MEDIA RELEASE PR36815
Sir Richard Branson's New Australian Airline Announces its First Fares for South Africa
BRISBANE, Oct. 28 /Medianet International-AsiaNet/ --
Head "Down Under" From Zar4,699 One Way
From lions and leopards to koalas and kangaroos! Richard Branson's new Australian airline is gearing up for
March launch with special sale fares for South African travellers.
V Australia, Virgin Blue Airlines Group's boutique three class long haul airline, has officially opened its doors
for business in South Africa, with flights from ZAR4,699 one way in economy class, and ZAR7,999 for return
travel in economy class, including taxes and surcharges.
Fares go on sale at 9am today via travel agents and the airline's web site www.vaustralia.com for V
Australia's launch route of Johannesburg - Melbourne, with flights commencing 13 March 2010.
V Australia unveiled plans to commence services between South Africa and Australia in August this year,
together with a pledge from Virgin Group Chairman, Sir Richard Branson, for V Australia to bring fresh
competition, super sale fares and a high quality, friendly service style to the people of South Africa.
To celebrate, V Australia is offering special sale fares in each of its three cabins, with flights:
to Melbourne - Economy class - one way
ZAR4,699 (including taxes and surcharges)
to Melbourne - Economy class - return
ZAR7,999 (including taxes and surcharges)
to Melbourne - Premium Economy class return
ZAR15,799 (including taxes and surcharges)
to Melbourne - Business class - return
ZAR37,999 (including taxes and surcharges)
Domestic connections are also available from Melbourne to Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and numerous other
Australian cities and towns as well as to New Zealand. The award winning Virgin Blue Airlines group operates
frequent services to 28 Australian destinations and 13 international destinations in the South Pacific and
Southeast Asia.
V Australia will also provide the fastest and most convenient connection from South Africa to New Zealand
via Melbourne on V Australia's sister airline, Pacific Blue, with flights:
to Auckland - Economy class - return
ZAR8,999 (including taxes and surcharges)
to Auckland - Premium Economy class - return
ZAR17,599 (including taxes and surcharges)
to Auckland - Business class - return
ZAR39,999 (including taxes and surcharges)
These special sale fares are on sale from 28 October 2009 through to 11 November 2009 and for travel 13
March 2010 to 31 May 2010*.
Virgin Blue Airlines Group Chief Executive, Mr Brett Godfrey, said, "This is a significant step for our new
airline and we look forward to giving the South Africa-Australia route a bit of a shake-up in the same way we
have with the trans-Pacific route between the USA and Australia.
"V Australia will be the only airline operating direct flights from Johannesburg to Melbourne, twice weekly
initially, with a view to increasing the number of services subject to demand."
He added, "V Australia has been very well received by travellers in both the US and Australia since we
launched the airline earlier this year and we are already seeing encouraging signs from Australians wanting to
travel to Johannesburg, for the World Cup, business and leisure reasons."
V Australia's three class cabin includes International Business Class which offers convertible fully lie flat
beds, a sit down in-flight bar, award winning in-flight entertainment system "RED" and Row 5, V Australia's
special privacy "suite".
Earlier this month, V Australia's in-flight entertainment system and Business Class product were voted best
in their categories in two separate consumer driven awards surveys.
The airline operates brand new 777-300ER aircraft which feature 33 seats in Business Class, 40
International Club Seats in Premium Economy and 288 International Economy seats.
All cabins offer the award winning personal seat back entertainment system featuring the latest on-demand
in-flight entertainment including new release movies, TV, music, seat to seat "chat" and competition
connectivity.
V Australia also offers two in-flight bars, mood lighting including twilight and sunset, bathrooms with piped
music (including a ladies only bathroom) and some unique Australiana touches.
V Australia has appointed sister carrier Virgin Atlantic, to manage the day to day ground operations
requirements in Johannesburg.
V AUSTRALIA FLIGHT SCHEDULE
Johannesburg - Melbourne Schedule:
EFFECTIVE 13 MARCH 2010
Flight No VA 16
DEP 8.50pm
ARR 6.50pm + 1
Tuesdays and Saturdays
Melbourne - Johannesburg Schedule:
EFFECTIVE 13 MARCH 2010
Flight No VA 15
DEP 11.00am
ARR 5.15pm
Tuesdays and Saturdays
Johannesburg- Auckland Schedule: EFFECTIVE 13 MARCH 2010
Flight No VA 16/DJ166
DEP 8.50pm
ARR 12.20am + 1
Tuesdays and Saturdays
Auckland - Johannesburg Schedule: EFFECTIVE 13 MARCH 2010
Flight No DJ165/VA15
DEP 6.30am
ARR 5.15pm
Tuesdays and Saturdays
*Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights, at peak times. Flights are subject to regulatory
approval.
About V Australia and Virgin Blue:
V Australia www.vaustralia.com.au is a three class boutique style airline offering the acclaimed service for
which the Virgin Blue Group is renowned and a unique Australian style. On board the airline's brand new 361-
seat 777-300ER aircraft, configuration includes Business Class cabin with 33 fully lie-flat beds, Premium
Economy with 40 International Club seats and 288 International Economy seats. All cabins offer the Red,
state-of-the-art personal seat back entertainment, seat to seat 'chat' or competition connectivity. The airline
also has two in-flight bars, mood lighting including twilight and sunset, bathrooms with piped music including a
"ladies only" bathroom and other touches of Australiana from salt and pepper shakers to hidden wallpaper
murals. V Australia is a part of the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines. The Australian-based airline group also
includes Virgin Blue, second largest carrier in Australia www.virginblue.com.au and short haul international
modern Boeing 737-NG's, Boeing 777 and Embraer E-Jet aircraft flying to 28 Australian and 13 international
destinations in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.
For further information:
Heather Jeffery
General Manager Public Affairs
Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd
Ph: +61 7 3295 5898
Email: heather.jeffery@virginblue.com.au
Amanda Bolger
Manager, Public and Media Relations
Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd
Ph: +61 7 3295 3115
Email: amanda.bolger@virginblue.com.au
SOURCE: Virgin Blue Airlines Group
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