Future of CO/VS Code Share?
Nov 18, 2007 | 3:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold (1.8M), CO Silver (2011)
Posts: 127
Future of CO/VS Code Share?
With Continental starting service to LHR, including a morning flight (as discussed in a separate thread), is there any news about the future of the CO / VS code share arrangements? What would the point of CO code sharing on VS EWR-LHR when they are also flying themselves? And is there room for 3 morning flights to LRH? (BA, VS, and CO?)
Any speculation?
Any speculation?
Nov 18, 2007 | 3:42 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,887
AA codeshares on JFK-NRT with Japan Airlines, a route that both serve with their own metal. Further, the fact that CO will be operating EWR-LHR does not inherently preclude the codeshare arrangement, since it is much broader than just EWR-LHR.
Nov 18, 2007 | 4:01 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
The codeshare is both ways as well. VS customers may wish to book on CO flights because of schedule, availability, connection, etc.
Nov 18, 2007 | 5:19 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: United 1K, Delta Platinum, LY Maybe:)
Posts: 162
I just hope they add VS availability to the on line system. VS air product is so much better.
Nov 18, 2007 | 7:39 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 21
They do, kinda. I was booking SFO-LHR last week, and first tried co.com, which showed some Virgin availability. However booking through Virgin showed more flights and a fare $200 cheaper.
Nov 18, 2007 | 9:08 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,240
I suspect oresh means reward bookings, not revenue bookings. I agree - this would be very useful, as I will always try to book VS instead of CO for trips to LON and it always involves a call.
Nov 18, 2007 | 10:17 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
And to the OP, I hope that the codeshare remains. I don't think that it is a slam dunk either way, so I won't be all that surprised with whatever CO ends up doing on this one.
Nov 19, 2007 | 9:06 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 9,779
The moral of the story is that, if you want VS UC, 9 times out of 10, you will have to get on the phone with CO to get the seats.
Nov 19, 2007 | 9:18 am
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
It is showing the availability on the CO flight number, which likely varies from the VS flight number inventory. If you want the VS flight number you have to call. The website is a good starting point, but you are correct that a call will generally be necessary for getting the seats.
Nov 19, 2007 | 10:27 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: CO Plat, HH Gold, Avis First
Posts: 100
It appears that there is a bug with VS UC availability - you must have a domestic connection in order for UC availability to show up online. If you searched CLE-BOS-LON, there could very well be UC availability on the VS flight.
Nov 19, 2007 | 2:32 pm
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 9,779
Fair enough, but I think we can all agree that CO.com is not the best place to look. Myself, I look at VS.com, NWA.com (Japan site), Delta.com, CO.com, and EK.com depending on the route. OnePass availability is so poor for J tickets, that I always find myself having to massage the routings to get something, and can live with having to pay the $10 fee to book over the phone.