America and Australia's Award-Winning Virgin-Branded Carriers Team Up

SAN FRANCISCO, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the award-winning California-based airline, and Virgin Blue's international airline, V Australia, have negotiated and signed an Australia-U.S. interline agreement offering seamless travel on the networks of each carrier across their United States (U.S.) and trans-Pacific routes.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090123/VIRGINAMERICALOGO)

The new interline arrangement is effective as of today for travel from June 8, 2009. Effective immediately, the agreement will allow connecting guests to purchase interline tickets for travel between the U.S. and Australia, via their travel agent or through V Australia's call center at: 13 82 87 (from the U.S.: 1-800-444-0260). As of June 8, 2009, travelers will also be able to book via the Web at: www.vaustralia.com.au. Both airlines will transfer baggage between connecting flights and to guests' final destinations.

"Virgin-branded airlines are famous around the world for offering travelers a better flying experience - with low fares and next generation amenities. We couldn't be more pleased to sign our first interline agreement with V Australia, an airline known for its innovative service," said Virgin America President and Chief Executive Officer David Cush.

Virgin Blue has received numerous awards in recent years, including Best National Airline three years running at the Australian National Travel Industry Awards. In the U.S. market, Virgin America was named "Best Domestic Airline" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2008 Readers' Choice Awards and "Best Domestic Airline" in the Travel + Leisure 2008 World's Best Awards.

The agreement will allow guests to enjoy a seamless "Virgin" experience as Virgin America and V Australia share Los Angeles World Airport's (LAX) newly redesigned Terminal 3. Guests arriving at LAX on V Australia international flights will come through the Tom Bradley International Terminal before being directed to Terminal 3 - a short walk to the Virgin America gates. Upon return from the U.S. to Australia, travelers' connections will be even more convenient - with the carriers' gates located adjacent to each other post-security.

The interline partnership offers a new choice for V Australia guests to connect to and from a wide range of Virgin America destinations, including Seattle (SEA), San Francisco (SFO), New York (JFK), Boston (BOS) and Washington D.C. (IAD).

"We are delighted to be formally partnering with Virgin America to offer great travel benefits not only from Australia to the U.S. on V Australia, but beyond Los Angeles across Virgin America's extensive and expanding route network," said Virgin Blue Chief Executive Brett Godfrey.

"The new agreement is a natural fit for both airlines as we share the Virgin commitment to exceptional customer service, quality and value for money. We may be newcomers to our respective markets, but we're keen to inspire an industry revolution to benefit travelers and invigorate trans-Pacific travel," added Godfrey.

V Australia offers a three class trans-Pacific travel option and Virgin America offers Main Cabin, Main Cabin Select and First Class seating on its domestic U.S. service.

As of June 8, 2009, guests will be eligible to earn Elevate frequent flier points for the Virgin America leg of their journey. By early next year, guests will be able to earn either Virgin America Elevate points or Velocity Points for their travel on Virgin America, V Australia or Virgin Blue flights. Eventually, guests will also be able to redeem their Elevate points or Velocity Points for flights on Virgin America, V Australia or Virgin Blue.

Interline electronic tickets for Virgin America and V Australia connecting flights can now be booked through all the major Global Distribution Systems (GDS). Travel agents should refer to either carrier's GDS reference pages for further booking instructions.

Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Orange County and Boston. The airline is one of the fastest growing of all time with 100 daily flights from: SFO to LAX, SFO to JFK, SFO to SAN, SFO to IAD, SFO to LAS, LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD, SFO to SEA, SEA to LAX, JFK to LAS, BOS to LAX, BOS to SFO and SFO to SNA.

EDITORS NOTE: Virgin America is a U.S. controlled and operated airline. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group is a minority share investor in Virgin America.

About Virgin America: Launched in August 2007, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel. Virgin America's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's modern International Terminal. The airline's new Airbus A320-family aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets near every seat for electronic gear. Virgin America offers in-flight internet service on every flight and hosts the largest in-flight entertainment library in the domestic skies via its touch-screen Red(TM) seatback system. In addition to a 25-film library including Oscar winners, foreign language films and Hollywood blockbusters, Red features live TV, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, 3,000 MP3s, music videos and more. In addition to a Main Cabin that offers custom-designed leather seats with a deeper, more comfortable pitch, Virgin America's First Class features international-grade amenities, including seats with 55 inches of pitch and lumbar massagers. The carrier's Main Cabin Select service offers 38-inches of seat pitch, complimentary food and cocktails, an all-access pass to Red(TM) and priority check-in and boarding. For more: www.virginamerica.com

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 airlines Pacific Blue www.flypacificblue.com Polynesian Blue. Together they operate a fleet comprising of 80 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.

SOURCE Virgin America

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.virginamerica.com
http://www.vaustralia.com.au