Apr 23, 2024, 1:36 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
VA is now listed on Earning Premier qualifying credit on partner airlines
United to partner with Virgin Australia -- UA elite benefits starting 23 May 2022
Dec 19, 2021, 9:39 pm
#46
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 40
AKL would be a very good transit point for ex-BNE passengers (using UA's other partnership with NZ) considering it's very unlikely that UA will fly on the BNE-USA (SFO or LAX) route for the foreseeable future (unless if the Queensland Government gets involved by approaching UA with a 'subsidy' offer)
Assuming UA doesn't set up in BNE with their metal and are content with sending pax via SYD/MEL (or even AKL with the existing NZ partnership), this would enable UA to throw the medium/low yielding passengers to/from BNE & Queensland via AKL (on NZ), whilst the FFs (MP & VFF) where most of the FF pax are willing to be sent via SYD or MEL.
Assuming UA doesn't set up in BNE with their metal and are content with sending pax via SYD/MEL (or even AKL with the existing NZ partnership), this would enable UA to throw the medium/low yielding passengers to/from BNE & Queensland via AKL (on NZ), whilst the FFs (MP & VFF) where most of the FF pax are willing to be sent via SYD or MEL.
Dec 19, 2021, 9:48 pm
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
The distance LAX-AKL-BNE & LAX-SYD-BNE is very close
A map from Great Circle Mapper - Great Circle Mapper
But cannot see that happening
A map from Great Circle Mapper - Great Circle Mapper
But cannot see that happening
Dec 21, 2021, 8:18 am
#48
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2021
Programs: UA1k
Posts: 60
Apart from DL being the biggest loser, the other loser would have to be BNE/Queensland, leaving BNE-USA as a QF monopoly.
No immediate plans by UA to fly to BNE for the short term, and will rely on VA codeshares for the foreseeable future.
Only chance of UA entering BNE in the short term is if the Queensland State Premier offers taxpayer money UA's way to start BNE to LAX or SFO under the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, which would effectively make the UA flight from BNE a (Queensland) taxpayer funded lease/charter.
No immediate plans by UA to fly to BNE for the short term, and will rely on VA codeshares for the foreseeable future.
Only chance of UA entering BNE in the short term is if the Queensland State Premier offers taxpayer money UA's way to start BNE to LAX or SFO under the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, which would effectively make the UA flight from BNE a (Queensland) taxpayer funded lease/charter.
Mar 8, 2022, 12:42 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,971
AKL would be a very good transit point for ex-BNE passengers (using UA's other partnership with NZ) considering it's very unlikely that UA will fly on the BNE-USA (SFO or LAX) route for the foreseeable future (unless if the Queensland Government gets involved by approaching UA with a 'subsidy' offer)
Assuming UA doesn't set up in BNE with their metal and are content with sending pax via SYD/MEL (or even AKL with the existing NZ partnership), this would enable UA to throw the medium/low yielding passengers to/from BNE & Queensland via AKL (on NZ), whilst the FFs (MP & VFF) where most of the FF pax are willing to be sent via SYD or MEL.
Assuming UA doesn't set up in BNE with their metal and are content with sending pax via SYD/MEL (or even AKL with the existing NZ partnership), this would enable UA to throw the medium/low yielding passengers to/from BNE & Queensland via AKL (on NZ), whilst the FFs (MP & VFF) where most of the FF pax are willing to be sent via SYD or MEL.
Has there been any announcement on the UA side? The one from the VA side is here.
I suppose this would be a good use of the Excursionist Perk. Prior to this, did SQ or NZ have any domestic traffic rights in AU?
Mar 8, 2022, 1:56 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
The minor inconvenience of connecting in AKL leaving AU for most non-AU/NZ passport holders is you still need a visa. Even thought it is pretty convenient and cheap, it is still something to do.
Has there been any announcement on the UA side? The one from the VA side is here.
I suppose this would be a good use of the Excursionist Perk. Prior to this, did SQ or NZ have any domestic traffic rights in AU?
Has there been any announcement on the UA side? The one from the VA side is here.
I suppose this would be a good use of the Excursionist Perk. Prior to this, did SQ or NZ have any domestic traffic rights in AU?
Pre CV19 several non AU-NZ airlines flew AU<--->NZ as tag on flight from AU. But most have pulled out after a few years trying. LATAM is reported to reinstating AKL-SYD tag on from SCL. SQ used to fly WLG-CBR, later changed to WLG-MEL. SQ flights were expensive compared to the others. IMHO unlikely to come back post CV19.
SQ, UA etc do not/will not have domestic traffic rights in AU.
Virgin AU & Qantas did and now Jetstar(owned by Qantas) does fly domestic routes in NZ.
AU domestic airline Ansett (Star Alliance) was 100% owned by Air NZ. But went bankrupt (RIP Ansett). Air NZ could fly AU domestic routes if it wanted to, could get airport slots and get union agreements. That's all not going to happen.
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Mar 8, 2022 at 2:05 am
Mar 8, 2022, 6:24 am
#51
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,162
Virgin Australia (or more specifically, their FF program Velocity) sent out an email a few days ago stating that "From Monday 13 June 2022, Delta Air Lines will no longer be a Velocity partner and the following offers will cease" which might give a hint as to the date the UA partnership takes effect.
I'm flying UA connecting to VA in a few days. I'm not expecting my status to get me any benefits, but I'll certainly be trying...
Technically you don't need a "visa" if you're from a "visa waiver country" which includes the US, but yes, you still need a NZeTA which has a minor fee associated with it (US$6-8 depending on how you apply).
I'm flying UA connecting to VA in a few days. I'm not expecting my status to get me any benefits, but I'll certainly be trying...
The minor inconvenience of connecting in AKL leaving AU for most non-AU/NZ passport holders is you still need a visa.
Mar 23, 2022, 2:37 pm
#53
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Adelaide
Programs: VA Platinum, QR Platinum, QF Gold, ITA Executive, HH Diamond, Accor Plus Diamond
Posts: 71
Mar 23, 2022, 5:39 pm
#55
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,162
I can't see that changing. UA used to codeshare with VA, and even at that time they interlined with QF on the same routes. There's also multiple routes that VA don't fly but QF do (and/or the QF flights would allow same-day connections to the UA flights, where the VA ones don't).
And not surprisingly, it didn't. A few of the VA staff knew it was coming, but had no ideas as to when it started or what it would involve.
And not surprisingly, it didn't. A few of the VA staff knew it was coming, but had no ideas as to when it started or what it would involve.
Apr 2, 2022, 8:16 pm
#57
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,162
I’m a bit concerned myself. We’re on UA61 MEL-SFO (EWR) on 04Aug22, part of an award trip. I’m curious of what routing we would be placed on if that gets cancelled.
We have a refundable MEL-SYD OW booked on QF to get us out of Sydney the next day if we need to, but I’d like to see what routing they give us if they take the flight off of the schedule.
We have a refundable MEL-SYD OW booked on QF to get us out of Sydney the next day if we need to, but I’d like to see what routing they give us if they take the flight off of the schedule.
Apr 3, 2022, 4:52 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
My SFO-MEL flight on May 19 is cancelled. Got a full refund and booked SFO-SYD and connect onto Virgin Australia’s SYD-MEL flight.
I assume I will earn UA miles and access Virgin lounge at SYD (4-hour transit). If not, my SQ PPS will come in handy.
I assume I will earn UA miles and access Virgin lounge at SYD (4-hour transit). If not, my SQ PPS will come in handy.
Apr 3, 2022, 8:52 am
#59
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,162
The start date for the UA/VA partnership has not yet been announced, however Virgin has announced that their Delta partnership will end June 13th, so presumably it won't be before then. ie, no UA miles or lounge access based on UA status. SQ PPS should get you lounge access, but still no miles.
Apr 3, 2022, 9:18 am
#60
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
The start date for the UA/VA partnership has not yet been announced, however Virgin has announced that their Delta partnership will end June 13th, so presumably it won't be before then. ie, no UA miles or lounge access based on UA status. SQ PPS should get you lounge access, but still no miles.
https://www.aviacionline.com/2022/03...ing-agreement/