The Brazilian look takes off for Virgin Blue
Virgin Blue has announced that it will today commence flights with its new executive style Embraer “E-Jet” aircraft, launching the jet in to passenger services for the first time.
The inaugural E-Jet flight will depart Brisbane at 6.45am and arrive in Cairns at 9.05am. The flight will feature typical Virgin Blue launch flight activities including a limited edition t-shirt give-away, complimentary champagne, samba competition and associated festivities, led by Virgin Blue Chief Operations Officer, Andrew David.
Virgin Blue Airlines has 20 of the Brazilian manufactured aircraft on order, which will arrive in Australia over the next 18 months.
Chief Executive Brett Godfrey, said, “This is a significant step for Virgin Blue being the first day in our seven year history we have operated a second aircraft type.” “We conducted extensive research into this aircraft and are confident it is the ideal jet to suit Australia, particularly on regional air routes.”
“The E-Jets will have a dual role in the airline’s fleet and will be put into operation to boost frequency on existing Virgin Blue services as well as open up new regional markets.”
Virgin Blue’s Embraer 170 has 78 seat capacity, while the Embraer 190 has 104 seats compared to the Boeing 737-700’s 144 seats and the 737-800’s 180 seats.
Virgin Blue has spent the past 12 months reviewing up to 21 potential new destinations across Australia, with the airline recently announcing it would re-enter the Canberra-Sydney route with eight direct daily flights using the new E-Jets.
Virgin Blue will announce its first new regional ports before the end of the year.
Today’s Brisbane-Cairns flight will be the first time Guests will have the opportunity to experience the E-Jet, which includes an executive interior fit-out, two-by two seating, with no middle seats and a quiet, smooth and fast ride.
Brett Godfrey added, “We are very pleased to introduce this aircraft in to our fleet and to Australia, the E-Jet will help cement Virgin Blue’s position as an innovator and a market leader and will allow us to bring competition, affordable fares and a new level of comfort to hundreds of thousands more travellers.”
Multi award winning airline Virgin Blue and international carriers Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue currently operate a fleet of 55 modern Boeing 737 and Embraer E-Jet aircraft flying to 22 Australian and eight international destinations including New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.
Virgin Blue was the first airline in the world to launch a Government-certified carbon offset program, where Guests can offset the carbon emissions from their flights and Virgin Blue Group has also announced plans to launch Australia’s newest international airline, V Australia, set to commence flights between Australia and the USA from late 2008, subject to regulatory approvals.
A report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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