AUSTIN | ABIA Updates - Page 396

ahealy · #**7901** Posted **Jan 9, 2022, 2:58 PM**

So exciting about Virgin! I just got back from Italy (flew BA AUS>>LHR>>FCO) and would love to see a direct to Italy. I noticed quite a few Austinites joining us for the entire journey.

Gotta say, BA always has their shit together and the service is fabulous. That Dreamliner is so so lovely. RIP 747

SproutingTowers · #**7902** Posted **Jan 9, 2022, 4:46 PM**

5G buffer zone added to AUS.

https://www.kvue.com/article/travel/...ce41coPVqqogKk

masonh2479 · #**7903** Posted **Jan 9, 2022, 6:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahealy

So exciting about Virgin! I just got back from Italy (flew BA AUS>>LHR>>FCO) and would love to see a direct to Italy. I noticed quite a few Austinites joining us for the entire journey.

Gotta say, BA always has their shit together and the service is fabulous. That Dreamliner is so so lovely. RIP 747

Next time you fly on BA out of Austin will likely be on the A350-1000, that aircraft should be extremely nice, especially if you are on the new business class.

GoldenBoot · #**7904** Posted **Jan 9, 2022, 8:53 PM**

BA's A350-1000 is their new, flagship product. There are, if I'm correct, only 8 currently in service (with about 8-10 on order). It says a ton with regard to how they feel about Austin.

masonh2479 · #**7905** Posted **Jan 9, 2022, 9:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

BA's A350-1000 is their new, flagship product. There are, if I'm correct, only 8 currently in service (with about 8-10 on order). It says a ton with regard to how they feel about Austin.

It sure does, I’m glad to see it coming!

freerover · #**7906** Posted **Jan 10, 2022, 5:29 PM**

Anyone know why a Qatar Airlines plane is at AUS?

agsatx88 · #**7907** Posted **Jan 10, 2022, 5:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freerover

Anyone know why a Qatar Airlines plane is at AUS?

Looks like Qatar Airways 713 diverted to AUS Saturday afternoon. Probably due to weather around IAH? I remember seeing thunderstorm and tornado warnings for Houston that day.

masonh2479 · #**7908** Posted **Jan 10, 2022, 6:21 PM**

It is officially official that the official Virgin Atlantic flights to Austin are officially happening this year, lol. Austin haters on a.net in denial.
https://www.austintexas.gov/news/aus...irgin-atlantic

GoldenBoot · #**7909** Posted **Jan 10, 2022, 7:28 PM**

Routes to Europe out of AUS:

SkyTeam = 2* (KLM & Virgin Atlantic)
oneworld = 1 (BA)
Star Alliance = 1 (Lufthansa)

*=Virgin Atlantic is not currently a member of SkyTeam. However, it is 49% owned by Delta. VS has JV agreements with Delta, KLM (and Air France). They have codeshare agreements with AeroMexico and WestJet (amongst a few others). They also have an interline partnership with Hawaiian Airlines (amongst a few others). I wouldn't be shocked to see Delta announce a few new domestic routes this year. Something may be in motion here...

masonh2479 · #**7910** Posted **Jan 10, 2022, 7:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Routes to Europe out of AUS:

SkyTeam = 2* (KLM & Virgin Atlantic)
oneworld = 1 (BA)
Star Alliance = 1 (Lufthansa)

*=Virgin Atlantic is not currently a member of SkyTeam. However, it is 49% owned by Delta.

Well…Oneworld and Star Alliance could always get even by adding a flight to Asia…

GoldenBoot · #**7911** Posted **Jan 10, 2022, 7:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by masonh2479

Well…Oneworld and Star Alliance could always get even by adding a flight to Asia…

Yes. Some of the candidates would be:

SkyTeam = Korean Air (rumors were already flying some years back)
oneworld = JAL (again, some rumors were flying around a few years ago)
Star Alliance = ANA, Asiana, EVA (all, I believe, are long shots. VS actually has a loose award partnership with ANA)

StoOgE · #**7912** Posted **Jan 10, 2022, 8:41 PM**

Covid restrictions are going to slow down TPAC for a bit longer I would think.

That said, with Samsung going *hard* on the region I think its a matter of when not if that we get a direct flight.

LiveattheOasis · #**7913** Posted **Jan 10, 2022, 9:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Routes to Europe out of AUS:

SkyTeam = 2* (KLM & Virgin Atlantic)
oneworld = 1 (BA)
Star Alliance = 1 (Lufthansa)

*=Virgin Atlantic is not currently a member of SkyTeam. However, it is 49% owned by Delta. VS has JV agreements with Delta, KLM (and Air France). They have codeshare agreements with AeroMexico and WestJet (amongst a few others). They also have an interline partnership with Hawaiian Airlines (amongst a few others). I wouldn't be shocked to see Delta announce a few new domestic routes this year. Something may be in motion here...

I'm waiting for Delta to take us to Paris ... will be interesting to see what goes next in Europe. I'd put Dublin and Paris on watch over the next year.

ILUVSAT · #**7914** Posted **Jan 10, 2022, 9:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiveattheOasis

I'm waiting for Delta to take us to Paris ... will be interesting to see what goes next in Europe. I'd put Dublin and Paris on watch over the next year.

I can see Air France picking up that route instead of Delta (SkyTeam). I'd almost rather that be the case.

I don't see Dublin anytime soon.

Speaking of Paris, wasn't Norwegian about to initiate a AUS-CDG route prior to COVID?

ILUVSAT · #**7915** Posted **Jan 10, 2022, 9:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoOgE

Covid restrictions are going to slow down TPAC for a bit longer I would think.

That said, with Samsung going *hard* on the region I think its a matter of when not if that we get a direct flight.

I agree. Completely.

masonh2479 · #**7916** Posted **Jan 10, 2022, 10:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

I can see Air France picking up that route instead of Delta (SkyTeam). I'd almost rather that be the case.

I don't see Dublin anytime soon.

Speaking of Paris, wasn't Norwegian about to initiate a AUS-CDG route prior to COVID?

Agree with preferring Air France. Paris was on it’s way. https://www.kxan.com/news/abia-tease...l-air-service/