm, but is now confirmed and will be re-ticketed in 24-48 hrs and I need do nothing more. Fingers crossed this happens, I'll update when I get an email.

I'm a happy bunny again and well done VS / FC I don't know what this is going to end up costing them but is this what is classed as reprotection?

Great news. It does seem clear that various departments are singing from different hymn sheets. Virgin do not seem to have briefed their staff well, with all these mixed messages. But sounds like you are sorted Bretty, so well done for your persistence!

I was not offered BA but would choose ANA Business above BA Club. From what I have seen online it looks a good cabin service. I like the look of the staggered seating and the Japanese food looks great (some Youtube videos in you are interested show this is better dtail).

ANA fly from Heathrow Terminal 2 and use the United Club Lounge for Business passengers. This is out in Terminal 2B, a bit of a walk, but has the l-o-n-g-e-s-t bar at Heathrow allegedly. It will not match the CH of course, but looks decent enough from what I have seen.

http://www.headforpoints.com/2014/08/04 ... erminal-2/

http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/1 ... t2-lounges

It's interesting that this news item http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a63c00f0-334a ... z3CKEEAsw9 ( if it shows needing a subscription, just google virgin Atlantic network changes and click on its google link) states that the changes amount to an additional 500 flights next summer !

Yes, they may not be going to the places some want, but surely, if that figure is correct, that's a big plus out of the "reshuffle"

I just hope they continue to announce more flights from their regional bases

David

If that is the case we'll have to see where a) the Heathrow slots are coming from and b) where the planes are coming from ...

It's interesting that this news item http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a63c00f0-334a ... z3CKEEAsw9 ( if it shows needing a subscription, just google virgin Atlantic network changes and click on its google link) states that the changes amount to an additional 500 flights next summer !

Yes, they may not be going to the places some want, but surely, if that figure is correct, that's a big plus out of the "reshuffle"

I just hope they continue to announce more flights from their regional bases

David

If that is the case we'll have to see where a) the Heathrow slots are coming from and b) where the planes are coming from ...

Well MAN-ATL is new and would be about 350 flights ie 25 weeks x 14 flights. (As the DL current MAN-ATL changes to JFK)

And if you look at all the swaps it is an increase in summer flying overall. Plus they also have the extra flights from GLA and BFS that are likely in the "500" flights figure.

UPDATE

I got off the phone a few minutes ago. We have been moved across to ANA flying into Haneda on the same dates. She told me it took a couple of attempts as the booking wouldn't confirm, but is now confirmed and will be re-ticketed in 24-48 hrs and I need do nothing more. Fingers crossed this happens, I'll update when I get an email.

I'm a happy bunny again and well done VS / FC I don't know what this is going to end up costing them but is this what is classed as reprotection?

Great news. It does seem clear that various departments are singing from different hymn sheets. Virgin do not seem to have briefed their staff well, with all these mixed messages. But sounds like you are sorted Bretty, so well done for your persistence!

I was not offered BA but would choose ANA Business above BA Club. From what I have seen online it looks a good cabin service. I like the look of the staggered seating and the Japanese food looks great (some Youtube videos in you are interested show this is better dtail).

ANA fly from Heathrow Terminal 2 and use the United Club Lounge for Business passengers. This is out in Terminal 2B, a bit of a walk, but has the l-o-n-g-e-s-t bar at Heathrow allegedly. It will not match the CH of course, but looks decent enough from what I have seen.

http://www.headforpoints.com/2014/08/04 ... erminal-2/

http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/1 ... t2-lounges

Thanks Maximus, I just hope the e-tix comes through in the next day or so and that I don't have to spend more time sorting it out.

Thanks for the links I had read them last night as I started looking in more detail at the ANA offering and lounges. Fingers crossed for all of us having to rebook.

fingers crossed all
we did um and ah over BA or ANA.
if ANA arrived to HND in the morning it would have been our first choice so we went for BA only on the basis we could be in downtown tokyo by 11s rather than by 6pm.lol
also as i cant transfer my amex miles to ANA we decided to go with BA.
any recommendations for good seat for a couple in CW on a B777 would be much appreciated.

fingers crossed all
we did um and ah over BA or ANA.
if ANA arrived to HND in the morning it would have been our first choice so we went for BA only on the basis we could be in downtown tokyo by 11s rather than by 6pm.lol
also as i cant transfer my amex miles to ANA we decided to go with BA.
any recommendations for good seat for a couple in CW on a B777 would be much appreciated.

It does mean we miss a fair amount of our first day in Tokyo but we'll just mooch around Asakusa anyway for the most part before we venture out the next day.

Just waiting on the ticket now

lol nice.
yeah strange how the extra time makes a difference. last time we were lucky and beat the NEX to shinjuku :-)
yep just waiting for the new ticket. phew!

Anyone any idea which plane you think they will be using on MAN-ATL? Gives another option on MANCHESTER flights for us northern monkeys!

True gfonk, ANA arrive at 3pm ish, so 6 hours lost for us in Tokyo. But I have partly offset the time loss by the fact that HND is closer To Tokyo than NRT. Just 15 mins from central Tokyo I believe, which is good.

And I doubt I shall be fit for anything after a 12 hour flight and all that food and drink anyway

We will need to get our JR passes at the airport, head to the hotel and crash until the morning I suspect. I am too old for 24 hours without sleep now

It will be good to hear when we all get our e-ticket confirmations.

I had dreams last night ANA had pulled out of the UK and I was flying Ryanair to Japan. Now that is what I call a NIGHTMARE!

I'm based in Japan and have always flown Virgin. No more clubhouse for me.... It was nice while it lasted. So sad. I love Japan but when I fly I like a nice bit of Britishness. I eat Amd drink Japan everyday so the last thing I want on a flight is more rice. So, it's either BA for me or a long indirect flight. May go to Emirates or Qatar airlines. We shall see.

Though to VA credit I did receive this nice mail from FC straight after the announcement.

We have some news to share with you that we have recently announced our intention to cease our operation between Tokyo and London. This means that the proposed last flight between Tokyo and London will be on 1st February 2015.

We have been proud to serve our customers in Japan for the past 25 years, however these are highly competitive times for the airline industry and as part of our strategy to operate more efficiently; we need to deploy our aircraft to routes with the right level of demand to be financially viable.
We thank you for your business over the years, and you can still travel between Tokyo and London with our partner ANA, so you can continue to enjoy the benefits of our Flying Club programme.

As a valued Flying Club member, we wanted to let you know this news as soon as possible and appreciate that you may have some questions. So, if you're travelling with us between Tokyo and London after 1st February 2015 and booked via a travel agent, please contact them for more information. If you've booked directly with us, please feel free to get in touch with our Reservations Team on 03 3499 8811 who will be happy to help. You can also visit our website.

We will update you on what this might mean for your existing Flying Club account in due course, however in the meantime please continue to earn and spend miles as normal.

Best wishes

The Flying Club team