VX adding SFO-MSY, KOA, RDU, BNA and others
Mar 16, 2017, 3:00 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
I'm guessing that this is down to utilizing these planes on the longer-haul routes as well. Remember, AS already serves the above cities from SEA but not SFO, so adding VX service to these markets isn't a shocker in the context of the merger.
With that said, I don't recall how this lines up with any VX equipment deliveries.
I'm willing to entertain the idea that AS might keep the brand if it makes a strong showing in some of these markets. It seems very unlikely, but I'll entertain it for now.
With that said, I don't recall how this lines up with any VX equipment deliveries.
I'm willing to entertain the idea that AS might keep the brand if it makes a strong showing in some of these markets. It seems very unlikely, but I'll entertain it for now.
Mar 16, 2017, 4:09 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,847
I would rate the likelihood of that at zero at this point. There may be some chance to keep some of the features of the inflight experience but no chance at all that the VX name/brand will be retained.
Mar 16, 2017, 7:32 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Preferably waiting for takeoff
Programs: AA EXP, MVPG, DL Silver, United Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 458
I'm guessing that this is down to utilizing these planes on the longer-haul routes as well. Remember, AS already serves the above cities from SEA but not SFO, so adding VX service to these markets isn't a shocker in the context of the merger.
With that said, I don't recall how this lines up with any VX equipment deliveries.
I'm willing to entertain the idea that AS might keep the brand if it makes a strong showing in some of these markets. It seems very unlikely, but I'll entertain it for now.
With that said, I don't recall how this lines up with any VX equipment deliveries.
I'm willing to entertain the idea that AS might keep the brand if it makes a strong showing in some of these markets. It seems very unlikely, but I'll entertain it for now.
Alaska as been looking at the VX product very close for the last year and must be saying to themselves, there really is something valuable about the way VX does things. They also have to be looking at themselves and saying what can we change going forward.
Of all the things they could copy or infuse into Alaska I can't see them keeping the name Virgin long term. 1, Too much market confusion with 49% Delta owned VS. 2, Why pay the brand fee to Richard if they don't have to. They could keep it for 2, maybe 3 years for special hubs and routes as they acclimate those loyalists to the new airline.
Mar 16, 2017, 11:45 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: B6/Mosaic/AF/VX/AS Gold Hertz PC HH Dia. AMEX Plat SPG/Marr Gold Nat. EE FPC Plat
Posts: 833
It will really be interesting to see what Brad Tilden and company deicide to keep of the VX identity going forward. There is so much of the soft product that is unique with VX - on board environment, design style from online to marketing, use of innovation for the inflight experience.
Alaska as been looking at the VX product very close for the last year and must be saying to themselves, there really is something valuable about the way VX does things. They also have to be looking at themselves and saying what can we change going forward.
Of all the things they could copy or infuse into Alaska I can't see them keeping the name Virgin long term. 1, Too much market confusion with 49% Delta owned VS. 2, Why pay the brand fee to Richard if they don't have to. They could keep it for 2, maybe 3 years for special hubs and routes as they acclimate those loyalists to the new airline.
Alaska as been looking at the VX product very close for the last year and must be saying to themselves, there really is something valuable about the way VX does things. They also have to be looking at themselves and saying what can we change going forward.
Of all the things they could copy or infuse into Alaska I can't see them keeping the name Virgin long term. 1, Too much market confusion with 49% Delta owned VS. 2, Why pay the brand fee to Richard if they don't have to. They could keep it for 2, maybe 3 years for special hubs and routes as they acclimate those loyalists to the new airline.
I agree with everything above. Ditching the VX brand too quickly would be suicidal to me. If I were back in the SF as before, it would not be hard to switch to DL or wincing, AA. UA is a no go. Full stop.
But, and this is the big but: AS will have to seriously step up its inflight experience to keep the VX loyalists. In the AS forum, they seem to think VX is just about pretty lighting, but indeed, VX has done a lot of innovative things making things better for the average traveler, as well as elites.
Now that the majors are making good profits, they are finally investing in the hard product. I've not been on a really awful mainline plane on DL or AA in more than a year. AS even with their newest -900 models have terrible seats and they are noisier than any VX plane.
Just saying...
Mar 17, 2017, 9:27 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: West Michigan
Programs: DL, UA, AA, B6, BA (airline status-free leisure traveler), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,963
Mar 18, 2017, 12:44 am
#23
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
It will really be interesting to see what Brad Tilden and company deicide to keep of the VX identity going forward. There is so much of the soft product that is unique with VX - on board environment, design style from online to marketing, use of innovation for the inflight experience.
Alaska as been looking at the VX product very close for the last year and must be saying to themselves, there really is something valuable about the way VX does things. They also have to be looking at themselves and saying what can we change going forward.
Of all the things they could copy or infuse into Alaska I can't see them keeping the name Virgin long term. 1, Too much market confusion with 49% Delta owned VS. 2, Why pay the brand fee to Richard if they don't have to. They could keep it for 2, maybe 3 years for special hubs and routes as they acclimate those loyalists to the new airline.
Alaska as been looking at the VX product very close for the last year and must be saying to themselves, there really is something valuable about the way VX does things. They also have to be looking at themselves and saying what can we change going forward.
Of all the things they could copy or infuse into Alaska I can't see them keeping the name Virgin long term. 1, Too much market confusion with 49% Delta owned VS. 2, Why pay the brand fee to Richard if they don't have to. They could keep it for 2, maybe 3 years for special hubs and routes as they acclimate those loyalists to the new airline.
Mar 20, 2017, 3:01 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,386
AS owns JetAmerica. In theory they could rebrand both airlines as JetAmerica...
Mar 20, 2017, 7:17 pm
#25
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
AS owns JetAmerica. In theory they could rebrand both airlines as JetAmerica...
Mar 22, 2017, 12:49 am
#26
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Programs: DL-Platinum / AS-PlatPro / Hyatt - Glob / Hilton-Diamond
Posts: 1,573
Mar 22, 2017, 8:34 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SFO
Posts: 335
It will really be interesting to see what Brad Tilden and company deicide to keep of the VX identity going forward. There is so much of the soft product that is unique with VX - on board environment, design style from online to marketing, use of innovation for the inflight experience.
Alaska as been looking at the VX product very close for the last year and must be saying to themselves, there really is something valuable about the way VX does things. They also have to be looking at themselves and saying what can we change going forward.
Alaska as been looking at the VX product very close for the last year and must be saying to themselves, there really is something valuable about the way VX does things. They also have to be looking at themselves and saying what can we change going forward.
The details of the brand identity and what direction AS will go will be revealed tomorrow, Mar 23.
Mar 22, 2017, 1:45 pm
#28
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Preferably waiting for takeoff
Programs: AA EXP, MVPG, DL Silver, United Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 458
Mar 22, 2017, 4:14 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Preferably waiting for takeoff
Programs: AA EXP, MVPG, DL Silver, United Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 458
Funny thing is Richard Branson is coming, or is in, town promoting the new Virgin Atlantic flight. I'm sure timing is coincidental, but it could make for some conjecture.