Reader poll: will the new Qantas and Virgin Australia Asian alliances change your travel loyalties?
By David Flynn, June 8 2011
It's been a busy few days in Australia's increasingly-competitive and ever-changing airline industry, with Qantas and Virgin Australia both announcing new alliances with Asian partners.
On Monday, Qantas came out as a sponsor for Malaysia Airlines to join oneworld – making it much easier for Qantas passengers to take a QF or MH flight to Kuala Lumpur and travel onwards on Malaysia's network with a single ticket, earning Qantas frequent flyer points and enjoying access to MAS Golden Lounges.
A day later, Virgin Australia trumped the Red Roo by revealing a partnership with Singapore Airlines.
Virgin Australia chief John Borghetti described the hook-up as competing his "major airline alliance strategy" in creating a 'virtual network' with footprints in Asia, the Middle East, New Zealand and soon the USA (through an alliance with Delta) – with the same benefits for single-ticket travel, access to partner lounges and earning and burning Velocity points when flying on a partner airline.
So we're wondering how these two announcements will shape or potentially reshape your travel plans. Are you more likely to fly Qantas due to the impending alliance with Malasyia Airlines via oneworld? Or is Virgin Australia's deal with Singapore Airlines steering you towards Borghetti's challenger for future business travel?
(Granted, it could take until the end of next year for the QF-MAS alliance to be fully operational compared to the late 2011 timeframe for Virgin Australia's Singapore tie-up.)
Click your choice on you poll below and let us know what you're thinking!
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
15 Apr 2011
Total posts 580
problem is that DJ/SQ offers nothing new over QF (or QF/MH)... JB is creating a formidible global network, for sure, but it's nothing that I can't get with QF... I don't know what incentives there are that are supposed to be convincing me to switch??
Virgin Blue - Velocity Rewards
12 May 2011
Total posts 66
300+ more routes, lounge access and the singapore service? You dont understand the alliance enough, wait till its all done.
Qantas
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 177
A lot of people prefer Singapore Airlines planes and service over Qantas... and now you have a domestic airline you can accrue your points into when you fly with Singapore. Essentially, the reason why Qantas is so strong in Australia is because it has a Frequent Flyer program that accumulates points for both domestic and international trips. Now Virgin has that too.
15 Apr 2011
Total posts 580
My point is that this alliance isn't opening up a whole region for me or anything... I have my travel invested in QF and Oneworld, and there needs to be something really different to convince me to ditch my loyalty and move...
Sure, SQ is great, and I love flying with them (especially in Y), but I'm questioning what VA are doing to win over the business market apart from essentially acting as a travel agent... Frequent Flyer is a big thing, sure, but Oneworld already cover those 300+ routes and offer all the perks...
Will still be interesting, and there can only be positive outcomes. But what is actually new here for business travellers? It's not making my travel easier or reforming it...
08 Jun 2011
Total posts 1
Until Virgin can get seat comfort equal to QF I'll keep flying QF in preference domestically and with late booking QF is (in my expreience) mostly cheaper, so that still pushes me QF internationally.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Frequent Flyer
28 May 2011
Total posts 81
Last time I went Qantas the seats were no more comfortable then Virgin...
30 May 2011
Total posts 37
big mistake for MH to partner with QF! QF has no aim to be hospitable to their onboard guests! MH have award winning cabin crew which are graceful and courteous, Qantas cabin crew are known to bark choices of meals and walk like elephants down the aisles. Yes, they might be good at safety, but I don't think MH flight attendants would fail a safety test or emergency evacuation.
05 May 2011
Total posts 17
Agreed with Jack. The Singapore service surpasses the QF service by a country mile. I think the frequent flyer program has a strong hold over QF regulars. That must be the only thing. How anybody can put up with old planes with issues and poor service puzzles me.
10 Jun 2011
Total posts 56
Is it really likely MH will join oneworld? I thought they were close to becoming a Skyteam member, especially now that CI and CZ have joined and GA will next year. They are already closely aligned with KL,AF and GA
QF is obviously the market dominator in the Australian business travel market and drives incredible loyalty, however, there is no doubt that SQ product and service consistency is a long way ahead of QF and to be fair most airlines with the exception of airlines like CX QR and OZ
The Virgin Group know exactly where they are going in their global strategy - the key was to get the various brands into their various markets USA, Australia, NZ and the Pacific and create strong local market branding (what Virgin have always done so well) and then link it all together with Virgin Atlantic.
The Virgin Blue that exists today will be completely overhauled to win over the Australian business travel market - and become a true competitor to QF and to form a very strong niche global alliance
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
rcooper: yes, MH will be joining oneworld, Qantas is even 'sponsoring' their membership application.
10 Jun 2011
Total posts 56
interesting one - thanks for confirming that
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