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?

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.

The codeshare is both ways as well. VS customers may wish to book on CO flights because of schedule, availability, connection, etc.

I just hope they add VS availability to the on line system. VS air product is so much better.

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.

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.

The reward seats are available online using the CO flight number, assuming there are seats available. It isn't the native VS flight number, but the flights are there.

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.

But I don't think this really shows the real availability. For example, I just tried searching at CO.com for a BOS-LON flight for March 9th (random date). Only coach on the VS flight shows. On VS.com, 2 UC seats are available. From most folks experience, those two VS seats are most likely available to Onepass.

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.

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.

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.

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.

you should never have to pay the fee if the itin cannot be 100% booked online. it may show up on your 5 days hold screen, but once it tickets it should not be charged.