Category Archives: Virgin Australia

Virgin America seeks U.S. DOT approval for code share agreement with Virgin Australia

Virgin America (San Francisco) announced today that it is requestingย U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approval to place the Virgin Australia Airlines (Brisbane) code on Virgin America services from Los Angeles to Boston, Chicago (O’Hare), Dallas/Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Philadelphia, Portland, Seattle and Washington D.C. ย Once approved, this will be the first-ever codeshare agreement for the California-based carrier, building on a 2009ย interline agreement with Virgin Australiaย that paved the way for a more seamless travel experience for guests flying betweenย Australiaย and the U.S. This will offer seamless booking on a single ticket for guests traveling fromย Australiaย to multiple destinations in the U.S. ย Virgin America’s recent move to a newreservations systemย allowed the carrier to initiate this first code share alliance as well as significantly expand itsย interlineย partnerships in recent months.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing.

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Bottom Copyright Photo: Micheil Keegan.

Etihad Airways acquires a 3.96% share of Virgin Australia

Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) has acquired a 3.96 percent share of Virgin Australia Airlines (Brisbane) for $35.6 million.

Read the full report by Reuters: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Paul Denton.

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Bottom Copyright Photo: John Adlard.

Etihad Airways wet leases a Boeing 777-300 ER from Virgin Australia for the Kuala Lumpur route

Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) is wet leasing a Boeing 777-300 ER from Virgin Australia Airlines (Brisbane) for the Abu Dhabi-Kuala Lumpur route.

The company issued the following statement:

“Etihad Airways has leased a Virgin Australia Boeing 777-300ER for use on its route between Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur.ย The once a week wet lease service again reflects the importance of the relationship between the two carriers.ย Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia forged a ten-year strategic partnership 21 months ago.

The aircraft is configured with 33 flat bed seats in Business class and 328 seats in Economy class.ย  The return flights will be operated as normal using Etihad Airways’ existing daily EY411 and EY418 flight codes, respectively. Flight time is seven hours and 20 minutes.ย Etihad Airways flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur using a Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft.”

Top Copyright Photo: Arnd Wolf.

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Bottom Copyright Photo: Micheil Keegan.

Virgin Australia refreshes the cabin of the Boeing 777-300 ER fleet, the first Triple Seven is repainted

Virgin Australia Airlines (Brisbane)ย has revealed a new design and interior refresh of the Boeing 777-300 ER fleet.

According to the airline, “the Boeing 777 re-design will bring a fresh and contemporary new look to the fleet, consistent with that across the Virgin Australia domestic network.”

The 777 cabin interior will undergo a complete re-design of seat fabrics, carpets and curtain dividers. Seats across Business, Premium Economy and Economy have been updated for even more comfort with extra padding, new fabrics and headrests throughout the aircraft.

Led by Virgin Australiaโ€™s Creative Director, Hans Hulsbosch, the new designs are inspired by the ceiling and flooring โ€œleafโ€ designs in the Virgin Australia lounges, and have been created exclusively for the 777 fleet. The design and color palette creates a strong brand connection across the Virgin Australia journey.

The new features include:

  • Newly designed custom fabric covers for Business, Premium Economy and Economy Seats
  • Fabrics manufactured by world renowned fabric manufacturers Rohi, in Munich, Germany.
  • All seat covers feature enhanced cushioning for extra comfort
  • Newly designed curtain dividers
  • New carpet throughout cabin

The first Boeing 777-300 with the cabin redesign entered revenue service on April 12, with the remainder of the fleet rolling out with the refresh throughout the rest of the year.

In other news, the airlineย revealed a series of major enhancements to its facilities at Sydney Airportโ€™s Domestic terminal (T2) and Melbourne Airportsโ€™ Domestic Terminal 3.

The enhancements at Sydney Airport include a new state-of-the-art lounge and a significant upgrade to its dedicated pier within the terminal. The new architecturally designed lounge will stretch over two levels, doubling the existing size of the Sydney lounge and providing sweeping views of Botany Bay and beyond. Virgin Australiaโ€™s Pier A at Terminal 2 will be refurbished internally and expanded to accommodate larger aircraft.

The enhancements at Sydney and Melbourne domestic airports are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Copyright Photo: Micheil Keegan. The first repainted ex-V Australia Boeing 777-3ZG ER (VH-VPH) departs from Sydney today (April 28) bound for Abu Dhabi.

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Virgin Australia acquires a share in Skywest Airlines

Virgin Australia Airlines (Virgin Australia Holdings-VAH) (Brisbane) has announced that it has made an investment in Skywest Airlines Ltd. (Perth). The airline made the investment “in order to capitalize on opportunities in regional Australia by supporting further growth of VAH and Skywestโ€™s regional partnership.
Should this investment and associated rights be converted to equity VAH will own approximately 10% of Skywest on a fully diluted basis.”

Virgin Australia has grown its regional operations significantly since launching its regional network with Skywest in October 2011, with the commencement of new services to Emerald, Gladstone and Port Macquarie.

The fleet of four new ATR 72 aircraft being operated by Skywest in Virgin Australia’s colors will increase to 12 by the end of the 2013 financial year.

The investment will be made by way of an A$8 million convertible facility with Skywest. The facility is convertible by VAH into ordinary shares in Skywest at a conversion price of A$0.45 per Skywest share with a maturity date of April 15, 2015 and a coupon rate of 7.5% per annum.

In addition, Skywest has agreed to grant VAH a first tranche of 4 million warrants at a grant price of A$0.05 per warrant with a conversion price of A$0.45 per warrant along with rights to participate in future share issues during the term of the facility to avoid dilution. Subject to Skywest shareholder approval and there being no objection under Australia’s foreign investment policy Skywest intends to grant an additional tranche of 2.41 million warrants to VAH on the same terms. The warrants have a maturity date of April 15, 2015. If the facility and all warrants are converted by VAH, then VAH would hold an equity stake of approximately 10% in Skywest on a fully diluted basis.

Top and Bottom Copyright Photos: Peter Gates.

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Virgin Australia and Skywest Airlines win tentative approval for their alliance, Virgin Australia retires its last ERJ 170

Virgin Australia Airlines (formerly Virgin Blue Airlines) (Brisbane) and Skywest Airlines (Perth) have beenย granted tentative approval by theย Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)ย for a proposed corporate alliance between the two carriers according to this article by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Additionallyย Virgin Australia has announced additional flights as part of an accelerated capacity growth plan for major corporate, resources sector and leisure routes. The airline will be introducing the following:

  • From February 13, 2012, extra services between Brisbane-Melbourne, Sydney-Melbourne and Adelaide-Melbourne โ€“ and also between Brisbane-Cairns and Brisbane-Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine).
  • From February 19, 2012, an additional return service will also be introduced between Brisbane and Gladstone on Sundays in response to demand.
  • From February 20, 2012, extra services will also be added between Brisbane and Rockhampton.
  • Adelaide-Melbourne:ย An additional return flight Mondays through Fridays; taking the total number of flights offered between the two cities up to 10 per day or 130 per week.
    Brisbane-Melbourne:ย An extra return flight seven days a week; taking the total number of flights offered on the route up to 13 daily or 174 per week.
    Melbourne-Sydney:ย An extra return flight seven days a week; taking the total number of flights offered between the two cities up to 31 daily or 392 per week.
  • Brisbane-Gladstone:ย One extra return flight on Sundays (using the ATR); taking the total number of flights offered by the airline on the route to 34 per week.
    Brisbane-Rockhampton:ย An extra return flight, Monday to Friday; taking the total number of Virgin Australia flights between Brisbane-Rockhampton up to 78 per week.
    Brisbane-Cairns:ย An extra return flight will be added every day except Saturdays; taking the total number of Virgin Australia flights between Brisbane and Cairns each week to 80.
    Brisbane and Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine):ย An additional return service, Monday to Friday, will be introduced; taking the total number of flights offered by the airline on the route to 24 per week.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

In other news, Virgin Australia has retired its last Embraer ERJ 170.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. Still painted in Virgin Blue’s brand, Embraer ERJ 170-100LR VH-ZHF (msn 17000255) passed through Honolulu on January 25 on its trek across the wide Pacific Ocean headed eastbound. None of the ERJ 170s were repainted in the new Virgin Australia identity.

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Virgin Australia to introduce the Airbus A330 from Melbourne to both Sydney and Perth

Virgin Australia Airlines (Brisbane) is bringing the Airbus A330 to Melbourne to operate domestic wide-body flights to both Sydney and Perth.

According to the airline, from May 14, 2012, the Airbus A330 will operate two daily roundtrip services, including a daily peak-return morning service, from Melbourne to Sydney.

Daily Airbus A330 flights to Perth will depart at 1 pm (1300) and 5:30 pm (1730) local Melbourne time, arriving in Perth at 3:15 pm (1515) and 7:45 pm (1945) respectively local Perth time.

Return flights from Perth will depart at 8:30 am (0830) and 5:30 pm (1730) local Perth time, arriving in Melbourne at 1:45 pm (1345) and 10:45 pm (2245) respectively local Melbourne time.

The daily Airbus A330 service between Melbourne and Sydney will depart at 7:15 am (0715) local Melbourne time, arriving in Sydney at 8:40 am (0840). The return service will depart Sydney at 10:00 am (1000) local Sydney time, arriving in Melbourne at 11:35 am (1135).

In other news, Virgin Australia previously announced its intention to operate a route between Brisbane and the Queensland Central Highlands city of Emerald.

Virgin Australia’s Inaugural Emerald flight has landed this morning with the Skywest-operated ATR 72 VH-FVH operating as flight DJ 1255, left a very wet Brisbane Airport.

Ninety minutes later, the French-built aircraft, named โ€œFour Mile Beachโ€ after the beautiful Port Douglas beach, touched down completing the first commercial flight to the Queensland town of Emerald.

Copyright Photo: Morris Biondi.

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Virgin Australia Airlines retires the V Australia and Pacific Blue names and brand

Virgin Australia Airlines (formerly Virgin Blue Airlines) (Brisbane) today (December 7) retired the V Australia name and brand.

Virgin Australia officially launched the new name for both V Australia and Pacific Blue under the same new brand, Virgin Australia.

To quote the airline on the change, โ€œThe new identity has been designed with a clean and contemporary look and feel that encapsulates our companyโ€™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 2012โ€

Above and below: Boeing 777-3ZG ER VH-VPH (msn 37943) taxies at Sydney on December 7, 2011 with the new titles while (for now) retaining the V Australia color scheme.

Below: The Pacific Blue Airlines name and brand is also being retired.

The international aircraft will be staying in the old colors until the aircraft enter heavy maintenance and repainting.

V Australia commenced passenger operations on February 27, 2009.

Copyright Photos: John Adlard.

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Virgin Australia Airlines-Singapore Airlines alliance receives its final approval

Virgin Australia Airlines (Brisbane) and Singapore Airlines (Singapore) have received approval their new alliance.

Virgin Australia issued the following statement today:

“Virgin Australia group of airlines today welcomed the ACCCโ€™s final approval of its proposed alliance with Singapore Airlines.

The ACCCโ€™s determination represents the final regulatory approval needed for Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines to proceed with their wide-ranging alliance.

The alliance will enable the two airlines to provide guests with an expanded network of destinations, seamless connections, a more convenient flight schedule and more opportunities to earn frequent flyer points and access lounges.

By the end of the year Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines will launch reciprocal frequent flyer benefits. Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer members will be able to earn and redeem Frequent Flyer Points and Status Credits on Singapore Airlines operated flights. The two airlines expect to launch reciprocal codeshare early next year.

Virgin Australia will now be able to offer global flight coverage through alliances with Etihad Airways, Air New Zealand, Delta Air Lines and Singapore Airlines, increasing its international reach from around 60 destinations to over 400 destinations worldwide.”

Copyright Photo: John Adlard.

Virgin Australia Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Hawaiian Airlines and Virgin Australia launch code share flights to Hawaii

Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) and Virgin Australia (Brisbane) group of airlines have launched a new agreement that allows Virgin Australia’s international airline, V Australia, to codeshare on Hawaiian Airlines flights between Sydney and Honolulu, as well as beyond on connecting neighbor island flights in Hawaii to Kahului, Maui; Lihue, Kauai; and Hilo and Kona on Hawaii Island.

Hawaiian currently operates five weekly flights from Australia, and will increase to year-round daily departures starting December 14, 2011.

Hawaiian and Virgin Australia have had an interline agreement in place since 2006, allowing Hawaiian’s guests to connect to destinations throughout Australia and New Zealand.

This agreement also allows members of Virgin Australia’s frequent flyer program Velocity to earn and redeem frequent flyer points on Hawaiian’s flights. The two carriers are working on a reciprocal program allowing Hawaiian Miles members to earn and redeem miles on Virgin Australia that is expected to take effect in 2012.

Copyright Photo: Eddie Maloney.

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