About Us

Virgin Australia History

2000

  • Virgin Blue’s first flight was DJ214 from Brisbane to Sydney on 31 August 2000.
  • The airline had one route, two aircraft, and a dedicated team of just 200 people.

2001

  • 14 new routes were launched, expanding to a true national domestic network.
  • We welcomed our millionth Guest onboard in June 2001.

2002

  • Nine new routes launched.
  • Patrick Corporation acquired a 50 per cent share in Virgin Blue Airlines.

2003

  • Launch of Virgin Blue’s holiday arm, Blue Holidays
  • Virgin Blue Holdings floated on the Australian Stock Exchange, December 2003.
  • Patrick Corporation invested a further $137m at the time of the Initial Public Offering.

2004

  • Launch of Pacific Blue, a New Zealand-based leisure-focussed international airline offering flights between Australia, New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu.

2005

  • Launch of Polynesian Blue in partnership with the Government of Samoa to launch. The first flight departed Auckland for Apia of 30 October.
  • Virgin Blue became first Australian airline to offer an online Web Check-In service.
  • Virgin Blue’s 50th aircraft went into service.
  • Launch of our loyalty program Velocity Rewards.
  • Patrick acquired a further 17 per cent of Virgin Blue for $346m, giving it a controlling 62.4 per cent stake in the company.

2006

  • Toll Holdings acquired Patrick Corporation and therefore took a controlling 63 per cent shareholding in Virgin Blue.

2007

  • Plans to establish a long haul international airline, V Australia, announced.
  • Virgin Blue launched Australia’s first government-certified airline Carbon Offset Program.
  • Pacific Blue launched domestic services in New Zealand.

2008

  • Launch of Virgin Blue’s Premium Economy product.
  • Toll divested its controlling stake in Virgin Blue Holdings, making Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group the largest single shareholder at that time, with 25.5 per cent.

2009

  • V Australia’s inaugural flight from Sydney to Los Angeles (February) and Brisbane to Los Angeles (April).
  • Virgin Blue lodged application with the US DoT and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to operate a Trans-Pacific joint venture with Delta Air Lines Inc. (The ACCC authorised the joint venture for five years on 10 December 2009. We await US DoT approval.)

2010

  • Appointment of John Borghetti as the new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, effective May 8, 2010.
  • Virgin Blue became the first Australian airline to offer remote check-in via your mobile, called “Check-Mate!”
  • Virgin Blue Group of Airlines and Air New Zealand seek regulatory approval to create a trans-Tasman alliance. (Final approval was received from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the New Zealand Ministry of Transport in December 2010.)
  • Virgin Blue awarded Best Low-Cost Airline (Australia/Pacific), in the 2010 Skytrax World Airline Awards - the fourth time Virgin Blue won the award, also winning it in 2002, 2004 and 2008.
  • New business strategy - the Game Change program – announced.
  • Comprehensive partnership with Etihad Airways announced, including plans for V Australia to commence flights between Sydney and Abu Dhabi in 2011.
  • Announced the introduction of a total of four Airbus A330-200 aircraft to the Virgin Blue fleet to operate Australian trans-continental routes. Two scheduled for delivery in May 2011 and two for early 2012.

2011

  • V Australia launches new services between Sydney and Abu Dhabi
  • Implementation of comprehensive partnership with Etihad and Trans-Tasman alliance with Air New Zealand.
  • New uniforms designed by Juli Grbac are launched
  • Luke Mangan inspired new menu options are revealed
  • A330 Coast to Coast Business Class is announced and goes on sale
  • Australia's first Lounge Premium Entry and Premium Valet at Sydney Airport opens
  • Virgin Australia is announced as the company’s new name
  • New lounges open in Melbourne and Brisbane
  • Virgin Australia Airlines and Delta Air Lines received final approval for their trans-Pacific alliance
  • Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines signed a landmark agreement to establish a long-term alliance
  • Virgin Australia launches new Velocity frequent flyer program
  • ATR-72 aircraft enter into service on key regional routes
  • Virgin Australia Business Class goes on sale across the domestic network
  • Our international airlines, Pacific Blue and V Australia, adopt Virgin Australia brand