V Australia

Naming competition

The name of Virgin Blue's international airline was decided in the same way that Virgin Blue's own name was found, with a public naming competition conducted in early June 2007.

On 25 June 2007, Virgin Blue released the 8 finalists of the naming competition. They were:

Australia Blue and Virgin Pacific were early favourites to win the competition, despite a problem with the latter, as Singapore Airlines (through its stake in Virgin Atlantic) has control over the use of the 'Virgin' name on International air routes, and had not, in the past, allowed its use (see Pacific Blue Airlines.)

On 25 July 2007, Virgin Blue announced that V Australia would be the name of the new carrier, with the runner up of the competition, Didgeree Blue, to be the name of the airline's first plane.

Creation

In early 2006, Virgin Blue announced its intention to operate up to seven flights a week to the U.S. through either Los Angeles International Airport or San Francisco International Airport, saying that the route was needed to make the airline as profitable as possible. The airline was given permission for ten flights a week to the U.S. by Australian regulators on 24 July 2007. The plans were approved by US regulators on 15 February 2008, due to the signing of an open skies agreement between Australia and the US. V Australia has since been allowed unlimited capacity between Australia and the U.S. by the Australian International Air Services Commission.

Since then, V Australia applied to the United States Department of Transportation to operate services to and from Sydney Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York City). Permission from the United States Department of Transportation was given after the signing of the open skies agreement.

First aircraft

V Australia placed orders with Boeing to purchase six Boeing 777-300ER aircraft for use on international routes. Pending delivery of the six aircraft, V Australia leased its first Boeing 777-300ER from the International Lease Finance Corporation; named Didgeree Blue, it was delivered to V Australia in Seattle at Boeing's headquarters on 26 January 2009. On 9 February Didgeree Blue touched down at Sydney Kingsford-Smith Airport after flying from Seattle via Los Angeles where it was launched to the U. S. press by Sir Richard Branson and Australian celebrities Julian McMahon and Holly Valance. In 2010 two of the Boeing 777 orders were converted to options for delivery in 2012.

V Australia commenced passenger services on 27 February 2009. On 17 August 2009, V Australia announced that it would expand on its Brisbane/Sydney to Los Angeles routes. It was announced that the airline would fly from Melbourne to Johannesburg, Los Angeles and Phuket, Thailand; as well as Brisbane to Phuket. V Australia also announced on 17 August 2009 that it had applied to fly between Australia and Fiji. V Australia also considered routes to China, according to an interview with Sir Richard Branson.

On 26 August 2010 it was announced that due the unprofitability of some routes, V Australia would cease its 777-300ER services to Johannesburg and Phuket. On 24 February 2011, the aircraft were redeployed on services between Sydney and Abu Dhabi to coincide with the partnership between V Australia and Etihad Airways.

Destinations

V Australia had served the following destinations prior to being absorbed into Virgin Australia in December 2011.

Terminated destinations

Before V Australia was absorbed into Virgin Australia, it previously served Johannesburg, Phuket and Nadi.

Codeshare & interline agreements

V Australia had interline agreements with Alaska Airlines to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport; Delta Air Lines; and Horizon Air to Portland International Airport. It was announced on 26 August 2010 that V Australia had signed a codeshare and interline agreement with Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airlines, giving Virgin passengers access to 65 destinations in Europe and the Middle East.

Within Virgin-branded airlines V Australia offered codeshare services with Virgin Australia throughout its network in Oceania, and to and from New Zealand with Pacific Blue Airlines. V Australia also had an interline agreement with Virgin America to Boston, Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York City, Seattle and Washington DC. Virgin America and V Australia shared terminal facilities at Los Angeles International Airport's Terminal 3; inbound V Australia flights used to arrive at the Tom Bradley International Terminal, as of November 2011 inbound flights arrive at Terminal 5. All V Australia connections were through Los Angeles International Airport. U.S. interline passengers were transferred onto V Australia to a destination within Australia.

Fleet

In September 2011, the V Australia fleet consisted of the following aircraft:

Cabin classes

V Australia offered a 3-class service on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft: International Business Class, International Premium Economy Class and International Economy Class. All three classes featured ambient Mood Lighting relative to the time of day or night, similar to that of sister airline Virgin America.

International Business Class International Business class had a 2-3-2 configuration with fully horizontal flat beds that are 188 cm (6'2") long and seat pitch of 77". There was a personal workstation with laptop power, USB slot and reading light. Business Class In-Flight entertainment had a 12.1" touchscreen PTV with AVOD on every seat.

International Premium Economy Class Premium Economy class had a 2-4-2 configuration. Premium Economy had all-leather seats with a 38" seat pitch, 20" seat width and a 9" seat recline. The seats were equipped with adjustable headrests and footrests. There was a personal workstation with laptop power, USB slot and reading light. Premium Economy class In-Flight entertainment had a 10.6" touchscreen PTV with AVOD on every seat.

International Economy Class International Economy class had a 3-3-3 configuration. Economy seats had a 32" seat pitch, 18.8" seat width and seat recline of up to 6". USB slots were available to power laptops and other personal devices (MP3 Players etc.). Economy class In-Flight entertainment had a 9" touchscreen PTV with AVOD on every seat.

In-flight entertainment

V Australia's In-Flight entertainment RED was based on the Panasonic eX2 system. RED was fully touch-screen and handset controlled and there was no fee for use. It featured an extensive video on demand library that included new release film, TV series and TV programmes. Destination guides were also available. Other functions available through RED included music on demand (approx 200+ CD library) and video games. Seat-to-seat chat was available as well as in flight map and flight information.

Lounge access

Lounge access was available when flying V Australia for International Business Class passengers and Velocity Gold members only. Velocity Gold allowed access regardless of class of travel.

Both V Australia Business Class and Premium Economy Class passengers connecting to V Australia on Virgin Australia flights domestically within Australia were entitled to access Virgin Australia's domestic lounges on the day of travel.

At the time services ceased, V Australia used Air New Zealand's Koru Lounge in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane; Alaska Airlines' Board Room lounge in Los Angeles (Terminal 3) and Etihad Airways' Lounge in Abu Dhabi.