V AUSTRALIA, VIRGIN BLUE'S long-haul spin-off sister airline, will this December launch transpacific services between Sydney and Los Angeles.
Unveiled last July, V Australia hopes to offer "up to ten" weekly services to the US by the year-end, which would give it an estimated 12 per cent share of the Australia-US market.
The airline's debut will be in direct competition with Qantas' 17 flights a week, and the route is also served by United Airlines.
Crucially, V Australia has signed a deal with Northwest Airlines, which will allow passengers from Australia to through-ticket over Los Angeles to other US destinations.
Travellers from the US will be able to travel onwards within Australia with Virgin Blue and, if plans are realised, to New Zealand and the South Pacific islands with Pacific Blue.
V Australia will offer three classes of travel - International Business, International Premium Economy and International Economy - on Boeing 777 equipment.