Virgin Australia Announces New CEO

Excellent Article, I would love to see Virgin Australia make some changes, growth and whatever else it need to bring the brand back especially to compete more with Qantas

Thank you James for this excellent VA coverage! I think this is spot on--like many, I imagine, I shifted my Australian flying to VA once they went full service under John Borghetti. As a kid, the first lounge I ever accessed was the Blue Room Adelaide, just before it became the Virgin Australia Lounge. I've been a WP for some years, but the past few have been rough--JB had vision, but he also de-prioritized international network, didn't stick up for Velocity elites on partner airlines, and put the airline in a bit of a rut operationally. New leadership is just what the airline needs, and my fingers are crossed that Paul can make the changes that need to be made.

How’d you get millions and millions of virgin points?

Despite whatever going on, Richard Branson continues to prosper in economic uncertainty.

@ K - an awful lot of flying, credit card spend and sign up bonuses, shopping portals and amex referrals

James - the potential developments that you suggest Virgin could take up under the new CEO Paul Scurrah are good suggestions.

I have also done well out of redeeming points for Virgin Business Class to the USA, quite a few times - although these days, availability is soooo crap, you would be hard pressed to find a way to use your points on Virgin Australia metal.

I attended the press conference via phone, and unfortunately, he really had nothing to announce, not even a general view about the future direction of the airline. At least John Borghetti had a joke about what he would do post-Virgin. Very disappointing. I will monitor Paul's reign as CEO with much interest, 'cos he will need to pull a few rabbits out of hats. https://www.2paxfly.com/2019/02/06/john-borghetti-leaves-the-plane-paul-scurrah-announced-as-new-ceo-and-md-of-virgin-australia-group/

Annecdotedly, I’ll begin training to be a flight attendant at Virgin in March as well. Mr Scurrah and myself are both starting at the same time!

VA have significantly bigger problems than confusing lounge access options. There are underlying structural issues they need to address, including how to operate profitably.

As for the 737 Max - it’s just a new version of the 737. It will fly around their current network. It’s not the Concorde or an A380...

I want them to install seat back entertainment on their 737's and hopefully they do on their new 737 MAX as Qantas does which to me is a huge advantage especially on Perth - East Coast routes and is just downright lazy and cheap and something that sometimes sways me from VA to QF their own international branded lounges wouldn't be bad either

James, how do you rate Velocity as a program versus KrisFlyer nowadays? I have a 100k Amex bonus to transfer before the devaluation in April.

@Josh - KrisFlyer is far superior. Many more options including flights in Suites class (if that’s important) as well as on VA. I don’t believe Velocity members can book Suites. On top of that you have a ton of *A options with KrisFlyer that you don’t with Velocity.

I'd rather the new CEO fixes up the inefficiencies within the offices of VA, boosting morale within staff, then followed by sorting out the international networks. The Domestic division of VA is making a profit, however the TigerAir LCC and Short Haul International network are still making losses. Long Haul International is barely breaking even (Long Haul Int'l had a profit downturn due to starting HKG).

Getting the International Lounge situation in Australia sorted by partnering with No1 Lounges to take over the old EY spaces is a good start, however an Alliance (still very likely to be SkyTeam - the wounds from the NZ bust-up and subsequent agreement with QF is still too fresh) would be likely down the bottom of the new CEO's priorities.

Let’s be honest. You got lucky earning millions and millions of points because of an error. Your Amex referral link got shared in a newsletter to AFF readers. Nothing to do with you, just dumb luck. So stop showing off about it.