Any ideas why virgin is putting all it’s Bail (SY, ML, BN) flights via Darwin for what looks like refuelling? QF goes direct with its 737, so range should not be a issue. Would make this a very long, inconvenient why to get their.
Think it was answered somewhere that it's due to the diversion airports between Darwin and Bali mostly being unavailable and the Virgin flight wouldn't have enough fuel to make it back to Darwin if it had to divert (and the Virgin flights are going out mostly full - as opposed to the Qantas flights which aren't apparently).
Think it was answered somewhere that it's due to the diversion airports between Darwin and Bali mostly being unavailable and the Virgin flight wouldn't have enough fuel to make it back to Darwin if it had to divert (and the Virgin flights are going out mostly full - as opposed to the Qantas flights which aren't apparently).
Thank you @jaseeee. Your point about QF flights not being full outbound for Bali compared to VA is interesting. No idea why that is. But I'm thinking maybe it's to do with QF's traditionally higher fares? Would be nice to know the actual reason, if someone in-the-know could elaborate...
Qantas and Virgin have made different business decisions when confronted by the same problem (namely, not having diversion airports available).
Qantas chose to not sell every seat on its flights so they'd have enough fuel to return to Darwin. Virgin chose to sell every seat and to refuel in Darwin.
Qantas flights are generally more expensive so yes, in both cases, you get what you pay for!
(There was an article about this about a week ago on Australian Frequent Flyer, if you're interested).
Flyman
Flyman
QFP
Member since 22 Jan 2013
Total posts 89
Hi all,
Any ideas why virgin is putting all it’s Bail (SY, ML, BN) flights via Darwin for what looks like refuelling? QF goes direct with its 737, so range should not be a issue. Would make this a very long, inconvenient why to get their.
jaseeee
jaseeee
Member since 01 Nov 2017
Total posts 13
Think it was answered somewhere that it's due to the diversion airports between Darwin and Bali mostly being unavailable and the Virgin flight wouldn't have enough fuel to make it back to Darwin if it had to divert (and the Virgin flights are going out mostly full - as opposed to the Qantas flights which aren't apparently).
sunnybrae
sunnybrae
Etihad - Etihad Guest
Member since 21 Jul 2019
Total posts 81
Originally Posted by jaseeee
Think it was answered somewhere that it's due to the diversion airports between Darwin and Bali mostly being unavailable and the Virgin flight wouldn't have enough fuel to make it back to Darwin if it had to divert (and the Virgin flights are going out mostly full - as opposed to the Qantas flights which aren't apparently).
Sibelius
Sibelius
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 06 Aug 2017
Total posts 181
Qantas and Virgin have made different business decisions when confronted by the same problem (namely, not having diversion airports available).
Qantas chose to not sell every seat on its flights so they'd have enough fuel to return to Darwin. Virgin chose to sell every seat and to refuel in Darwin.
Qantas flights are generally more expensive so yes, in both cases, you get what you pay for!
(There was an article about this about a week ago on Australian Frequent Flyer, if you're interested).