Virgin Atlantic "mulls" low cost offshoot?
Mar 2, 2016, 9:51 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,173
I wouldn't be against it if you could redeem FC miles on it and if they added any new destinations. I've just booked 2 flights on Norwegian short haul as they are about half the price of BA, even at the middle price option Norwegian have that includes a checked bag and seat reservation. Even with BA Silver status the cost saving makes Norwegian a much better option on this trip.
I'm afraid I find VS quite unattractive these days with their practically US-only focus.
I'm afraid I find VS quite unattractive these days with their practically US-only focus.
Mar 2, 2016, 10:00 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Oxford
Programs: Skyteam Elite+, VS Red, HHonours Diamond, Accor Plat
Posts: 629
I'm afraid I find VS quite unattractive these days with their practically US-only focus.
Even if I could redeem FC miles on the proposed budget carrier, I'm not sure I'd want to. The value in miles is in UC and it doesn't look like the offshoot will have much of that to offer.
Mar 2, 2016, 1:41 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,173
So either I take trips now in EC/PEC to places we don't really need/want to go to right now, convert to Hilton/IHG or wait until the kids are older for UC but the miles will probably have devalued.
Mar 2, 2016, 3:00 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 115
I appreciate that. But I have kids aged 4 and 6. The 4 year old, in particular, would not cope with UC seat layout and would punish the remainder of the cabin as a result.
So either I take trips now in EC/PEC to places we don't really need/want to go to right now, convert to Hilton/IHG or wait until the kids are older for UC but the miles will probably have devalued.
So either I take trips now in EC/PEC to places we don't really need/want to go to right now, convert to Hilton/IHG or wait until the kids are older for UC but the miles will probably have devalued.
Mar 2, 2016, 4:19 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Oxford
Programs: Skyteam Elite+, VS Red, HHonours Diamond, Accor Plat
Posts: 629
I appreciate that. But I have kids aged 4 and 6. The 4 year old, in particular, would not cope with UC seat layout and would punish the remainder of the cabin as a result.
So either I take trips now in EC/PEC to places we don't really need/want to go to right now, convert to Hilton/IHG or wait until the kids are older for UC but the miles will probably have devalued.
So either I take trips now in EC/PEC to places we don't really need/want to go to right now, convert to Hilton/IHG or wait until the kids are older for UC but the miles will probably have devalued.
I appreciate everyone's situation is different and as I said in another thread, if a miles redemption in Y lets your whole family visit the Mouse for the trip of a lifetime then that's real value.
Sadly, I agree that holding onto miles long-term is a lose-lose game. Earn and burn is the only sensible strategy.
Mar 3, 2016, 3:01 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,173
I'm generally a burner, but my FC collection was for flying to Japan in school holidays, so when they pulled the NRT route I was left with significant orphaned miles. I even ended up having to make a medium-value redemption on BA for my JP flight that I planned to do with VS miles. I could have used the BA miles far better with a bit of planning if I'd known VS were going to pull the route!
Mar 3, 2016, 5:26 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Australia
Programs: QF LTS, Marriott LTP, ALL GOLD
Posts: 2,440
Presumably it would be a similar config to the prior 2 class A330's which were quite successful from what I heard from MAN/GLA.
I guess with the (not so) new management that is now in place is less about the prestige of having UPPER in each aircraft on leisure routes.
I wonder if second hand 330's is the 747 replacement at LGW then? And I wonder if they will go the charter route of charging for booze on LGW/MAN/GLA/BFS routes.
As for crew costs I presume they will get lower paid flight crew for these new flights as they seem to have cut the cabin crew compliments and ranks (as of April)
I guess with the (not so) new management that is now in place is less about the prestige of having UPPER in each aircraft on leisure routes.
I wonder if second hand 330's is the 747 replacement at LGW then? And I wonder if they will go the charter route of charging for booze on LGW/MAN/GLA/BFS routes.
As for crew costs I presume they will get lower paid flight crew for these new flights as they seem to have cut the cabin crew compliments and ranks (as of April)