Virgin Blue has released initial details of its long-haul airline that will serve west coast US destinations subject to regulatory approval.
Following a national naming competition that attracted almost 6,000 entries, the new carrier will be known as V Australia and will operate a fleet of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to the US starting in November next year. Australians were also asked to submit suggestions for the launch aircraft, which will be named "Didgeree Blue."
The news caps a frenetic week for Australian aviation with Qantas announcing a plethora of initiatives on Tuesday (24 July), including the launch of a premium economy cabin, its A380 interior layout and a revamped logo.
However, a spokesman for V Australia told ABTN that both developments emerging in the same week was ”pure coincidence,” although specific routes and aircraft configuration remain unclear.
”We have placed a firm order for six 777-300ER aircraft from Boeing and are leasing a seventh,” the spokesman said, adding: ”We have not released any details of the product or configuration yet ” we don”t want to show our hand too early to competitors.”
Virgin Blue received formal confirmation from Australia”s International Air Services Commission (IASC) to operate flights from its eastern seaboard to the US, although regulatory permission has still to be obtained from the American authorities.
The livery for V Australia trades heavily on the country”s flag with a red tail bearing stars of the Southern Cross and a silver fuselage, while a large red ”V” preceding a lower case ”australia” and also embossed with stars, appears nearer the nose.
V Australia will be the fourth carrier in the Virgin Blue Group of airlines, including domestic operator, Virgin Blue, New Zealand-based Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue, a joint venture with the Samoan government.
V Australia will seriously open up competition on the transpacific routes between Australia and the west coast of the United States. Currently the Sydney ” Los Angeles route is flown by Qantas and United Airlines (UA) with both American Airlines and Air New Zealand having a code share with UA. All use Boeing 747s.
Virgin Blue Airlines chief executive, Brett Godfrey, said: ”This is the first time in decades Australia has a start-up long haul international airline and we look forward to bringing competitive air fares and a new style of service to the transpacific market."