First NZ/QF flight
Jan 27, 2019, 7:12 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 1
Poorer Position
I frequently travel between BNE and SYD and used Virgin flights booked direct, with my Air NZ Elite status I could use the lounge and quite often was allocated a seat in row 3. As I understand I won't be able to do this with Qantas. I fly into BNE from AKL every second week and often travel onto SYD however I can't book this via Air NZ as the days of my internal travel are not confirmed until after I have booked the AKL - BNE leg. Qantas membership for me perhaps...
Last edited by JBDS; Jan 27, 2019 at 7:13 pm Reason: spelling error
Jan 28, 2019, 2:22 am
#17
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 909
I frequently travel between BNE and SYD and used Virgin flights booked direct, with my Air NZ Elite status I could use the lounge and quite often was allocated a seat in row 3. As I understand I won't be able to do this with Qantas. I fly into BNE from AKL every second week and often travel onto SYD however I can't book this via Air NZ as the days of my internal travel are not confirmed until after I have booked the AKL - BNE leg. Qantas membership for me perhaps...
Sure they felt that VA was "hogging" their lounges etc but that could have been sorted with restrictions like limited guesting instead of completely scrapping the deal. As a side note as a VA Platinum and NZ Gold, I won't retain either this year as travel has moved to EK (SYD-CHC) or to Qantas.
Perhaps it's time for you to start flying trans Tasman Qantas or Virgin as the benefits you'll gain are valid across both the Tasman and domestic AU.
Jan 28, 2019, 2:59 am
#18
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ*E
Posts: 186
As has been discussed before, the reality that Virgin wanted to be an international airline competing with NZ on the US routes, was probably a much more significant issue and it was never going to improve after Luxon failed in his quest to roll the CEO.
Jan 28, 2019, 5:29 am
#19
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 909
I doubt that the lounge "hogging" even played the remotest part in the decision for AirNZ to separate with Virgin, in fact, I'm sure that was probably one of the positives of the relationship given every VA Gold/Plat let in was more money. Given AirNZ is still happily selling access in Auckland to other airlines, they're obviously not that concerned about crowding.
It seems the CEO's of both companies didn't see eye to eye and at the end of the day is the customers of both VA and NZ that lose out.