Just watched VA CEO Jayne Hrdlicka answering questions about the future of the airline on the ABCs “The Business”.
When quizzed on what being a mid-market carrier meant, she said guests would see VA “stop doing things that they didn’t ever really understand”.
Pushed on this she made specific reference to the lounge network, saying: “like with some of our lounges, we had too much space and too many lounges”.
I wonder how other VA frequent flyers feel about her observation. Especially those who often visited the Sydney lounge - horrendously overcrowded at peak times. It occurred to me that LACK of space was the problem there.
Insofar as on-board service was concerned she was vague in her answers. Only saying guests wouldn’t notice much difference. Presumably that means the business class snack boxes are on the way out, but can we assume the new catering will resemble the VA of old? I’m not sure I’d hold my breath for that.
Finally, Ms. Hrdlicka said frequent flyers had confidence in the airline. No doubt she would say that, but as a VA platinum FF for 7 years I’ve already lost confidence and made the switch - albeit grudgingly.
Agreed, also VA platinum, feel forgotten & have lost trust in them. No communication, lack of transparency. It feels more Jetstar on board, but worse..... Go home Jayne, we ain't the USA here.....
As a VA FF, I don't really disagree with Hrydicka's comments...
I think it's reasonable to expect onboard offering to stay much the same. It was fairly efficient as it was. Maybe a slight downscale to business catering and a few tweaks to economy service?
Mackay and Alice Springs and to a lesser extent Cairns and Darwin lounges were definitely under utilised. Canberra was too big for its boots and The Club has limited use now. However, I think it's of value to operate a space in key secondary ports - Hobart, Cairns, Darwin. A more nimble approach - host a smaller space a la QF regional lounges?
Surely a mid-market approach would mean a cost effective, market-attractive proposition: Adequately sized lounges and offerings in the 10 key ports, reintroduce paid baggage fees (waived for FFs), snack basket for EconomyX only (with usual drinks service for the whole cabin), decent but not Mangan-style lavish business class catering, efficient/substantial flight schedules where they can fill seats, fewer but more meaningful FF tie-ups (such as Delta, Etihad partnership and less like Hawaiian's).
Not all that much really needs to change to operate an attractive, financially feasible network now that the bloated leases and contracts are taken care of.
What should have happened already though is some communication with their fliers about what to generally expect. I certainly don't appreciate the vague uncertainty.
Agree that the lounges are not oversized, with the exception of Canberra. The BNE, SYD, MEL, ADL lounges all too small. Although hopefully the new Adelaide lounge opens soon (unless it has already).
Would likely be overcrowded in the East Coast Capitals (maybe others such as ADL), but woud likely been underutilised in the regional cities, where VA would likely struggled for high yielding passengers in the limited regional market.
VA lounges were always a bit hit and miss, they had a huge under-utilised Lounge in Cairns which is mainly a leisure market yet nothing in Townsville where the corporates, Govt and defence are located.
If VA is a publicly own company on the ASX, JH’s comments will crash the stock price, since they are patently untrue for many major capital cities lounges. There will be no confidence in her leadership given these outrageous misinformation.
Alas it’s almost fully owned by Bain and there is no way informed consumers can voice their dissatisfaction except to move their business out of VA.
And ironically there are quite a few readers who are still willing to give them another chance come next month.
So much the better. I don’t need QF lounge to be additionally crowded by pax who crossed over from VA
Just watched VA CEO Jayne Hrdlicka answering questions about the future of the airline on the ABCs “The Business”.
When quizzed on what being a mid-market carrier meant, she said guests would see VA “stop doing things that they didn’t ever really understand”.
Pushed on this she made specific reference to the lounge network, saying: “like with some of our lounges, we had too much space and too many lounges”.
I wonder how other VA frequent flyers feel about her observation. Especially those who often visited the Sydney lounge - horrendously overcrowded at peak times. It occurred to me that LACK of space was the problem there.
Insofar as on-board service was concerned she was vague in her answers. Only saying guests wouldn’t notice much difference. Presumably that means the business class snack boxes are on the way out, but can we assume the new catering will resemble the VA of old? I’m not sure I’d hold my breath for that.
Finally, Ms. Hrdlicka said frequent flyers had confidence in the airline. No doubt she would say that, but as a VA platinum FF for 7 years I’ve already lost confidence and made the switch - albeit grudgingly.
She was not talking about the triangle lounges as we all know. It was more in reference to the Alice springs, Mackay etc there is no need for a lounge in ASP is what she meant.
I have flown since née management snd I s as m happy. As a platinum there is a bit less but it’s not bad. Yes we have lost some entitlements of the tier but the basics are there still. Most importantly the happy staff at virgin will any day trump Qantas robots. Once international returns it will be worth looking what are my options now to Europe, us etc
Just watched VA CEO Jayne Hrdlicka answering questions about the future of the airline on the ABCs “The Business”.
When quizzed on what being a mid-market carrier meant, she said guests would see VA “stop doing things that they didn’t ever really understand”.
Pushed on this she made specific reference to the lounge network, saying: “like with some of our lounges, we had too much space and too many lounges”.
I wonder how other VA frequent flyers feel about her observation. Especially those who often visited the Sydney lounge - horrendously overcrowded at peak times. It occurred to me that LACK of space was the problem there.
Insofar as on-board service was concerned she was vague in her answers. Only saying guests wouldn’t notice much difference. Presumably that means the business class snack boxes are on the way out, but can we assume the new catering will resemble the VA of old? I’m not sure I’d hold my breath for that.
Finally, Ms. Hrdlicka said frequent flyers had confidence in the airline. No doubt she would say that, but as a VA platinum FF for 7 years I’ve already lost confidence and made the switch - albeit grudgingly.
She was not talking about the triangle lounges as we all know. It was more in reference to the Alice springs, Mackay etc there is no need for a lounge in ASP is what she meant.
I have flown since née management snd I s as m happy. As a platinum there is a bit less but it’s not bad. Yes we have lost some entitlements of the tier but the basics are there still. Most importantly the happy staff at virgin will any day trump Qantas robots. Once international returns it will be worth looking what are my options now to Europe, us etc
Just watched VA CEO Jayne Hrdlicka answering questions about the future of the airline on the ABCs “The Business”.
When quizzed on what being a mid-market carrier meant, she said guests would see VA “stop doing things that they didn’t ever really understand”.
Pushed on this she made specific reference to the lounge network, saying: “like with some of our lounges, we had too much space and too many lounges”.
I wonder how other VA frequent flyers feel about her observation. Especially those who often visited the Sydney lounge - horrendously overcrowded at peak times. It occurred to me that LACK of space was the problem there.
Insofar as on-board service was concerned she was vague in her answers. Only saying guests wouldn’t notice much difference. Presumably that means the business class snack boxes are on the way out, but can we assume the new catering will resemble the VA of old? I’m not sure I’d hold my breath for that.
Finally, Ms. Hrdlicka said frequent flyers had confidence in the airline. No doubt she would say that, but as a VA platinum FF for 7 years I’ve already lost confidence and made the switch - albeit grudgingly.
She was not talking about the triangle lounges as we all know. It was more in reference to the Alice springs, Mackay etc there is no need for a lounge in ASP is what she meant.
I have flown since née management snd I s as m happy. As a platinum there is a bit less but it’s not bad. Yes we have lost some entitlements of the tier but the basics are there still. Most importantly the happy staff at virgin will any day trump Qantas robots. Once international returns it will be worth looking what are my options now to Europe, us etc I will hold judgement for now
Agree that the lounges are not oversized, with the exception of Canberra. The BNE, SYD, MEL, ADL lounges all too small. Although hopefully the new Adelaide lounge opens soon (unless it has already).
A great start would be choosing a CEO with the presence of mind not to suggest that she's cool with trading dead people for improved cashflow. One has to seriously start questioning whether she's the right person for the job...
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Hrdlicka: Too many lounges, too much space.
vbarberini
vbarberini
Member since 16 Oct 2012
Total posts 41
Just watched VA CEO Jayne Hrdlicka answering questions about the future of the airline on the ABCs “The Business”.
When quizzed on what being a mid-market carrier meant, she said guests would see VA “stop doing things that they didn’t ever really understand”.
Pushed on this she made specific reference to the lounge network, saying: “like with some of our lounges, we had too much space and too many lounges”.
I wonder how other VA frequent flyers feel about her observation. Especially those who often visited the Sydney lounge - horrendously overcrowded at peak times. It occurred to me that LACK of space was the problem there.
Insofar as on-board service was concerned she was vague in her answers. Only saying guests wouldn’t notice much difference. Presumably that means the business class snack boxes are on the way out, but can we assume the new catering will resemble the VA of old? I’m not sure I’d hold my breath for that.
Finally, Ms. Hrdlicka said frequent flyers had confidence in the airline. No doubt she would say that, but as a VA platinum FF for 7 years I’ve already lost confidence and made the switch - albeit grudgingly.
Tracie
Tracie
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 30 Oct 2015
Total posts 106
Agreed, also VA platinum, feel forgotten & have lost trust in them. No communication, lack of transparency. It feels more Jetstar on board, but worse..... Go home Jayne, we ain't the USA here.....
dm12
dm12
Member since 08 Feb 2018
Total posts 211
give 'em a chance. Fair few challenges in restarting an airline during a pandemic I would think.
I would think reserving judgement until after the pandemic settles down and we're a bit closer to a normal world is worthwhile.
FrequentFlyer
FrequentFlyer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 20 Mar 2012
Total posts 198
As a VA FF, I don't really disagree with Hrydicka's comments...
I think it's reasonable to expect onboard offering to stay much the same. It was fairly efficient as it was. Maybe a slight downscale to business catering and a few tweaks to economy service?
Mackay and Alice Springs and to a lesser extent Cairns and Darwin lounges were definitely under utilised. Canberra was too big for its boots and The Club has limited use now. However, I think it's of value to operate a space in key secondary ports - Hobart, Cairns, Darwin. A more nimble approach - host a smaller space a la QF regional lounges?
Surely a mid-market approach would mean a cost effective, market-attractive proposition: Adequately sized lounges and offerings in the 10 key ports, reintroduce paid baggage fees (waived for FFs), snack basket for EconomyX only (with usual drinks service for the whole cabin), decent but not Mangan-style lavish business class catering, efficient/substantial flight schedules where they can fill seats, fewer but more meaningful FF tie-ups (such as Delta, Etihad partnership and less like Hawaiian's).
Not all that much really needs to change to operate an attractive, financially feasible network now that the bloated leases and contracts are taken care of.
What should have happened already though is some communication with their fliers about what to generally expect. I certainly don't appreciate the vague uncertainty.
hakkinen5
hakkinen5
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 20 Aug 2014
Total posts 206
Agree that the lounges are not oversized, with the exception of Canberra. The BNE, SYD, MEL, ADL lounges all too small. Although hopefully the new Adelaide lounge opens soon (unless it has already).
DanV
DanV
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 Nov 2017
Total posts 100
Would likely be overcrowded in the East Coast Capitals (maybe others such as ADL), but woud likely been underutilised in the regional cities, where VA would likely struggled for high yielding passengers in the limited regional market.
GBRGB
GBRGB
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Jan 2014
Total posts 295
VA lounges were always a bit hit and miss, they had a huge under-utilised Lounge in Cairns which is mainly a leisure market yet nothing in Townsville where the corporates, Govt and defence are located.
FrequentFlyer
FrequentFlyer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 20 Mar 2012
Total posts 198
Originally Posted by gjspectre
One knows a large amount of Platinum's that fly Qantas on the basis of Virgin having no spirits in their lounges. Believe you me its a thing!
Lmc
Lmc
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 Nov 2018
Total posts 50
Take away more lounges and the soft product... meals, drinks etc in economy and what is left for Virgins frequent flyers?
Can you still redeem virgin points for Etihad and SQ?
XWu
XWu
Member since 09 May 2020
Total posts 197
If VA is a publicly own company on the ASX, JH’s comments will crash the stock price, since they are patently untrue for many major capital cities lounges. There will be no confidence in her leadership given these outrageous misinformation.
Alas it’s almost fully owned by Bain and there is no way informed consumers can voice their dissatisfaction except to move their business out of VA.
And ironically there are quite a few readers who are still willing to give them another chance come next month.
So much the better. I don’t need QF lounge to be additionally crowded by pax who crossed over from VA
Hsaini
Hsaini
Member since 28 Aug 2019
Total posts 4
Originally Posted by vbarberini
Just watched VA CEO Jayne Hrdlicka answering questions about the future of the airline on the ABCs “The Business”.
When quizzed on what being a mid-market carrier meant, she said guests would see VA “stop doing things that they didn’t ever really understand”.
Pushed on this she made specific reference to the lounge network, saying: “like with some of our lounges, we had too much space and too many lounges”.
I wonder how other VA frequent flyers feel about her observation. Especially those who often visited the Sydney lounge - horrendously overcrowded at peak times. It occurred to me that LACK of space was the problem there.
Insofar as on-board service was concerned she was vague in her answers. Only saying guests wouldn’t notice much difference. Presumably that means the business class snack boxes are on the way out, but can we assume the new catering will resemble the VA of old? I’m not sure I’d hold my breath for that.
Finally, Ms. Hrdlicka said frequent flyers had confidence in the airline. No doubt she would say that, but as a VA platinum FF for 7 years I’ve already lost confidence and made the switch - albeit grudgingly.
I have flown since née management snd I s as m happy. As a platinum there is a bit less but it’s not bad. Yes we have lost some entitlements of the tier but the basics are there still. Most importantly the happy staff at virgin will any day trump Qantas robots.
Once international returns it will be worth looking what are my options now to Europe, us etc
Hsaini
Hsaini
Member since 28 Aug 2019
Total posts 4
Originally Posted by vbarberini
Just watched VA CEO Jayne Hrdlicka answering questions about the future of the airline on the ABCs “The Business”.
When quizzed on what being a mid-market carrier meant, she said guests would see VA “stop doing things that they didn’t ever really understand”.
Pushed on this she made specific reference to the lounge network, saying: “like with some of our lounges, we had too much space and too many lounges”.
I wonder how other VA frequent flyers feel about her observation. Especially those who often visited the Sydney lounge - horrendously overcrowded at peak times. It occurred to me that LACK of space was the problem there.
Insofar as on-board service was concerned she was vague in her answers. Only saying guests wouldn’t notice much difference. Presumably that means the business class snack boxes are on the way out, but can we assume the new catering will resemble the VA of old? I’m not sure I’d hold my breath for that.
Finally, Ms. Hrdlicka said frequent flyers had confidence in the airline. No doubt she would say that, but as a VA platinum FF for 7 years I’ve already lost confidence and made the switch - albeit grudgingly.
I have flown since née management snd I s as m happy. As a platinum there is a bit less but it’s not bad. Yes we have lost some entitlements of the tier but the basics are there still. Most importantly the happy staff at virgin will any day trump Qantas robots.
Once international returns it will be worth looking what are my options now to Europe, us etc
Hsaini
Hsaini
Member since 28 Aug 2019
Total posts 4
Originally Posted by vbarberini
Just watched VA CEO Jayne Hrdlicka answering questions about the future of the airline on the ABCs “The Business”.
When quizzed on what being a mid-market carrier meant, she said guests would see VA “stop doing things that they didn’t ever really understand”.
Pushed on this she made specific reference to the lounge network, saying: “like with some of our lounges, we had too much space and too many lounges”.
I wonder how other VA frequent flyers feel about her observation. Especially those who often visited the Sydney lounge - horrendously overcrowded at peak times. It occurred to me that LACK of space was the problem there.
Insofar as on-board service was concerned she was vague in her answers. Only saying guests wouldn’t notice much difference. Presumably that means the business class snack boxes are on the way out, but can we assume the new catering will resemble the VA of old? I’m not sure I’d hold my breath for that.
Finally, Ms. Hrdlicka said frequent flyers had confidence in the airline. No doubt she would say that, but as a VA platinum FF for 7 years I’ve already lost confidence and made the switch - albeit grudgingly.
I have flown since née management snd I s as m happy. As a platinum there is a bit less but it’s not bad. Yes we have lost some entitlements of the tier but the basics are there still. Most importantly the happy staff at virgin will any day trump Qantas robots.
Once international returns it will be worth looking what are my options now to Europe, us etc I will hold judgement for now
Hsaini
Hsaini
Member since 28 Aug 2019
Total posts 4
Originally Posted by hakkinen5
Agree that the lounges are not oversized, with the exception of Canberra. The BNE, SYD, MEL, ADL lounges all too small. Although hopefully the new Adelaide lounge opens soon (unless it has already).
xtfer
xtfer
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 14 Mar 2017
Total posts 159
A great start would be choosing a CEO with the presence of mind not to suggest that she's cool with trading dead people for improved cashflow. One has to seriously start questioning whether she's the right person for the job...