[Anthony T]

From Virgin Blue

V Australia Takes Delivery of its First 777 Aircraft

- 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.


For V Australia bookings ex America visit www.vaustralia.com, phone our award winning Guest Contact Centre on 1-800-444-0260 or contact your preferred travel agent.


For V Australia bookings ex Australia visit www.vaustralia.com, au, phone our award winning Guest Contact Centre on 13 8287 or contact your preferred travel agent. Flights are subject to regulatory approval.

And the LAX delivery event program

TIME: 2 pm check-in for 3 pm arrival of the V Australia aircraft

DATE: Friday, February 6, 2009

WHERE: Flight Path Learning Center and Museum
6661 West Imperial Highway
Los Angeles International Airport

WHO: -- Sir Richard Branson, co-Founder Virgin Blue, Chairman
Virgin Group
-- Office of the Mayor
-- Brett Godfrey, Chief Executive Officer Virgin Blue Group
-- Scott Swift, Executive General Manager V Australia
-- The V Australia team

VISUALS: 1. First-ever arrival of aircraft with V Australia livery
2. Principals walk on aircraft wing to pop champagne
bottles
3. Red carpet welcome including principals and
entertainment industry celebrities
4. Remarks by principals
5. Aircraft interior tour with principals
6. Brief period for one-on-one interviews with principals

MEDIA PARKING: Pre-registered TV and radio media with broadcast-equipped
vehicles may park adjacent to Flight Path Learning Center.
ALL other pre-registered media will be issued an event
parking pass that will allow them to park in a specially
designated nearby parking lot. Event shuttle van will
depart the parking lot and Flight Path Learning Center at
15-minute intervals beginning 1:30 p.m., with the last van
departing Flight Path at 7 p.m.


RSVP is essential for security purposes: To confirm your attendance, please RSVP to LAX Public Relations, by 4 pm Thursday, February 5 by e-mail to dbaker2@lawa.org or call (424) 646-5260. For security purposes we require your full name AND date of birth.