V Australia Product Launch
Daily Virgin flights from Sydney to LA
Email Print Normal font Large font March 31, 2008 - 10:35AM
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The Virgin Blue Group has launched a premium, three class international airline, V Australia, with a daily direct route between Sydney and Los Angeles.
"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," Virgin Blue founder Sir Richard Branson said in Sydney on Monday.
"The launch of V Australia means the Virgin Group for the first time will offer a global network of airlines that allows travellers to fly worldwide on Virgin airlines that all share the same vision and commitment to safety, service, fun and flair."
The launch of V Australia will be the first time there has been a second Australian airline competing on the trans-Pacific route.
The launch comes after the Australian and US governments reached an open skies agreement, allowing Australian and US-owned airlines to fly freely between the two countries.
Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey said V Australia would offer three classes of travel - Business, Premium Economy and Economy.
"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," he said.
V Australia will include full service features such as complimentary meals and beverages and "generous" seating.
V Australia says it also will be the only airline on the trans-Pacific route to offer the latest in-flight technology in all cabins so passengers can send and receive SMS text messages and receive emails using GPRS devices such as BlackBerrys and mobile phones.
V Australia says it will set up its Australian operations in Sydney, at a total coast of $44 million.
"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," Mr Godfrey said.
"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."
The new Sydney-LA route will begin on December 15, 2008.
© 2008 AAP