V Australia to go trans-pacific.28th March 2008Virgin Blue's new international subsidiary V Australia will begin competing on the recently liberalised transpacific market from December with daily direct flights from Sydney to Los Angeles.
The airline will use a Boeing 777-300ER with a three-class cabin, with International Business, International Premium Economy and International Economy. Business class seats will be lie-flat to 77" in length; 40 premium economy seats will be 20" wide, giving a 9" recline, and offer a minimum 38" of legroom; economy will be in a 3x3x3 configuration, with 18.8" seat width and 32" legroom. Qantas has so far been the only Australian carrier permitted to fly to the US, but in February US and Australian governments agreed an 'open skies' deal which liberalised the transpacific market just as the equivalent agreement has done between the US and EU. V Australia's product will include full service features including complimentary meals and beverages, and it will also be the only airline operating transpacific to offer passengers the ability to send and receive emails and text messages using GPRS devices such as BlackBerrys and mobile phones. The Sydney-LA route was chosen after months of negotiations with 'a number of airports' on both sides of the pacific due to both being major gateway cities, with Virgin Blue offering a host of connections from Sydney and Northwest Airlines - which is partnering with V Australia - doing the same for the US market. The carrier plans to 'ramp up additional frequencies' on the route as it takes deliveries of more new 777s, and will announce two more destinations in the coming weeks. There is likely to be an evening departure from Sydney, allowing business travellers a full day's work in the Australian city before their flight. Economy fares will start from AUS$1,899 return and members of Virgin Blue's 'Velocity' loyalty programme will be able to 'earn and burn' miles on the international subsidiary. |
