Australia's New International Airline to Take Off with Flights From Hollywood to...

Australia's New International Airline to Take Off with Flights From Hollywood
to Sydney's Famous Harbour
V Australia Announces LAX-SYD as Launch Route From December

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 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 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

SOURCE Virgin Australia Airlines

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