United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Virgin Blue upgrades to chase the corporate dollar
Virgin Blue yesterday unveiled its’ latest attempt to woo the corporate and Government traveller with a $2 million-plus upgrade to its lounges. Formerly The Blue Room, we now have “The Lounge”…
The upgrade is the latest of several moves by the low-cost carrier to attract well-heeled customers. Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey yesterday said more initiatives were on the way.
The upgrade targets the popular Qantas Club and comes after last year’s costly introduction of its Velocity frequent flyer program, also aimed at corporates.
It will be accompanied by a strong sales push aimed at convincing government departments and more corporate clients that Virgin is an affordable, high-quality alternative to Qantas.
The all-inclusive facilities – which opened yesterday in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane – offer complimentary drinks, food and “enhanced” business facilities including free wireless internet.
Passengers will be able to pay a $349 annual fee, with a $199 joining fee, or buy a single visit pass for $30. The Qantas Club charges AU$685 for a first year member, including joining fee, but features lounges in 18 cities across the country.
Mr Godfrey said the airline was also looking at opening a lounge in Adelaide and “a couple of other ports”.
Virgin Blue hoped to break even on the project within three years. “Whether it will take three years, I hope not,” he said. “The original lounges were expected to take 2.5 years to break even and they broke even pretty much in the first year.
“We feel this is an appropriate upgrade for the market we’re trying to attain.
“It demonstrates further the New World carrier strategy we’ve put into place, and I think it will be a winner with our corporate guests.”
Related News Stories:
Graham Muldoon
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Tricia Handley-Hughes of Inteletravel announces the location for the TravelQuest 2025 conference
Insights from James Ferrara on Inteletravel’s Growth and Future
Tricia Handley-Hughes on Inteletravel’s Growth and Challenges
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
BA pilot dies during layover
Boy falls to death on cruise ship