jambo.ie
May 22, 12, 4:16 am
For a while now when visiting the Virgin Australia website from Europe, I get a message saying "Fares from Europe Coming Soon". Anyone any idea if this is likely to happen in the short to medium term?
Virgin Australia Velocity - Virgin Australia bookings from Europe
View Full Version : Virgin Australia bookings from Europe
wyvern
May 22, 12, 8:20 am
This would be a good thing...
flyGreg
May 23, 12, 5:17 pm
For a while now when visiting the Virgin Australia website from Europe, I get a message saying "Fares from Europe Coming Soon". Anyone any idea if this is likely to happen in the short to medium term?
You can probably book on Etihad ex-Europe and get in effect the same benefits
You can probably book on Etihad ex-Europe and get in effect the same benefits
jambo.ie
May 30, 12, 7:42 am
I just wanted to highlight that there are currently facilities to book from LHR and MAN (possibly others too), but that the fares seem uncompetitive.
wyvern
Jun 2, 12, 8:39 am
The ex-LHR and ex-MAN fares are a fairly new thing and the fares offered are not great. For a while VA could/would not sell ex-Europe fares to Australia due to not competing with VS.
The same SYD-LHR booking in Etihad used earn more miles on discount Y fares than booking the same flights through VA, as Etihad discount Y fares mostly credited 100% miles.
However both these situations have now changed.
For best value VA miles-earning discount Y fares on the Kangaroo route, I would recommend booking SQ, which offers 100% points per mile on a lot of Y fares and better onboard and ground service than EY - and Changi is a nicer airport to change at than AUH. And you get an at seat power supply all the way through in Y, unlike on VA.
Looking for fares ex-Australia rather than ex-Europe I earlier in the year I found EY to be cheaper than most airlines though.
The same SYD-LHR booking in Etihad used earn more miles on discount Y fares than booking the same flights through VA, as Etihad discount Y fares mostly credited 100% miles.
However both these situations have now changed.
For best value VA miles-earning discount Y fares on the Kangaroo route, I would recommend booking SQ, which offers 100% points per mile on a lot of Y fares and better onboard and ground service than EY - and Changi is a nicer airport to change at than AUH. And you get an at seat power supply all the way through in Y, unlike on VA.
Looking for fares ex-Australia rather than ex-Europe I earlier in the year I found EY to be cheaper than most airlines though.
jambo.ie
Jun 2, 12, 9:16 am
I flew to Aus from Ireland in April and Etihad seemed to be very competitive, probably due to the recent entry of Emirates to the market. I'm looking now for October and Emirates is a lot less expensive than Etihad which is one of the more expensive options. Malaysian via LHR with EI/BMI is actually cheapest at the moment. I would love to go with Singapore and regain my Velocity Gold but they are a bit more expensive.