Virgin Australia
Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
Today is a landmark day for Virgin Australia.
Our airline has today launched Business Class on most domestic routes across the country that are operated by Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft, and on the airline’s fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft, giving Australian travellers choice in Business Class for the first time in over a decade. Read more »
Monday, January 16th, 2012
Let’s start the year with good news!
Not only have we begun the year with the inaugural commercial flight between Brisbane and Emerald, but we have announced that from today, tickets are on-sale for a double daily return service between Melbourne and Perth, operated by our Airbus A330.
From May 14th 2012, the Airbus A330 will operate two daily return services including a daily peak-return morning service from Melbourne to Sydney. Read more »
Friday, December 23rd, 2011
Australia’s leading website for frequent flyers and business travellers, Australian Business Traveller this week launched its inaugural awards and we are delighted to announce that Virgin Australia took out two titles – Best Frequent Flyer Programme and Best Trans-Continental Service.
The panel of judges, which consisted of business travellers, frequent flyers and the AusBT editorial team, picked our A330 trans-continental service as the best of any airline, which is a great compliment considering this is the longest direct route inAustralia! AusBT said the decision came down to the ‘consistency of planes and cabins, great meals and in-flight service’, as well as the limousine transfers available to our Guests in Business Class. Read more »
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011
At Virgin Australia, we are always keen to support projects that foster the environment, Australian innovation and regional economies. That’s why we were drawn to Licella; an Australian-based biofuel company that has developed a unique, new process that converts waste into sustainable, aviation fuel. Read more »
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011
We have today announced the opening of our first-ever Lounge at Mackay Airport as well as including extra weekday flights between the central Queensland city and Brisbane.
On sale today for travel from 5 March 2012, the new service will see us operating a total of 78 flights per week between Mackay and Brisbane, which is the greatest frequency offered by any airline on this route (we also operate a daily direct, return Sydney-Mackay service on our Embraer aircraft). Read more »
Thursday, December 15th, 2011
You may have noticed that in 2011, as our new planes have joined the fleet, they have been missing an IFE system, ie the TVs in the back of the seats.
We have today announced that we will be collaborating with industry leader, Lufthansa Systems, to develop a state of-the-art inflight entertainment system using Wi-Fi technology delivered to personal, hand-held devices on our aircraft. Read more »
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
Today we have officially launched our international airlines V Australia and Pacific Blue under our new brand, Virgin Australia.
The establishment of one brand and identity for Virgin Australia’s domestic and international operations means that from today, travellers will experience:
• New Virgin Australia signage at key international ports
• New-look travel documents
• One Guest Contact Centre number for both the domestic and international operations
• One consolidated Virgin Australia website for both the domestic and international operations.
We have also today unveiled a new brand and livery for our joint venture with the Government of Samoa, Polynesian Blue. The Prime Minister of Samoa, the Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, announced that the country’s national airline will now operate as Virgin Samoa (information of the launch can be found here).
Virgin Australia group of airlines CEO John Borghetti said that having both the domestic and international airlines operating under the Virgin brand was one of the company’s most significant achievements this year.
“The Virgin Australia name enables us to tap into the huge power of the Virgin brand around the world – a brand that signifies style, innovation, quality, value for money and the best service. “The new identity has been designed with a clean and contemporary look and feel that encapsulates our company’s repositioning as the airline of choice for all market segments. “Now that our international airlines are all operating under the Virgin brand, our focus is on redesigning the product in the air to ensure a first-rate travel experience across all of our airlines. We look forward to revealing the new designs in the first half of 2012”, Mr Borghetti said.
Should you be travelling through the transition period, Virgin Australia will be implementing directional signage and putting on extra Ground Crew to assist you. There will not be any changes to guest travel bookings as a result of the launch of these new brands.
Which part of the re-branding of our airline has impressed you the most?
Monday, December 5th, 2011
Our newest Boeing 737-800 BSI aircraft named “Salmon Beach”, is our ninth BSI (Boeing Sky Interior) aircraft to join the Virgin Australia fleet.
With a registration of VH-YVD, she has recently gone into service with her first commercial flight being from Brisbane to Hobart.
Salmon Beach is named after the small beach, located is in the southwest corner of Western Australia, in the D’entrecasteau National Park.
If you’d like to see what the inside of a Boeing BSI aircraft looks like, visit our Flickr page here for a peek inside the cabin!
Have you flown on one of these new aircraft yet? What were your thoughts?
Monday, November 28th, 2011
An eagle-eyed Virgin Australia follower has picked up that the recent construction at the Gold Coast (OOL) Airport is for our new Lounge!
Announced earlier this year, the Lounge will join a list that includes the recently redesigned and renovated Melbourne and Brisbane Lounges, as well as Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra.
Designed by renowned architect Tim Greer of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, the Lounge will be a key tool to providing an improved experience for those Guests visiting an important tourism destination such as the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast Lounge
The Lounge will be completed in 2012.
Are you excited by this addition to our Lounge network? Will you make good use of the Lounge?
Friday, October 28th, 2011
Research released today by Virgin Australia[1] shows that over the next few days, baggage carousels will be filled with up to 40,000 hats and over 55,000 lip glosses, which will be flown especially to Melbourne for The Cup and the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival.
With most believing that the Spring Racing Carnival is more about the social occasion, champagne and fashion (74%) than the racing (22%), it’s no wonder that getting their luggage there on time and intact is a top priority. Virgin Australia’s research revealed that the baggage carousels may be filled with an estimated $40 million worth of luggage this racing season.
Nikki Phillips flying with Virgin Australia to Melbourne's Spring Racing Carnival
Virgin Australia Group Executive Corporate Communications, Danielle Keighery said the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival is a positive boost for the Australian economy and the tourism industry in general.
“The Victorian Spring Racing Carnival has developed a reputation as one of the most important events on the sporting calendar, attracting domestic and international visitors alike. Last year, the carnival generated $728 million[2] for the Australian economy, with a similar contribution expected this year”.
“We are committed to supporting the Australian tourism industry and will be putting on 36 additional flights into and out of Melbourne over the key racing period[3]. Virgin Australia is well-prepared to transport Australia’s latest fashion trends as 40,000 hats, 110,000 dresses and pairs of heels make their way through carousels across the country”, Ms Keighery said.
Virgin Australia’s top tips for packing for the Spring Racing Carnival:
* Check the dimensions of your hat box. If it exceeds the carry-on allowance, check it-in at least 30 minutes before your flight.
* Pack an extra pair of shoes. A day at the races carries the high risk of broken high heels, mud and sore feet.
* Prepare for all weather conditions. With the unpredictability of the Spring season, you never know when you might need a warm jacket or an umbrella.
Other findings from the survey included:
* For most women Melbourne Cup is an excuse to splash out on new clothes and accessories with 80% of women willing to purchase a new dress for the race
* The average amount Australian women are prepared to spend on new items to look their best at Melbourne Cup is $370 – and that’s even before they have placed a bet
* Dirty shoes (48%), broken heels (42%) and fashion faux pas (23%) at the top of peoples ‘stress list’ when it comes to attending the races, explaining the sheer volume of luggage that travels to Melbourne
* The must-have beauty items for the race include lip-gloss (51%) and concealer (36%)
[1] Galaxy Research conducted 6/10/11, with a sample of 1510 respondents aged 18-64 across Australia.
[2] Figures provided by Victorian Racing Club and based on National Gross Economic Benefit – the total amount generated by the MCC in Australia by all Australians and international visitors.
[3] Refers to 29 October to 5 November 2011.
To book flights with Virgin Australia, visit the website here
