V Australia
Encyclopedia
Virgin Australia International Airlines Pty Ltd, trading as V Australia, is a long haul international airline owned by Virgin Blue Holdings. It operates as an international feeder for Virgin Australia. The airline is based in Sydney
.
On 4 May 2011, parent company Virgin Blue announced the rebranding of all of its services (including V Australia and Pacific Blue Airlines) under the new brand Virgin Australia. The rebranding of V Australia will take place in 2012.
or San Francisco International Airport
, saying that the route was needed to make the airline as profitable as possible. The airline was given permission for ten flights a week to the U.S. by Australian regulators on 24 July 2007. The plans were approved by US regulators on 15 February 2008, due to the signing of an open skies agreement
between Australia and the US. V Australia has since been allowed unlimited capacity between Australia and the U.S. by the Australian International Air Services Commission
.
Since then, V Australia applied to the United States Department of Transportation
to operate services to and from Sydney Airport
to Los Angeles International Airport
, San Francisco International Airport
, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
, McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas)
, and John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York City)
. Permission from the United States Department of Transportation
was given after the signing of the open skies agreement.
aircraft for use on international routes. Pending delivery of the six aircraft, V Australia leased its first Boeing 777-300ER from the International Lease Finance Corporation
; named Didgeree Blue, it was delivered to V Australia in Seattle at Boeing's headquarters on 26 January 2009. On 9 February Didgeree Blue touched down at Sydney Kingsford-Smith Airport after flying from Seattle via Los Angeles where it was launched to the U.S press by Sir Richard Branson
and Australian celebrities Julian McMahon
and Holly Valance
. In 2010 two of the Boeing 777 orders were converted to options for delivery in 2012.
V Australia commenced passenger services on 27 February 2009. On 17 August 2009, V Australia announced that it would expand on its Brisbane
/Sydney to Los Angeles routes. It was announced that the airline would fly from Melbourne to Johannesburg
, Los Angeles and Phuket, Thailand
; as well as Brisbane to Phuket. V Australia also announced on 17 August 2009 that it had applied to fly between Australia and Fiji. V Australia also considered routes to China, according to an interview with Sir Richard Branson.
On 26 August 2010 it was announced that due the unprofitability of the routes, V Australia would cease its 777-300ER services to Johannesburg and Phuket. On 24 February 2011, the aircraft were redeployed on services between Sydney and Abu Dhabi to coincide with the partnership between V Australia and Etihad Airways
.
The name of Virgin Blue's international airline was decided in the same way that Virgin Blue's own name was found, with a public naming competition conducted in early June 2007.
On 25 June 2007, Virgin Blue released the 8 finalists of the naming competition. They were:
Australia Blue and Virgin Pacific were early favourites to win the competition, despite a problem with the latter, as Singapore Airlines
(through its stake in Virgin Atlantic) has control over the use of the 'Virgin' name on International air routes, and had not, in the past, allowed its use (see Pacific Blue Airlines.)
On 25 July 2007, Virgin Blue announced that V Australia would be the name of the new carrier, with the runner up of the competition, Didgeree Blue, to be the name of the airline's first plane.
.
International Business Class
International Business class has a 2-3-2 configuration with fully horizontal flat beds that are 188 cm (6'2") long and seat pitch of 77". There is a personal workstation with laptop power, USB slot and reading light.
Business Class In-Flight entertainment has a 12.1" touchscreen PTV with AVOD on every seat.
International Premium Economy Class
Premium Economy class has a 2-4-2 configuration. Premium Economy has all-leather seats with a 38" seat pitch, 20" seat width and a 9" seat recline. The seats are equipped with adjustable headrests and footrests. There is a personal workstation with laptop power, USB slot and reading light. Premium Economy class In-Flight entertainment has a 10.6" touchscreen PTV with AVOD on every seat.
International Economy Class
International Economy class has a 3-3-3 configuration. Economy seats have a 32" seat pitch, 18.8" seat width and seat recline up to 6".
USB slots are available to power laptops and other personal devices (MP3 Players etc.). Economy class In-Flight entertainment has a 9" touchscreen PTV with AVOD on every seat.
system. RED is fully touch-screen and handset controlled. There is no fee for use. RED features an extensive video on demand library that includes new release film, TV series and TV programmes. Destination guides are available. Other functions available through RED include music on demand (approx 200+ CD library) and video games. Seat-to-seat chat is available as well as in flight map and flight information.
Both V Australia Business Class and Premium Economy Class passengers connecting to V Australia on Virgin Australia flights domestically within Australia are entitled to access Virgin Australia's domestic lounges on the day of travel.
Currently, V Australia uses Air New Zealand
's Koru Lounge in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Alaska Airlines
' Boardroom Lounge in Los Angeles (Terminal 3) and Etihad Airways' Lounge in Abu Dhabi.
Australia
United Arab Emirates
United States
, Phuket
and Nadi
.
(to Seattle–Tacoma); Delta Air Lines
; and Horizon Air
(to Portland).
It was announced on 26 August 2010 that V Australia had signed a codeshare and interline agreement with Etihad Airways
, giving Virgin passengers access to 65 destinations in Europe and the Middle East.
Within Virgin-branded airlines V Australia offers codeshare services with Virgin Australia throughout its network in Oceania, and to and from New Zealand
with Pacific Blue Airlines. V Australia also has an interline agreement with Virgin America to Boston
, Las Vegas
, San Francisco, New York
, Seattle and Washington DC.
Virgin America
and V Australia share terminal facilities at Los Angeles International Airport
's Terminal 3, although inbound V Australia flights arrive at the Terminal 5. All V Australia connections are through Los Angeles International Airport. U.S. interline passengers are transferred onto V Australia to a destination within Australia.
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
.
On 4 May 2011, parent company Virgin Blue announced the rebranding of all of its services (including V Australia and Pacific Blue Airlines) under the new brand Virgin Australia. The rebranding of V Australia will take place in 2012.
Virgin intention
In early 2006, Virgin Blue announced its intention to operate up to seven flights a week to the U.S. through either Los Angeles International AirportLos Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
or San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport is a major international airport located south of downtown San Francisco, California, United States, near the cities of Millbrae and San Bruno in unincorporated San Mateo County. It is often referred to as SFO...
, saying that the route was needed to make the airline as profitable as possible. The airline was given permission for ten flights a week to the U.S. by Australian regulators on 24 July 2007. The plans were approved by US regulators on 15 February 2008, due to the signing of an open skies agreement
Open skies
Open skies is an international policy concept which calls for the liberalization of rules and regulations on international aviation industry most specially commercial aviation - opening a free market for the airline industry...
between Australia and the US. V Australia has since been allowed unlimited capacity between Australia and the U.S. by the Australian International Air Services Commission
International Air Services Commission
The International Air Services Commission is an independent Australian Government agency, responsible to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services. IASC's role is to determine the outcomes of applications by existing and prospective Australian airlines for capacity and route entitlements...
.
Since then, V Australia applied to the United States Department of Transportation
United States Department of Transportation
The United States Department of Transportation is a federal Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with transportation. It was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, and began operation on April 1, 1967...
to operate services to and from Sydney Airport
Sydney Airport
Sydney Airport may refer to:* Sydney Airport, also known as Kingsford Smith International Airport, in Sydney, Australia* Sydney/J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport, in Nova Scotia, Canada...
to Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
, San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport is a major international airport located south of downtown San Francisco, California, United States, near the cities of Millbrae and San Bruno in unincorporated San Mateo County. It is often referred to as SFO...
, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
The Seattle–Tacoma International Airport , also known as Sea–Tac Airport or Sea–Tac , is an American airport located in SeaTac, Washington, at the intersections of State Routes 99 and 509 and 518, about west of Interstate 5...
, McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas)
McCarran International Airport
McCarran International Airport is the principal commercial airport serving Las Vegas and Clark County, Nevada, United States. The airport is located five miles south of the central business district of Las Vegas, in the unincorporated area of Paradise in Clark County. It covers an area of and...
, and John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York City)
John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport is an international airport located in the borough of Queens in New York City, about southeast of Lower Manhattan. It is the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States, handling more international traffic than any other airport in North...
. Permission from the United States Department of Transportation
United States Department of Transportation
The United States Department of Transportation is a federal Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with transportation. It was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, and began operation on April 1, 1967...
was given after the signing of the open skies agreement.
First aircraft
V Australia placed orders with Boeing to purchase six Boeing 777-300ERBoeing 777
The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model...
aircraft for use on international routes. Pending delivery of the six aircraft, V Australia leased its first Boeing 777-300ER from the International Lease Finance Corporation
International Lease Finance Corporation
The International Lease Finance Corporation is an aircraft lessor headquartered in Century City, Los Angeles, California.It is the world's largest aircraft lessor by value, though ILFC's rival, General Electric's GECAS unit, has more aircraft...
; named Didgeree Blue, it was delivered to V Australia in Seattle at Boeing's headquarters on 26 January 2009. On 9 February Didgeree Blue touched down at Sydney Kingsford-Smith Airport after flying from Seattle via Los Angeles where it was launched to the U.S press by Sir Richard Branson
Richard Branson
Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies....
and Australian celebrities Julian McMahon
Julian McMahon
Julian Dana William McMahon is an Australian actor and former fashion model. He is best known for his portrayals of Cole Turner in The WB hit series Charmed, womanizing plastic surgeon Christian Troy on the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning TV show Nip/Tuck, and Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four and...
and Holly Valance
Holly Valance
Holly Valance is an Australian actress, singer, and model, who has dual United Kingdom citizenship. Valance began her career as Felicity "Flick" Scully on the Australian soap opera Neighbours...
. In 2010 two of the Boeing 777 orders were converted to options for delivery in 2012.
V Australia commenced passenger services on 27 February 2009. On 17 August 2009, V Australia announced that it would expand on its Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
/Sydney to Los Angeles routes. It was announced that the airline would fly from Melbourne to Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, Los Angeles and Phuket, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
; as well as Brisbane to Phuket. V Australia also announced on 17 August 2009 that it had applied to fly between Australia and Fiji. V Australia also considered routes to China, according to an interview with Sir Richard Branson.
On 26 August 2010 it was announced that due the unprofitability of the routes, V Australia would cease its 777-300ER services to Johannesburg and Phuket. On 24 February 2011, the aircraft were redeployed on services between Sydney and Abu Dhabi to coincide with the partnership between V Australia and Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways is the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates. Established in July 2003 and based at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad commenced operations in November 2003....
.
Naming competition
On 25 June 2007, Virgin Blue released the 8 finalists of the naming competition. They were:
- Matilda Blue
- V Australia Airlines
- Australia Blue
- Virgin Pacific
- Amelia Blue
- Didgeree Blue
- Liberty Blue
- Virgin Australia
Australia Blue and Virgin Pacific were early favourites to win the competition, despite a problem with the latter, as Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Changi Airport and has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets...
(through its stake in Virgin Atlantic) has control over the use of the 'Virgin' name on International air routes, and had not, in the past, allowed its use (see Pacific Blue Airlines.)
On 25 July 2007, Virgin Blue announced that V Australia would be the name of the new carrier, with the runner up of the competition, Didgeree Blue, to be the name of the airline's first plane.
Cabin classes
V Australia offers a 3-class service on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft: International Business Class, International Premium Economy Class and International Economy Class. All three classes feature ambient Mood Lighting relative to the time of day or night, similar to that of sister airline Virgin AmericaVirgin America
Virgin America, Inc. is a United States-based low-cost airline that began service on August 8, 2007. The airline's stated aim is to provide low-fare, high-quality service for "long-haul point-to-point service between major metropolitan cities on the Eastern and West Coast seaboards." San Francisco...
.
International Business Class
International Business class has a 2-3-2 configuration with fully horizontal flat beds that are 188 cm (6'2") long and seat pitch of 77". There is a personal workstation with laptop power, USB slot and reading light.
Business Class In-Flight entertainment has a 12.1" touchscreen PTV with AVOD on every seat.
International Premium Economy Class
Premium Economy class has a 2-4-2 configuration. Premium Economy has all-leather seats with a 38" seat pitch, 20" seat width and a 9" seat recline. The seats are equipped with adjustable headrests and footrests. There is a personal workstation with laptop power, USB slot and reading light. Premium Economy class In-Flight entertainment has a 10.6" touchscreen PTV with AVOD on every seat.
International Economy Class
International Economy class has a 3-3-3 configuration. Economy seats have a 32" seat pitch, 18.8" seat width and seat recline up to 6".
USB slots are available to power laptops and other personal devices (MP3 Players etc.). Economy class In-Flight entertainment has a 9" touchscreen PTV with AVOD on every seat.
In-flight entertainment
V Australia's In-Flight entertainment RED is based on the Panasonic eX2Panasonic Avionics Corporation
Panasonic Avionics Corporation is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation and is headquartered in Lake Forest, California with major business functions also shared with the former headquarters located in Bothell, WA.Established in 1980, the product engineering and development departments are...
system. RED is fully touch-screen and handset controlled. There is no fee for use. RED features an extensive video on demand library that includes new release film, TV series and TV programmes. Destination guides are available. Other functions available through RED include music on demand (approx 200+ CD library) and video games. Seat-to-seat chat is available as well as in flight map and flight information.
Lounge access
Lounge access is available when flying V Australia for International Business Class passengers and Velocity Gold members only. Velocity Gold confers access regardless of class of travel.Both V Australia Business Class and Premium Economy Class passengers connecting to V Australia on Virgin Australia flights domestically within Australia are entitled to access Virgin Australia's domestic lounges on the day of travel.
Currently, V Australia uses Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Limited is the national airline and flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 26 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations in 15 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, and is...
's Koru Lounge in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines is an airline based in the Seattle suburb of SeaTac, Washington in the United States. The airline originated in 1932 as McGee Airways. After many mergers with and acquisitions of other airlines, including Star Air Service, it became known as Alaska Airlines in 1944...
' Boardroom Lounge in Los Angeles (Terminal 3) and Etihad Airways' Lounge in Abu Dhabi.
Destinations
V Australia serves the following at July 2011;Australia
- BrisbaneBrisbaneBrisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
- Brisbane AirportBrisbane AirportBrisbane Airport is the sole passenger airport serving Brisbane and the third busiest in Australia, after Melbourne and Sydney Airports. Brisbane Airport has won many awards. Located in the suburb with the same name, the airport serves the city of Brisbane and the surrounding metropolitan area... - MelbourneMelbourneMelbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
- Melbourne AirportMelbourne AirportMelbourne Airport , also known as Tullamarine Airport, is the primary airport serving the city of Melbourne and the second busiest in Australia. It was opened in 1970 to replace the nearby Essendon Airport. Melbourne Airport is the sole international airport of the four airports serving the... - SydneySydneySydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
- Sydney AirportSydney AirportSydney Airport may refer to:* Sydney Airport, also known as Kingsford Smith International Airport, in Sydney, Australia* Sydney/J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport, in Nova Scotia, Canada...
[Base]
United Arab Emirates
- Abu DhabiAbu DhabiAbu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
- Abu Dhabi International AirportAbu Dhabi International AirportAbu Dhabi International Airport is an airport in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the world in terms of passengers , new airline operators, and infrastructural development...
United States
- Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
- Los Angeles International AirportLos Angeles International AirportLos Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
Terminated destinations
V Australia previously served JohannesburgJohannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, Phuket
Phuket Province
Phuket , formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon , is one of the southern provinces of Thailand...
and Nadi
Nadi
Nadi is the third-largest conurbation in Fiji. It is located on the western side of the main island of Viti Levu, and had a population of 42,284 at the most recent census, in 2007. Nadi is multiracial with many of its inhabitants Indian or Fijian, along with a large transient population of foreign...
.
Codeshare & interline agreements
Currently, V Australia has interline agreements with Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines is an airline based in the Seattle suburb of SeaTac, Washington in the United States. The airline originated in 1932 as McGee Airways. After many mergers with and acquisitions of other airlines, including Star Air Service, it became known as Alaska Airlines in 1944...
(to Seattle–Tacoma); Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
; and Horizon Air
Horizon Air
Horizon Air Industries, Inc. is a regional low-cost airline based in SeaTac, Washington, United States. It is the eighth largest regional airline in the USA, serving 52 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico....
(to Portland).
It was announced on 26 August 2010 that V Australia had signed a codeshare and interline agreement with Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways is the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates. Established in July 2003 and based at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad commenced operations in November 2003....
, giving Virgin passengers access to 65 destinations in Europe and the Middle East.
Within Virgin-branded airlines V Australia offers codeshare services with Virgin Australia throughout its network in Oceania, and to and from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
with Pacific Blue Airlines. V Australia also has an interline agreement with Virgin America to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, San Francisco, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Seattle and Washington DC.
Virgin America
Virgin America
Virgin America, Inc. is a United States-based low-cost airline that began service on August 8, 2007. The airline's stated aim is to provide low-fare, high-quality service for "long-haul point-to-point service between major metropolitan cities on the Eastern and West Coast seaboards." San Francisco...
and V Australia share terminal facilities at Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
's Terminal 3, although inbound V Australia flights arrive at the Terminal 5. All V Australia connections are through Los Angeles International Airport. U.S. interline passengers are transferred onto V Australia to a destination within Australia.
Fleet
As of September 2011, the V Australia fleet consists of the following aircraft:| Aircraft | In Fleet | Orders/Options | Passengers | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | P | Y | Total | |||
| Boeing 777-300ER Boeing 777 The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model... |
5 | 0/2 | 33 | 40 | 280 | 353 |