V Australia Announces Second Trans-Pacific Route Direct Los Angeles - Brisbane
Flights: From the 'City Of Angels' to 'Sunny Queensland' for $999* Return
* V Australia celebrates Independence Day early by announcing direct flights
between Los Angeles and Brisbane, Australia. New flights to offer travelers
freedom of choice from March 1, 2009 - $999
BRISBANE, Australia, July 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Australia's newest
international airline, V Australia, has announced it will launch non-stop
flights between Los Angeles and Brisbane, Queensland Australia, from early
next year giving American travelers direct access to Australia's renowned
'Sunshine State'. Queensland is home to some of the world's most extraordinary
natural wonders including The Great Barrier Reef and the heritage-listed
Daintree Rainforest.
Los Angeles-Brisbane is the second route to be announced for V Australia
which will take off on its inaugural flight between Los Angeles and Sydney on
December 15, 2008*.
V Australia will launch three flights a week between Los Angeles and
Brisbane from March 1, 2009*. The carrier will operate Boeing 777-300ER
aircraft configured to a three class cabin offering International Business
Class, International Premium Economy Class and International Economy class.
V Australia Executive General Manager, Scott Swift, said, "We are excited
to be linking the City of LA directly with Brisbane city, the second
Australian destination to be added to the V Australia network. This will be
tremendous for US travelers keen to experience tropical Queensland.
Importantly, this new flight will also provide another direct link from
Australia to Los Angeles, equating to approximately 1000 additional seats per
week in the market from Brisbane alone, which will increase visitors to North
America and help to boost business and tourism opportunities".
V Australia will direct its third 777-300ER aircraft to the Los Angeles-
Brisbane route and carried out extensive research before deciding to commit
the resources to operating a second trans-Pacific flight directly out of LA to
Brisbane. Only one other airline currently operates direct services between
the two cities, making it ripe for competition.
Scott Swift continued, "LA-Sydney may be the busiest route between Los
Angeles and Australia but V Australia is also eager to give the Los Angeles-
Brisbane route a red hot go and we are keen to help ramp up visitor numbers to
California and beyond."
Los Angeles Mayor, Antonia R. Villaraigosa, said, "I am delighted that V
Australia has identified the Brisbane-LA route as having strong potential in
terms of passenger growth and we welcome V Australia's vote of confidence in
Los Angeles and the greater state of California."
Mayor Villaraigosa added, "Providing direct access for Australian
travelers to LA is going to be critical in luring more visitors to experience
the attractions of this great city and then travel onwards to other world
famous Californian and USA destinations".
V Australia will initially introduce three direct flights a week between
LA and Brisbane on a Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and is confident its
attractive fares, convenient direct flight and refreshing product and people
will prove a successful formula.
To kick off the new service V Australia today announced "1776 economy
seats on sale" to 19 destinations in Australia via Brisbane or Sydney for the
return fare of $999* for the round trip inclusive of all taxes (including
September 11 security fee) and charges of approximately $320 (available only
on the internet). The sale fare is available from 9.00pm PDT today until sold
out.
Every day return economy fares will start from $1739* return which is 15
percent lower than the current lowest available published fare on the route
for the same travel period (as at 9.00am AEST Friday July 4, 2008).
For V Australia Airlines bookings, log on to www.vaustralia.com, call
1-800-444-0260 or contact your local travel agent.
V AUSTRALIA LOS ANGELES - BRISBANE LAUNCH SCHEDULE
LOS ANGELES - BRISBANE - EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2009
FLIGHT NO. VA - 8
Departing 2230 Arriving 0655 (+2 days) MON WED FRI
BRISBANE - LOS ANGELES - EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2009
FLIGHT NO. VA - 7
Departing 1135 Arriving 0700 WED FRI SUN
* Subject to Regulatory approval. Launch fares are on sale from 9.00pm
PDT on Thursday July 3, 2008 to July 10, 2008 or until sold out, for travel
between March 1 - April 7, 2009 and April 29 - May 31, 2009. Fares are economy
round trip fares and include taxes, fees and charges (including the September
11 Security Fee). Fares are subject to availability and may not be available
on all flights. Fares are available only for instant purchase online and are
non refundable. No stopovers are permitted. Tickets purchased through the
Guest Contact Centre cost $15 (USD) more. Flights due to commence March 1,
2009.
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/ V Australia
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
