V Australia, Virgin Blue’s three-class long-haul international airline, will turn its focus to the state of Victoria this week, with the launch of two new international routes direct from Melbourne.

The first flight from Melbourne, full of inaugural Guests including VIP celebrities, corporate guests and paying passengers, will be officially farewelled by the Hon. Tim Holding, Minister for Tourism, departs Melbourne on the morning of December 1.

It will herald V Australia’s first foray into Victoria with the boutique carrier beginning non-stop services from Melbourne to the United States of America (Los Angeles) as well as Thailand (Phuket).

Travellers will enjoy V Australia’s Boeing 777-300 aircraft, which boasts a three class cabin including 33 fully lie-flat beds in International Business, 40 International Club seats in Premium Economy and 288 Economy seats. V Australia will provide a competitive and affordable non-stop flying option for Victorians to fly to the US and V Australia will also be the only airline to offer a convenient direct service from Melbourne to the popular Thailand playground of Phuket.

The new services are also expected to provide economic and tourism benefits for the state, with December 1’s first flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne set to land at 7am with a full load of passengers, including LA based, Australian actress Melissa George.

Virgin Blue CEO, Brett Godfrey, said: “We are excited to be launching not just one, but two new international routes from Melbourne within a few days of each other and just in time for the peak holiday season. We identified both the US and Thailand as two highly desirable holiday destinations, with the US also a key business route for Victorians. Our aim is to stimulate both leisure and business traffic, provide incentives via affordable and high quality, comfortable flying options and open up opportunities for US based companies to do more business in Victoria and vice versa.

To celebrate the new route, V Australia has announced a $689* one-way “High Tail It To Hollywood” launch fare on sale from now until midnight 15 December 2009, for travel on direct flights between Melbourne and Los Angeles from 1 February to 31 Mar 2010.

Lead-in fares start from $1650* return on the net for International Economy, $3620* for Premium Economy and $9875* for all the bells and whistles in V Australia’s award-winning International Business Class Cabin. All fares are fully inclusive of taxes and surcharges with the direct flights departing from Melbourne to Los Angeles every Tuesday and Saturday.

Flights to Phuket take off this Thursday 3 December with special “Tuk Tuk Off to Phuket” fares on sale for $399* one-way from now until midnight 7 December 2009, for travel on direct flights between Melbourne and Phuket from 3 December - 17 December 2009 and 15 January - 31 May 2010.

Lead-in fares start from $499* one-way on the net for International Economy, $899* for Premium Economy and $1499* for International Business Class Cabin. All fares are fully inclusive of taxes and surcharges with the direct flights departing from Melbourne to Phuket every Thursday and returning Friday’s, with return connections available via Brisbane or Perth.

Godfrey, said, while V Australia is less than 12 months old, "it has already been recognised globally for its award winning service, friendly crew, unique product offering and has been credited for bringing down fares, in particular on the trans-Pacific route".

"We are very proud of that in one of the most turbulent times in aviation.

“Melbourne and Victoria are an important part of our long term growth plan for V Australia and this is clearly demonstrated in the fact that V Australia’s next launch flight will be the direct Melbourne-Johannesburg services scheduled for take-off in March next year. Melbourne will be the only city to have direct flights to all three
V Australia international destinations.”

Melbourne – Los Angeles Effective 1 December 2009 (subject to change)

FLIGHT NO	DEP	ARR	MON	TUE	WED	THR	FRI	SAT	SUN
VA 11	11.45 am	7.15 am		Q				Q

Los Angeles –Melbourne Effective 29 November 2009 (subject to change)

FLIGHT NO	DEP	ARR	MON	TUE	WED	THR	FRI	SAT	SUN
VA 12	10.10pm	8.55am +2		Q					Q

Melbourne – Phuket Effective 3 December 2009 (subject to change)

FLIGHT NO	DEP	ARR	MON	TUE	WED	THR	FRI	SAT	SUN
VA 19	12.00pm	4.40pm				Q

Phuket – Melbourne Effective 3 December 2009 (subject to change)

LIGHT N0	DEP	ARR	MON	TUE	WED	THR	FRI	SAT	SUN
VA 20	6.50pm	7.25am +1					Q