Virgin Australia Velocity - New Darwin Routes, a Darwin Lounge and SQ Frequent Flyer recognition

Posted on Tuesday 13th by Virgin Australia (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/virgin-australia.html) http://b.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Virgin Australia (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/virgin-australia.html) http://b.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/images/BP-White/buttons/viewpost-right.png (http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/virgin-australia-velocity/new-darwin-routes-darwin-lounge-35078.html#post529352)
Great news!

We have today announced with our alliance partner Singapore Airlines, the first two milestones of our recently approved alliance: new international and domestic routes to Darwin and the launch of frequent flyer programme co-operation.

As part of a joint plan to increase services to northern Australia, Singapore Airlines’ regional full service airline, SilkAir will begin a four-times-weekly service between Singapore and Darwin from 26 March 2012, and Virgin Australia will complement these services with a daily service between Sydney and Darwin from 2 April 2012.

We have also confirmed that from 20 December this year, we will commence reciprocal frequent flyer recognition, enabling KrisFlyer members to earn and redeem frequent flyer points on Virgin Australia’s network and Velocity members will be able to earn and redeem frequent flyer points on Singapore Airlines operated flights. Reciprocal lounge access is also available for eligible customers.

Singapore Airlines Executive Vice President Commercial and SilkAir Chairman, Mr Mak Swee Wah, said: “We are delighted to be adding Darwin to our network and providing more travel options for our customers as a result of our alliance with Virgin Australia. Our partnership enables us to better service this important market, particularly with the introduction of a strong business class product and extensive international connections.

“The launch of reciprocal frequent flyer programme ties will also be particularly exciting news for our loyal customers. Our partnership with Virgin Australia will be delivering tangible benefits to customers, with more choice for domestic and international travel combined with seamless service.”

Virgin Australia Group Executive of Alliances, Network & Yield Management, Ms Merren McArthur said: “The alliance with Singapore Airlines enables us to open up important new routes in Australia and Asia and we have moved quickly to identify and realise this opportunity with our new partner”.

“Darwin is the gateway to the Northern Territory’s popular tourist destinations and is an increasingly important commercial hub. Together with Singapore Airlines we will be able to offer visitors from Singapore, Asia and Europe the opportunity to visit the Northern Territory and then travel onto Sydney and the East Coast of Australia. Our services will also be attractive to business travelers who now have the option of a quality business class service from Sydney to Darwin and on to Singapore and beyond.”

“From next week, Virgin Australia customers will be able to enjoy the first benefits of the alliance, with the ability to earn and burn frequent flyer points and status credits on Singapore Airlines’ network of destinations and access over 14 lounges around the world. We look forward to bringing our customers further exciting benefits as the alliance develops,”, Ms McArthur said.

We can also announce that we will open a lounge at Darwin Airport for our eligible Virgin Australia guests as well as those of its alliance partners.

We expect to commence codesharing on each other's services from early 2012.

As I mentioned in another thread...so excited about all these changes happening. I can see Virgin only going from strength to strength

The Qantas Darwin routes are very popular, so should definitely take away some of the business from them

The new route is timed primarily for connections to and from Asia - passengers for Europe have a 15 hour connection time in both directions. In contrast, Jetstar has timed its daily DRW-SIN around the Qantas flight banks to/from UK/Europe. The timing of the flight reflects the fact that it is utilising a SilkAir aircraft that would otherwise sit idle overnight.

I´ve prepared a full analysis of the new service here:
http://davidkeating.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/disappointing-implementation-of-silkairvas-new-darwin-to-singapore-service/

I think VA should axe SYD/(MEL?) - AUH. It is essentially pointless, and regarded as not making much money.

Just jump on the SIN train, and have aus-sin from DRW included, and actually launch destinations using V-Aus own metal

I think VA should axe SYD/(MEL?) - AUH. It is essentially pointless, and regarded as not making much money.

Just jump on the SIN train, and have aus-sin from DRW included, and actually launch destinations using V-Aus own metal

If the do axe SYD-AUH, i guarantee that Darwin will be about the last port in Australia that will send the 777 to!

I think VA should axe SYD/(MEL?) - AUH. It is essentially pointless, and regarded as not making much money.

I would disagree fairly vehemently with you on it being pointless ;) I have used flights 29/30 a number of times, and while the loads were initially fairly low - they always seem fairly well stacked now. Whether that translates to a profitable service, I don't know .. but it's a nice easy way to get to a bunch of destinations in Europe without having to muck about at LHR.

I can see Virgin only going from strength to strength


+1^

I would disagree fairly vehemently with you on it being pointless ;) I have used flights 29/30 a number of times, and while the loads were initially fairly low - they always seem fairly well stacked now. Whether that translates to a profitable service, I don't know .. but it's a nice easy way to get to a bunch of destinations in Europe without having to muck about at LHR.

I'm flying 29/30 in a couple of weeks and 29 looks very light. However, 30 looks to be just more than half full, if I can rely on the seat maps. I'll try to remember to post the loads after the flights.

It's a shame the VA AUH flights do not go through to London. For Australia-Europe via AUH on VA/EY codeshare to compete effectively with carriers flying right through, EY needs to launch PE on the major European connecting routes like AUH-LHR, and the abysmal 'temporary' lounge access arrangements at AUH need to be sorted out.