Virgin Blue goes from red to white
The renaming of Virgin Blue as Virgin Australia will see the airline drop the bright red body paint from its aircraft in favour of white.
In Sydney to oversee the relaunch, Virgin Group’s Sir Richard Branson said the Virgin Australia brand represented a new chapter for the airline.
“I know it will shake up the Australian travel market on a larger scale than it did 10 years ago (when Virgin Blue launched),” he said.
The airline has successfully negotiated the renaming of its long haul offshoots V Australia and Pacific Blue, with both to be rebranded Virgin Australia.
A licensing agreement between Singapore Airlines and Sir Richard – the two shareholders of Virgin Atlantic – had given SIA the right of veto over the use of the Virgin name on airlines which fly internationally.
Virgin chief John Borghetti has made a number of changes to the airline since replacing Brett Godfrey. These include the launch of business class services and lounges.
Borghetti said the consolidation of the brand into one was a pivotal point in the airline’s Game Change Programme.
“From today, Virgin Australia will operate domestically in Australia. By the end of the year, our international product V Australia and Pacific Blue will also operate under the Virgin Australia name.â€
Borghetti also confirmed that Virgin Australia would re-launch its frequent flyer programme Velocity Rewards later this year,
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps