V Australia Takes Delivery of its First 777 Aircraft
SEATTLE, Feb. 6/Medianet International-AsiaNet/ --
- Australia's New International Airline Takes off this Month
Australia’s newest international airline, V Australia, has taken delivery today
of the first of seven brand new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft at a formal handover
ceremony at the Boeing factory in Seattle.
Virgin Blue co-founder and Virgin Group Chairman, Sir Richard Branson, flew in to
witness the historic handover which was made to 15 V Australia and Virgin Blue
team members who won a competition to fly to Seattle and collect the plane with
Virgin Blue Group Chief Executive and co-founder, Brett Godfrey, and V Australia
Executive General Manager, Scott Swift.
The V Australia and Virgin Blue team member prize winners are considered VIPs in
the delivery team, participating in a trip which includes a behind-the-scenes
tour of the Boeing wide-body factory at Everett where the V Australia aircraft
was manufactured, celebrations around the delivery and the opportunity to be
among the first in the world to fly on V Australia on board the private ferry
flight back to Australia.
The 360-seat aircraft named "Didgeree Blue" with the blessing of the Yolgnu
people from the Northern Territory Australia, includes in-flight bars, state-of-
the-art entertainment, mood lighting and offers Business, Premium International
and International Economy classes.
It was officially delivered to the airline team who opened the aircraft doors to
showcase the designer interior to team members; media and a contingent of USA-
based Australian actors.
Present at the ceremony were Aussie-born celebrities; Julian McMahon, Jason
Clarke, Holly Valance and Kimberley Joseph; who brought a touch of ‘Hollywood’ to
the event and lent their support to Australia's newest international airline by
flying in from LA to join the V Australia team.
In the midst of Seattle’s chilly winter temperatures, the Boeing Aircraft
company's hangar was transformed into a surprise Aussie beach party for the team
and guests, with both Boeing and V Australia senior executives donning board
shorts and zinc cream against a backdrop of palm trees, deck chairs, tropical
fruit drinks and beach tunes, to bring a touch of informal Australian inspiration
to the aircraft delivery event.
V Australia's first Boeing 777-300ER will touch down on Australian soil for the
first time next Monday, 9 February, in Sydney.
En-route it will make a stopover in Los Angeles where 500 of LA’s top industry
and corporate guests will have the opportunity to see the aircraft at an
Australian-themed event at Los Angeles World Airport.
On arrival in Australia, after a low flyover of Sydney, V Australia will host an
“open house” inspection of the aircraft for 400 guests and every available member
of V Australia's more than 300 team who will travel to Sydney to welcome their
first aircraft. Representatives from the Yolgnu people, the traditional keepers
of the Yirdaki (Didgeridoo) will travel all the way from the “top end” to Sydney
to give a traditional welcome to “Didgeree Blue” when it arrives into Australia
for the very first time.
"Didgeree Blue" will then be put to work carrying out proving flights to gain
final operating approvals from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, for V
Australia’s Air Operators Certificate (AOC).
Speaking from Seattle, Sir Richard Branson said V Australia will follow in the
footsteps of its parent airline, Virgin Blue in true Virgin tradition, by
providing much needed competition, affordable air fares for consumers and a fresh
choice of airline.
“This new airline and indeed, the actual aircraft itself, boasts a range of
product features that are second to none, including the two in-flight ’V Bars’. I
am confident that like all Virgin airlines worldwide, V Australia, its people,
its product, its prices and in particular, its personality, will prove to be a
great stimulus for travel and tourism when the airline takes off.
"I am delighted to be here in Seattle to witness the handover of V Australia’s
first aircraft and look forward to being on the inaugural flight from Sydney to
Los Angeles later this month.”
Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “The delivery of this aircraft
has been a much anticipated moment for the entire V Australia team as it
represents a step towards our goal to launch a brand new contemporary
international airline for Australia.”
"The combination of our Virgin service and the outstanding features and comfort
levels on board the 777 will be a winner on the trans-Pacific route and we cannot
wait to get the first aircraft home and into commercial service.
"This is the first Australian-owned Boeing 777-300ER and the first aircraft of
its type to operate on the trans-Pacific route. We’re especially pleased about
that and to be flying the most fuel efficient aircraft in its class."
V Australia’s inaugural flight is scheduled to take off from Sydney, Australia to
Los Angeles, USA on Friday 27 February 2009, building to daily flights by 20
March, 2009. Brisbane-Los Angeles flights start from 8 April, 2009.
winning Guest Contact Centre on 1-800-444-0260 or contact your preferred travel
agent.
award winning Guest Contact Centre on 13 8287 or contact your preferred travel
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Issued by:
Heather Jeffery
General Manager, Public Affairs
Virgin Blue Group
Ph: +61 412 922 122
heather.jeffery@virginblue.com.au
Amanda Bolger
Manager Public & Media Relations
Virgin Blue Group
Ph: +61 402 137 071
amanda.bolger@virginblue.com.au
Colin Lippiatt
Manager Public Affairs
Virgin Blue Group
Ph: +61 423 028 046
colin.lippiatt@virginblue.com.au
Source: Virgin Blue Airlines
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