47 Facts About Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia, the trading name of Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd, is an Australian-based airline.

On 21 April 2020, Virgin Australia Holdings went into voluntary administration, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and financial troubles in the years leading up to the pandemic.

The Virgin Blue name was the result of an open competition; it was a play on the predominantly red livery and the Australian slang tradition of calling a red-headed male 'Blue' or 'Bluey'.

Ansett's failure allowed Virgin to grow rapidly to become Australia's second domestic carrier, rather than staying just a cut-price alternative to the established players.

Virgin Group's holding in Virgin Australia was later reduced, initially via a sale of a half interest to Australian logistics conglomerate Patrick Corporation, and later by a public float.

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At its inception in 2000, Virgin Australia Blue did not have interline or marketing alliances with other airlines.

However, after the collapse of its domestic competitor Ansett Virgin Australia, it began a codeshare agreement with United Airlines.

In 2006, in an effort to compete with Qantas, Virgin Australia Blue started exploring these relationships, forming frequent flyer agreements with Emirates, Hawaiian Airlines and Malaysia Airlines.

In December 2010, Virgin Australia Blue entered into alliances with Etihad Airways and Air New Zealand for code-sharing, reciprocal lounge and frequent flyer access and other co-operational projects.

In early 2006, Virgin Australia Blue announced its intention to operate up to seven flights a week to the US through either Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Pacific Blue and V Australia were both folded into the new Virgin Australia brand, following an agreement with former Virgin Atlantic shareholder Singapore Airlines, which ever since the establishment of Virgin Blue in 2000 had previously prohibited use of the Virgin brand outside Australia.

Early in 2011 it was announced that Virgin Australia Blue had signed a ten-year deal with Perth-based regional airline Skywest Airlines, for Skywest to operate up to 18 ATR-72 turboprop aircraft leased by Virgin Australia, in order to better compete in east coast regional markets served by QantasLink and Regional Express Airlines.

On 31 March 2020, Virgin Australia confirmed it had asked the Federal Government for a $1.

Qantas responded by noting its revenue was three times higher than Virgin Australia's, meaning that if Virgin Australia was bailed-out they should be given a $4.

Virgin Australia's began operating later that month to Hong Kong twice weekly and once weekly to Los Angeles.

On 14 April 2020 Virgin Australia Holdings was granted a trading halt on the Australian Securities Exchange pending a company announcement or to start trading again on 16 April 2020.

On 21 April 2020, Virgin Australia confirmed it had gone into voluntary administration, citing its inability to continue operations without a Federal Government bailout.

On 15 December 2021, Virgin Australia and United Airlines announced a new partnership beginning in April 2022.

On 11 April 2013, Virgin Australia Holdings completed its acquisition of regional airline Skywest Airlines.

Since its inception, Virgin Australia Blue had sponsored many sporting teams in a bid to promote its brand.

In February 2007, Virgin Australia Blue signed a two-year sponsorship deal with NRL team the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Virgin Australia is the official sponsor of the National Basketball League, and the title sponsor of NBL team the Brisbane Bullets.

Virgin Australia Blue gained extra revenue by painting two aircraft as "flying billboards".

In 2007, Virgin Australia Blue introduced an advertising campaign with the slogan "Get What You Want", named after the song by Queensland band Operator Please that featured in its TV advertisements.

In 2009, Virgin Australia Blue introduced an all new advertising campaign entitled "Now there's an idea".

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Virgin Australia became a sponsor of the newest AFL clubs, the Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney Giants, in 2011 and 2014 respectively.

Virgin Australia appear as a sponsor on the guernseys of the Carlton Football Club since June 2017 initially due to the loss of a sponsor of the club, but Carlton announced in August 2017 that the partnership will be extended until the end of the 2022 AFL season.

Virgin Australia-owned Boeing 737s are indicated by the Boeing customer code FE in the model suffix.

In November 2006, Virgin Australia Blue announced plans to purchase 11 Embraer 190 and 3 Embraer 170 aircraft with options for six more E-jets, which later became orders for an additional three E170s and three E190s.

Virgin Australia Blue received its first Embraer 170 in early September 2007 at a special ceremony at the Embraer plant in Sao Jose dos Campos.

On 24 October 2007, Virgin Australia announced the introduction of premium economy on all domestic flights.

Virgin Australia began long haul international operations as V Australia, commencing its first passenger flight operations on 27 February 2009.

On 10 January 2011, Virgin Blue entered a 10-year strategic alliance with Perth-based Skywest Airlines, to operate up to 18 new Virgin-branded turboprop aircraft from mid-2011.

On 25 January 2012, Virgin Australia announced additional services between Brisbane, Proserpine, Rockhampton and Cairns.

On 26 February 2013, Virgin Australia announced it would start flights between Brisbane and Bundaberg on 4 May 2013.

In July 2012, Virgin Australia announced an order for 23 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with deliveries planned to be between 2019 and 2021.

In December 2020, Virgin Australia cancelled orders for the MAX 8 and revised its order to just 25 MAX 10s with the planned delivery date deferred to mid-2023.

Virgin Australia Cargo was launched in July 2015 after the airline's contract to carry freight on behalf of Toll expired and was not renewed.

Virgin Australia offers a business class service on most of its jet aircraft.

Virgin Australia offered business class passengers a "sophisticated" gourmet menu created by Australian chef Luke Mangan.

In December 2006, Virgin Australia announced a partnership between Australian cable television providers Foxtel and Austar, to introduce a "Live2Air" service on most flights by mid-2007.

In December 2012, Virgin Australia introduced an in-flight Wi-Fi system to provide music, movies and TV shows to tablets, smartphones, laptops and similar devices.

In 2018, Virgin Australia began upgrading the in-flight Wi-Fi system in order to offer wireless internet access.

Many of these facilities became available when Virgin Australia relocated into the former Ansett terminals across the country, with the defunct Golden Wing club lounges left behind being used as Blue Room lounges, complete with furnishings.

In 2006, Virgin Australia revamped the lounge facilities and re-launched the product as The Lounge, which offered all-inclusive facilities on a membership fee or casual fee basis.

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Virgin Australia launched its frequent-flyer program Velocity Rewards in 2005, with partner National Australia Bank offering a companion credit card.

Velocity was the first frequent flyer program in Virgin Australia to offer "any seat, any time" reward flight availability.