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Australia's New International Airline to Take Off With Flights From Hollywood to Sydney's Famous Harbour

Posted on: Monday, 31 March 2008, 15:00 CDT

BRISBANE, Australia, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Australia's newest international Airline, V Australia, has announced direct Los Angeles - Sydney flights as its inaugural trans-Pacific route when it takes to the skies from 15 December 2008.*

Virgin Blue co-founders Sir Richard Branson and Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey flew in to LA this morning along with members of the V Australia executive team.

They made the announcement with Los Angeles Mayor, Antonia R. Villaraigosa, and Mary Peters, the US Department of Transportation Secretary, via satellite.

Sir Richard Branson said, "The trans-Pacific route is in dire need of competition and a good shake-up and that's a challenge we are always keen to take on.

Sir Richard Branson added, "We're not just launching a new route and a new destination, it's our first route as we launch a new international airline for Australia, and the launch of V Australia also means the Virgin Group for the first time will offer a global network of airlines that allow travellers to fly worldwide on Virgin airlines' that all share the same vision and commitment to safety, service, fun and flair."

V Australia Airlines officially starts selling seats today, just in time for Christmas travellers to take advantage of the competitive fares.

To celebrate the "go live" sale date, V Australia Airlines is offering American travellers 1,000 International Economy seats between Los Angeles and Sydney for $777* return (internet sale fare - taxes, fees and restrictions apply). Every day economy fares will start from $2019* return (exclusive of taxes and Government imposed fees) which is 16% lower than the current lowest available published fare on the route for the same peak travel period (as at noon Sunday 30 March 2008).

The launch of V Australia Airlines will be the first time ever there has been a second Australian airline competing on the trans-Pacific route. It comes just weeks after the Australia and US Governments signed an historic open skies agreement, allowing Australian or US owned airlines to fly freely between the two countries.

V Australia Airlines will offer the full suite of products expected of an international long haul airline but with its usual twist of innovation as part of its three class offering.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, "I am pleased to announce that V Australia Airlines will be a contemporary modern Australian style airline, initially offering three classes of travel including International Business, International Premium Economy and International Economy."

He continued, "We have spent the past two years researching what people value most in an international travel experience and our research shows that the highest ranking desirables are seat size, personal space and being entertained."

"We held off finalising our own in-flight offering until other international airlines unveiled their updated product highlights. Off the back of that, we made modifications to ensure V Australia's in-flight products and services benchmark favorably against all competitors, including those flying today or those with declared plans for tomorrow."

V Australia's product will include full service features such as complimentary meals and beverages and generous seating. The airline will also be the only airline operating on the trans-Pacific to offer the latest in-flight technology connectivity throughout all cabins so Guests are able to send and receive SMS text messages, as well as send and receive emails using GPRS devices such as BlackBerrys(R) and mobile phones exactly as they are used on the ground.

Brett Godfrey added, "V Australia's focus on space, comfort and entertainment, coupled with Virgin Blue's renowned customer service will stand the airline in good stead to compete with the region's best carriers, with the added bonus of lowering the fares."

"International Business" will be a boutique style executive business product with an intimate dedicated cabin and crew. International Business will offer a fully flat horizontal bed (stretch out and sleep with 77 inches of space) and offers choice and individuality, including the freedom of an a la carte menu and on demand entertainment so Guests can watch and eat what they want, when they want, depending on personal preference.

"International Premium Economy" will be an all-inclusive dedicated cabin. It will offer 40 seats that are amongst the largest seats ever offered in a Premium Economy class of any airline, either flying today or declared to fly in the future. The seats boast a full 20 inches of width and a 9 inch recline and no seat will have less than 38 inches of leg room. The new premium style of travel is tailored to those who want more comfort, more space and the little things that make a difference including mood lighting and in-seat audio and video on demand.

"International Economy" will provide the most spacious economy seating option of any airline operating the trans-Pacific route, individual on-demand seat back entertainment and comfy seating (designed for the yet to fly Boeing 787) in a 3x3x3 configuration, with an unparalleled 18.8 inches of seat width and 32 inches of leg room. V Australia's International Economy will offer more for less in terms of superior comfort for some 14% lower than existing fares on the route.^

V Australia will unveil further details about its discount fares and its in-flight product in coming months but travellers can expect some of Virgin's personable point of difference including crew that will take service levels to a new height for trans-Pacific travel.

V Australia has confirmed its LA-Sydney launch route following months of discussions and negotiations with a number of airports in both Australia and the United States of America.

Los Angeles-Sydney was chosen as the first route for V Australia due to both Sydney and Los Angeles being major gateway cities in both countries. In the United States, passengers will be able to connect to or from North West Airlines, the first US based airline to partner with V Australia Airlines and the fifth largest airline in the world, to access other US cities.

In Australia, Virgin Blue's Sydney hub will offer a host of connecting options from V Australia, starting with Virgin Blue's domestic destinations and expanding to include connections to Pacific Blue flights to New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Brett Godfrey said, "Today is a very significant day for V Australia, for Virgin Blue, for our team, for Australian and US travellers and Australian tourism."

"We are proud as an Australian airline to be bringing a new, contemporary and passionate airline to the trans-Pacific market that will bring genuine competition and a fresh alternative to travellers."

Brett Godfrey added, "V Australia Airlines is a multi-billion dollar investment for the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines and it's not one we have taken lightly. Today's announcements are the first of many and we have every intention of bringing revolutionary change not just to the trans-Pacific route but across the region."

For V Australia Airlines bookings, log on to http://www.vaustralia.com/ or contact your local travel agent. (Note: Agent bookings to come on line shortly)

V AUSTRALIA LOS ANGELES-SYDNEY LAUNCH SCHEDULE LOS ANGELES - SYDNEY - EFFECTIVE 15 DECEMBER 2008 FLIGHT DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN NO VA 002 11.30pm 9.20am Flying Flying Flying Flying Flying Flying Flying + 2 days SYDNEY - LOS ANGELES - EFFECTIVE 15 DECEMBER 2008 FLIGHT DEP ARR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN NO VA 001 9.45pm 4.30pm Flying Flying Flying Flying Flying Flying Flying

^ Based on current lowest available published fare on the route for the same peak travel period as V Australia commencing operations

-- *Subject to regulatory approval. -- *Launch fare on sale from 10.30am PDT Monday 31 March 2008 until midnight Sunday 6 April 2008 or until sold out for travel between 15 December 2008 and 15 March 2009. The launch fare is a round trip internet fare and available only for instant purchase online. No stopovers are permitted. Fare is non refundable. -- Every day economy fares are refundable before the day of departure and attract a refund a fee of $USD500 and a service fee through the Guest Contact Centre of $USD15. No refund is available on or after the date of departure. -- For all fares seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Fares quoted exclude Government -imposed taxes and fees which range from approximately $US100 to $US250 depending on routing and include the September 11th Security Fee. Tickets purchased through the Guest Contact Centre cost $USD15 more. -- For full details of fare terms and conditions see http://www.vaustralia.com/ For further information: Heather Jeffery General Manager, Public Affairs Virgin Blue Group of Airlines +61 412 922 122 Heather.jeffery@virginblue.com.au Amanda Bolger Manager, Public & Media Relations Virgin Blue Group of Airlines +61 402 137 071 amanda.bolger@virginblue.com.au

Virgin Australia Airlines

CONTACT: Heather Jeffery, General Manager, Public Affairs, Virgin BlueGroup of Airlines, +61 412 922 122, Heather.jeffery@virginblue.com.au, orAmanda Bolger, Manager, Public & Media Relations, Virgin Blue Group ofAirlines, +61 402 137 071, amanda.bolger@virginblue.com.au

Web site: http://www.vaustralia.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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