Book Cheap Flights with Virgin Blue

Virgin Blue launched only seven years ago, is now Australia’s second biggest airline. After its launch on August 3, 2000 Virgin Blue operated two aircrafts shuttling passengers between Brisbane and Sydney. It was founded by Virgin Group owned by businessman Richard Branson. Today under Toll Holdings, the airline operates in all major Australian Cities and even travels to some holiday destinations. Virgin Blue is based in Brisbane, Queensland.

Virgin Blue was launched soon after the Ansett Australia failed in September 2001. Because of Ansett’s failure, there had been a void in the domestic air travel market that was filled by Virgin Blue. A few years after Ansett closed, Virgin Blue controlled about 60% of the domestic air travel market. Virgin Blue is a low-fare airline that is able to offer reasonable rates by implementing cost-cutting measures such as eliminating in-flight meals.

In 2005, Patrick Corporation, an Australian Logistics conglomerate, took control of 62% of the company. After Toll Holdings acquired Patrick Corporation in 2006, it became the majority owner of Virgin Blue. Virgin Group controls 25% share of the company.

In 2003, Virgin Blue launched flights from Australia to New Zealand through its wholly owned subsidiary Pacific Blue. Pacific Blue is now strongly competing with Air New Zealand and Qantas in the trans-Tasman routes.

In 2006, Virgin Blue started launching various frequent flyer agreements with the following airlines: United Airlines, Emirates, Hawaiian Airlines, and Malaysian Airlines. These programs were meant to increase the company’s competitiveness over Qantas which has co-founded Oneworld Alliance.

Virgin Blue is in the process of extending its services to the US and Japan. It has already filed an application with the United States Department of Transportation to operate from the Kingsford Smith International Airport to the following US airports: Los Angeles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, McCarran International Airport, and the New York JFK International Airport. This is in a bid to increase the company’s profitability. If Virgin Blue’s plan pushes through, the airline will be operating 7 flights a week to the United States.

In 2006 Virgin Blue launched The Lounge, a facility that provides food and refreshments, newspapers, computers, and internet access to Virgin Blue travelers. There are Lounges in the airports in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The facility can be used under an all-inclusive membership fee or under a one-time casual basis. The Lounge is designed to attract business travelers to travel with Virgin Blue. Soon Virgin Blue will open The Lounge at the Canberra airport.

The Airline has also introduced the Live2Air service which will be available in all its flight before the end of the year. Live2Air is a service that will allow passengers access to multiple channels via the satellite TVs fitted onto the seats. The satellite TV may be accessed by swiping valid credit cards in the in-seat credit card facility. This service is being made available to clients under the partnership that Virgin Blue has forged with Foxtel and Austar, cable TV providers from Australia.