Virgin Blue

Virgin Blue - Richard Branson’s' low-cost Australian airline 

Virgin Blue is Australia’s' second largest airline, and was launched by Virgin Atlantic founder Richard Branson as the first in the country to offer low-cost fares. The airline offers cheap flights throughout Australia, and is run on the same basis no-frills basis as Southwest and Ryanair. Virgin Blues' subsidiary, Pacific Blue, also offers an international service with flights from Australia to New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands.  

 

Virgin Blue - Now the country’s' second largest airline 

Founded in August 2000, Virgin Blue began life with just 2 aircraft offering flights between Brisbane and Sydney. The airline capitalised on the failure of the country’s' major airline, Ansett, in 2001, and in turn Virgin Blue became Australia’s' second domestic carrier. The Virgin Group sold some of the company to the conglomerate Patrick Corporation, and after a hostile takeover, Patrick gained control holding 62% of the company, with Virgin keeping 25%. In May 2006, Patrick was acquired by Toll Holdings, who consequently became the majority shareholder of Virgin Blue.

 

Virgin Blue - Watch live TV on flights, offset carbon emissions when booking 

Virgin Blue has been profitable since its launch, and has operating revenue of 1.8 billion dollars. The airline began operating with just one kind of aircraft, the Boeing 737. Now Virgin Blue runs a fleet which not only includes 53 Boeing 737-700 and 800s, but 20 Embraer E-jets as well, with the total fleet having an average age of 3.9 years. As well as having a young and fuel-efficient fleet, the airline also gives passengers the chance to offset the carbon emissions related to their flights either at time of booking, or anytime after on their website. Virgin Blue also joined forces with FOXTEL to launch 'live2air' technology, enabling passengers to watch live TV from their seats.