True, however it makes commercial sense. Richard Branson can see by the success of Qantas on the route that there is room for at least 2 players.
They have 17 of the 787-9 aircraft suitable for the route.
Provides a great RTW connection with Virgin Aust and Virgin Atlantic.
And provides an entry in the Australian market.
They would almost be mad not to.
I'm not going to argue this will or won't happen. I could see it either way and competition is a good thing. But I will say one needs to consider the ownership structure of Virgin Atlantic and what those owners are likely to want, as far as I know, that's Delta 49%, Air France group 31% and then Virgin Group 20%.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson, however, poured cold water on Branson's ambitions - but not definitively.
"We don't have any plans to launch flights to Perth," the spokesperson said. . "Richard was probably speaking in an aspirational sense.
RB does what RB does best. Says something the media will pickup and run with to gain free publicity. I wouldn't believe anything until the route was actually launched.
Joshb
Joshb
Qantas - QFF Platinum
Member since 20 Mar 2012
Total posts 123
"According to Richard Branson" aka loves a headline.
Mjudd
Mjudd
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 14 Dec 2016
Total posts 57
hutch
hutch
Member since 07 Oct 2012
Total posts 771
I'm not going to argue this will or won't happen. I could see it either way and competition is a good thing. But I will say one needs to consider the ownership structure of Virgin Atlantic and what those owners are likely to want, as far as I know, that's Delta 49%, Air France group 31% and then Virgin Group 20%.
Grannular
Grannular
Member since 31 Mar 2014
Total posts 273
This is on Fairfax:
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson, however, poured cold water on Branson's ambitions - but not definitively.
"We don't have any plans to launch flights to Perth," the spokesperson said. . "Richard was probably speaking in an aspirational sense.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
This is already being discussed in another topic, so please continue discussion there: https://www.ausbt.com.au/community/view/18/7881/non-stop-aus-to-uk-and-europe
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