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Undid revision 408937418 by Bidgee (talk) Fair go, Bidgee, we ARE reliable and I _did_ include another source (ABC News) - why the vendetta?
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Virgin Blue signed a ten-year deal with regional airline [[Skywest Airlines]] to operate 18 turboprop aircraft, targeting the dominance of [[Qantas]] and its subsidiaries on the [[fly-in fly-out]] mining transport market.<ref>{{cite news|title=Virgin Blue forms alliance with Skywest|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/virgin-blue-forms-alliance-with-skywest-20110110-19kx5.html|accessdate=20 January 2011|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=10 January 2011|agency=Australian Associated Press}}</ref>
Virgin Blue signed a ten-year deal with regional airline [[Skywest Airlines]] to operate 18 turboprop aircraft, targeting the dominance of [[Qantas]] and its subsidiaries on the [[fly-in fly-out]] mining transport market. <ref>{{cite web|title =Skywest flying regional routes for Virgin Blue|work =Australian Business Traveller|publisher =Business Travel Media Pty Ltd|date = 2011-01-10|url =http://www.ausbt.com.au/skywest-flying-regional-routes-for-virgin-blue|accessdate = 2010-12-10}}</ref>


On 20 January 2011, Air New Zealand announced it would take a shareholding stake of between 10% and 14.99% in Virgin Blue. Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe describes the investment "as part of Air New Zealand's strategy to develop scale and reach in this region" but says the airline has no intention of making a full takeover of Virgin Blue.<ref>{{cite web | title =Air NZ buys up stake in Virgin Blue | work=ABC News | publisher =Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 20 January 2011 | url =http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/20/3117644.htm?section=world | accessdate = 20 January 2011}}</ref>
On 20 January 2011, Air New Zealand announced it would take a shareholding stake of between 10% and 14.99% in Virgin Blue. Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe describes the investment "as part of Air New Zealand's strategy to develop scale and reach in this region" but says the airline has no intention of making a full takeover of Virgin Blue.<ref>{{cite web
| title =Air New Zealand buys into Virgin Blue
| work =Australian Business Traveller
| publisher =Business Travel Media Pty Ltd
| date = 2011-01-20
| url =http://www.ausbt.com.au/air-new-zealand-buys-into-virgin-blue
| accessdate = 2011-01-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| title =Air NZ buys up stake in Virgin Blue
| publisher =ABC
| date = 2011-01-20
| url =http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/20/3117644.htm?section=world
| accessdate = 2011-01-20}}</ref>


==Corporate affairs and identity==
==Corporate affairs and identity==

Revision as of 01:27, 21 January 2011

For the holding company that owns Virgin Blue, see Virgin Blue Holdings Limited.
Not to be confused with Tracy Chevalier's novel The Virgin Blue.
Virgin Blue
IATA ICAO Callsign
DJ VOZ VIRGIN N1
Founded2000
HubsBrisbane Airport
Secondary hubs
Focus cities
Frequent-flyer programVelocity Rewards
Fleet size72(+41)
Destinations31
Parent companyVirgin Blue Holdings Limited
HeadquartersBowen Hills, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Key people
Websitewww.virginblue.com.au

Virgin Blue is Australia's second-largest airline[1] as well as the largest by fleet size to utilise the Virgin brand. The airline serves 28 cities in Australia, with Brisbane Airport as its hub, using a fleet of 75 narrow-body Boeings and Embraers. It was founded by British businessman Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and is based in Bowen Hills, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

History

Virgin Blue's 50th Boeing 737 Virgin-ia Blue is the only blue aircraft in the fleet.

Virgin Blue was launched on 31 August 2000,[2] with two Boeing 737-400 aircraft leased from then-sister airline Virgin Express. Initially offering seven return flights a day between Brisbane and Sydney, this has since been expanded to cover all major Australian cities and many holiday destinations.

The timing of Virgin Blue's entry into the Australian market was fortunate as it was able to fill the vacuum created by the failure of Ansett Australia in September 2001. Ansett's failure allowed Virgin Blue to grow rapidly to become Australia's second domestic carrier, rather than just a cut-price alternative to the established players. It also gave them access to terminal space without which growth would have been significantly limited. Delays in negotiating access to the former Ansett terminal at Sydney Airport however forced Virgin Blue to use their original terminal there longer than was needed. As the airline grew, it acquired new equipment, enabling it to phase-out its older 737-400s in favour of 737-700 and -800 series aircraft with modern glass cockpits, winglets and greater fuel efficiency.

Virgin Group's holding in Virgin Blue has since been reduced, initially via a sale of a half interest to Australian logistics conglomerate Patrick Corporation, and later by a public float. In early 2005 Patrick launched a hostile takeover for Virgin Blue. Patrick had been unhappy for some time with the company's direction. By the closure of the offer, Patrick held 62% of the company, giving it control. Virgin Group retains a 25% share. In May 2006 Toll Holdings acquired Patrick and became the majority owner of Virgin Blue. In July 2008 Toll sold its majority holding via a special dividend and now holds 1.7% of the company.

Virgin Blue Boeing 737

Virgin Blue uses a familiar formula pioneered by airlines such as Southwest Airlines and Ryanair eliminating costs such as included in-flight meals and printed tickets in favour of selling food on-board and using telephone and internet booking systems. It also cut costs in the past by limiting the number of airports serviced and by operating one type of aircraft, the Boeing 737. This strategy has now changed with the introduction of a second type into the fleet. The airline has ordered 20 Embraer E-jets, in a mix of six E170s and 14 E190s, with the intent of taking as many as another 20 aircraft.[3] These were ordered specifically so that the airline could re-enter the Sydney–Canberra market that it abandoned in 2004, and to fly to less populous areas.[3][4] The first E-170 arrived in Australia in September 2007 and by the end of the year the three on initial order had been delivered. These were placed on limited-frequency services before full-scale operations were launched on 4 February 2008 with services from Sydney to Canberra (branded as 'Capital Jet' services),[3] Mackay in Queensland, and the New South Wales regional centres of Port Macquarie and Albury, which were promoted with a one-cent fare.[5][6] The flights to Canberra and the regional centres signify an effort to compete more directly with Qantas and its subsidiary QantasLink operation, which flies to all three cities, with independent Regional Express Airlines.[3]

At its inception in 2000, Virgin Blue did not have interline or marketing alliances with other airlines. However, after the collapse of its domestic competitor Ansett, it began a codeshare agreement with United Airlines. This allowed United customers to fly from America to any of Virgin Blue's Australian destinations that United did not already serve. In 2006, in an effort to compete with Qantas, Virgin Blue started exploring these relationships, forming frequent flyer agreements with Emirates Airline, Hawaiian Airlines and Malaysia Airlines. Virgin Blue also has an Interline Agreement with Regional Express Airlines for travellers to and from smaller regional centres. In November 2007, the airline announced an interline deal with international carrier Garuda Indonesia, offering easy transfer from a domestic Virgin Blue flight to an international Garuda service departing from Perth, Melbourne, Sydney or Darwin.[7] Since then Virgin Blue has also announced an interline agreement with Vietnam Airlines which allows passengers to fly from Melbourne and Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City, then transfer easily to any of the 44 international and 19 domestic destinations served by Vietnam Airlines.[8]

Virgin Blue E-170 at Albury

In 2008, Premium Economy Class was introduced throughout its entire fleet. New seating was installed in the first three rows of the cabin. These could be converted from three seats in Economy configuration to two seats for Premium Economy. The premium product offers priority check-in, larger baggage allowance, lounge access, priority boarding, increased legroom and all-inclusive in flight entertainment and meals/beverages on board. The product is aimed at business and corporate customers.

The airline began charging for checked baggage for Economy Class in September 2008.

Virgin Blue's name was the result of an open competition; it is a play on the predominantly red livery and the Australian slang tradition of calling a red-headed male 'Blue' or 'Bluey'.[9]

In December 2010, Virgin Blue entered into alliances with Etihad Airways[10] and Air New Zealand[11] for code-sharing, reciprocal lounge and frequent flyer access and other co-operational projects.[10]

Virgin Blue also entered into talks with Delta Air Lines about the possibility of joining SkyTeam, one of the top three alliances in the world. Delta Air Lines already codeshares with V Australia.[citation needed]

On Friday, 7 May 2010, Brett Godfrey officially stepped down as Virgin Blue CEO after steering the company through its first ten years.[12] Replacement CEO (and former Qantas senior executive) John Borghetti took over as Virgin Blue new Chief Executive.[13] The year also saw Virgin Blue win SkyTrax's Best Low-Cost Airline Australia / Pacific at 2010 World Airline Awards, aheading of Jetstar and Tiger Airways.[14]

Virgin Blue signed a ten-year deal with regional airline Skywest Airlines to operate 18 turboprop aircraft, targeting the dominance of Qantas and its subsidiaries on the fly-in fly-out mining transport market. [15]

On 20 January 2011, Air New Zealand announced it would take a shareholding stake of between 10% and 14.99% in Virgin Blue. Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe describes the investment "as part of Air New Zealand's strategy to develop scale and reach in this region" but says the airline has no intention of making a full takeover of Virgin Blue.[16][17]

Corporate affairs and identity

Head office

Virgin Village, the Virgin Blue head office in Bowen Hills, Brisbane

Virgin Blue has its head office in Virgin Village in Bowen Hills, Brisbane. As of 2008 1,000 employees work at Virgin Village.[18] The building, with about 13,220 square metres (142,300 sq ft) A-Grade office space, was triple net leased to Virgin Blue.[19]

As the airline started operations, it decided to place its head office in the Brisbane area. Brett Godfrey, the original chief executive of Virgin Blue, said in 2006 that the decision "was a long considered one and has worked well."[20] The airline originally had its head office in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. The airline purchased a $61 million site in Bowen Hills for its new head office. The firm Sunland Group, which had acquired the Bowen Hills site for $8 million in 2005, had scheduled to complete the new head office in March, and the airline would be ready to move into the new head office by August of the following year.[21] The current head office facility, Virgin Village, formally opened on 17 October 2008.[22]

Re-organisation and re-brand Speculation

Since the arrival of John Borghetti (former Qantas Chief Financial Officer) as the CEO of Virgin Blue there has been much speculation regarding a forthcoming re-brand of the airline[23].

A number of key Qantas staff have moved to Virgin Blue while key Virgin Blue staff have departed the airline. [24] The airline has further announced their intention to operate Airbus A330 aircraft between Perth and the East Coast, starting in May 2011 [25].

In late 2010 the airline announced their move into the corporate market with the acquisition of the AFL contract previously held by Qantas. The move has been highly debated with criticism coming from several key figures including Hawthorn Football Club president Jeff Kennett.[26]

In early 2011, re-brand speculation was further supported with the arrival of an all-white Boeing 737 fresh from the Boeing field, which was placed into service with the airline without the distinctive Virgin brand [27].

Subsidiaries

Pacific Blue

Main article: Pacific Blue Airlines

In September 2003, Virgin Blue announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Pacific Blue would offer a low-cost service between New Zealand and Australia. Pacific Blue aimed to position itself as a low-cost competitor to Air New Zealand and Qantas on trans-Tasman routes.

In September 2010, Pacific Blue suspended all New Zealand domestic flights, Pacific Blue stated this was in attempt of concentrating on Pacific and trans-Tasman flights and in response to increased competition from Air New Zealand.

V Australia

Main article: V Australia

In early 2006, Virgin Blue's parent company announced its intention to operate up to seven flights a week to the United States using either Los Angeles International Airport or San Francisco International Airport, saying that the route was needed to make the airline as profitable as possible. On 25 July 2007, it was announced that "V Australia" would be the name of the new carrier.[28]

Marketing and sponsorship

Virgin Blue's "Rabbitohs" Boeing 737 'Bondi Babe' at Sydney Airport
Virgin Blue Boeing 737 with special scheme to advertise the Australian DVD release of the movie Avatar

On 8 February 2007, it was announced that Virgin Blue had signed a two-year sponsorship deal with NRL team the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Rabbitohs are the first rugby league team Virgin Blue has sponsored.[29] Boeing 737-800 VH-VUA has slight changes to its livery to commemorate this sponsorship. The Australian flag held by the "Virgin Girl" is replaced by the Rabbitohs' flag.

Virgin Blue is also the official sponsor of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL), and the title sponsor of NBL team the Brisbane Bullets.

Virgin Blue gained extra revenue (and publicity) by painting two aircraft as "flying billboards". One promoted a brand of men's razor, the other a Queensland Government campaign to attract businesses to the state.[30] Both aircraft have since been withdrawn from the Virgin Blue fleet.

In 2007 Virgin Blue introduced an advertising campaign with the slogan "Get What You Want". The television commercials used in the campaign featured a song of the same name by Queensland band Operator Please.

In 2009, Virgin Blue introduced an all new advertising campaign entitled "Now there's an idea". TV Commercials showing comparisons between flying in Australia in 1999 as opposed to 2009 were screened, to the tune of one of The Cat Empire songs. New billboard advertising was launched, showcasing Virgin Blue's variety of products and on-time performance records.

In November 2010, the AFL decided not to renew its marketing contract with Qantas, instead choosing Virgin Blue for a deal woth AU$5-8 million.[31][32] This came off the back of a tumultuous fortnight for Qantas, who suffered a number of highly-publicised in-flight incidents, one of which involved an uncontained engine failure with a Airbus A380, registered VH-OQA. See Qantas Flight 32.

Awards

Virgin Blue Boeing 737 with the "virgin girl" logo and the name 'Alluring Alice', a reference to Alice Springs

Virgin Blue Airlines has won a number of awards since its inception. The airline and certain of its employees won five 2009 Service Excellence Awards of the Customer Service Institute of Australia.[33] Since being named as Best Low-Cost Airline in the Asia/Pacific region in the Skytrax 2002 Airline of the Year Survey, the airline has also been voted best airline in a number of different categories and by a number of different organisations.[33]

The airline's Frequent Flyer program Velocity Rewards won the 2009 Freddie Awards, the largest award in the travel industry, for Best Frequent Flyer Program, Best Award Redemption, Best Affinity Credit Card, Best Member Communications, Best Website. This was the fourth consecutive Freddie Awards that Velocity has won.[34]

Destinations

Main article: Virgin Blue Group destinations

Fleet

As of December 2010 the Virgin Blue fleet consists of the following aircraft with an average age of 6.4 years:[35][36][37]

Virgin Blue fleet
Aircraft Total Orders/Options/
Purchase rights 		Passengers Notes
Airbus A330-200 0 4/0/0[38] TBA To be delivered in 2011[39]
Boeing 737-700 19 0/0/0 144
Boeing 737-800 32 79/25/30 180
Embraer E-170 6 0/0/0 78 To be phased out in 2011.[39]
Embraer E-190 15 3/0/0 104
Total 72 86/25/30
'Irresista-blue', Virgin Blue's third E170 at Sydney Airport

Initially Virgin Blue leased its aircraft but many recent additions to the fleet have been purchased outright. In June 2006, Virgin Blue placed an order for nine Boeing 737-800s, due to be delivered in 2008.[40] Virgin Blue-owned Boeing 737s are indicated by the Boeing customer code FE in the model suffix.

In November 2006, Virgin Blue announced plans to purchase 11 Embraer E190 and three Embraer E170 aircraft with options for six more E-jets. These later became orders for an additional three E170s and three E190s.[41] In February 2008 a further four E190s were ordered, leaving six options and ten purchase rights.[42]

Virgin Blue received its first Embraer 170 in early September 2007 at a special ceremony at the Embraer plant in Sao Jose dos Campos.[43] The ERJ-170s have introduced a revised logo on their tails, bringing the Virgin Blue brand into line with the logos of other Virgin-branded companies.[3]

Some of Virgin Blue's Boeing 737-800s, such as 'Madelaide' (pictured), are painted in Pacific Blue colours

Like Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Blue gives the aircraft in its fleet names, often incorporating female names and words connected with Australian cities and localities or other quintessentially Australian themes. Names on Virgin Blue aircraft include 'Brissie Lizzie' ("Brissie" being an Australian slang name for Brisbane, and "Lizzie" being slang for Elizabeth), 'Sassy Sydney' (Sydney is a female name as well as the name of Australia's largest city), 'Prue Blue' (incorporating the name Prudence and also a pun on the Australian phrase "true blue", meaning "patriotic"), 'Tassie Tigress' (incorporating both the slang name for Tasmania and the common name for the Thylacine) and 'Mackay-be Diva' (a pun on the city of Mackay, Queensland and Makybe Diva, a famous Australian racehorse). Each aircraft in the Virgin Blue colours (some are painted in Pacific Blue colours for cross-promotional reasons) also features a "virgin girl" as nose art, complete with a wide-brimmed Aussie hat, trailing an Australian flag.

On 24 October 2007, Virgin Blue announced the introduction of Premium Economy on all domestic flights. As the E-jets already have four-abreast seating, the number of seats on these aircraft remained unchanged after the rollout of Premium Economy.[44]

An agreement was signed with Boeing on 1 April 2010 for an order of fifty firm Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with flexibility to convert to either Boeing 737-700 or Boeing 737-900ER, as well as 25 additional options and 30 future purchase rights. Delivery is scheduled from June 2011 through to 2017.[37] The new aircraft are expected to replace Virgin Blue’s existing narrow body fleet, while the remainder will be deployed to new routes and boost frequency according to demand.[37]

2011 regional expansion

On January 10 2011, Virgin Blue entered a 10 year strategic alliance with WA based airline, Skywest, to operate 18 new Virgin branded turboprop aircraft from Mid 2011.[45] The airline is currently looking to order either the Bombardier Q400, the ATR 42-600 or the ATR 72-600 for new services on the east coast of Australia, to destinations which are unviable for the Embraer fleet (similar to QantasLink).

Services

Food and beverages

Virgin Blue offers a fully inclusive food and beverage service for its Premium Economy Class.

Economy Class offers a buy on board service with food and drinks for purchase.[46][47]

Live2Air

In December 2006, Virgin Blue announced a partnership between Australian cable television providers Foxtel and Austar, to introduce a "Live2Air"[48] service on all flights by mid 2007. The Live2Air system is only available on Boeing 737 aircraft. The Embraer 170 and 190 fleet is not equipped with the service. Virgin Blue was the first carrier outside North America to introduce multi-channel real-time satellite TV to its flights.[citation needed] Live2Air is free of charge on Premium Economy, while on Economy Classthe Live2Air system costs $4.90 on flights under 2 hours, and $9.90 on flights over 2 hours if paying via credit card. If paying by cash the system cost $5.00 and $10.00 respectively. The system is available free of charge for all passengers until approximately 10 minutes after takeoff. After this period, the passenger must swipe their credit card to continue viewing.

An advertising channel and a flight track channel are free of charge for both classes throughout the flight.

The Lounge

File:Theloungelogo.png
Virgin Blue's The Lounge

History

To capture a share of the business traveller market, Virgin Blue decided to provide a members lounge facility for travellers. Originally this was called The Blue Room and provided facilities to members and guests on a pay-as-you-go basis. Many of these facilities became available when Virgin Blue relocated into the former Ansett terminals across the country, with the defunct Golden Wing club lounges left behind being utilised as Blue Room lounges, complete with furnishings.

In 2006, Virgin Blue revamped the Blue Room lounge facilities and re-launched it as The Lounge, which offers all-inclusive facilities for a membership fee or casual fee basis. Upgraded facilities that are provided include buffet food and refreshments, newspapers, showers, computers, and WiFi internet access for travellers.

In 2008, Virgin announced that they would be relocating their Sydney Lounge to new larger premises. The new lounge occupies the lower level of the former Ansett Golden Wing Club lounge, centrally located between both Terminal 2 concourses. The original location of the Sydney Lounge, which was located in the former Ansett Executive Lounge on the first concourse, is now vacant.

The Lounge is open seven days a week from 45 minutes prior to the first departure until the last flight is called for boarding.

Lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will undergo a three-month refurbishment programme starting in February 2010.[49]

Lounge access

Members are permitted to enter "The Lounge" when flying on Virgin Blue or codeshare Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue and V Australia services on the day of travel, along with one guest who need not be travelling. A Single entry pass is available subject to space at a cost of $35.00 AUD, payable at the time of entry, or $30.00 AUD pre-purchased online. Complimentary access is provided for Velocity Gold, Premium Economy and Corporate Plus members. International Business Class and International Premium Economy passengers on V Australia also gain complimentary lounge access.

Locations

  • Brisbane - Virgin Blue Domestic Terminal, opposite Gate 41. (Will close for renovation in February-March 2011 for refurbishment. A replacement lounge will be available.[50])
  • Sydney - Terminal 2, To the right of security or via escalator from the food court on the concourse level. (Refurbishment is planned in early 2011.[51])
  • Melbourne - Terminal 3, Down check-in escalators to the left of security check point. (Will close for two weeks during the period February-April 2011 for refurbishment.[52])
  • Adelaide - Domestic Terminal, Departures Level, opposite Gate 18.
  • Canberra - Virgin Blue Domestic Terminal, Level 1 - Departures.
  • Perth - Virgin Blue Domestic Terminal, Ground floor (Terminal 3[53])

Reservation system

Virgin Blue's reservation system is managed by Navitaire.[54] The reservation suffered a system crash on the weekend, 26 September 2010 disrupting passenger arrival and departure services nationally.[55] The reservation system has come back online and the backlogs were processed.[56][57] Virgin Blue will ask its IT supplier, Navitaire for compensation.[58]

Velocity Rewards

File:Velocity Rewards logo.gif
Velocity Rewards is Virgin Blue's frequent flyer programme

Virgin Blue launched its frequent-flyer program Velocity Rewards in 2005, with partner National Australia Bank offering a companion credit card. By 2007, points collected from selected Westpac, American Express and Diners Club Cards could be transferred to Velocity Rewards, and effective September 2008, ANZ Reward Visa Card points as well. Status levels were introduced to the program in late 2007 as part of continued efforts to attract business travelers. Alongside the entry-level "Red" status, frequent travelers can now attain "Silver" and "Gold" status, each with its own set of benefits.

Velocity is different from most other frequent flyer programs in two ways. First, points are earned relative to the cost of a flight, rather than the length. Velocity members originally earned 6 points per dollar spent on Virgin Blue flights. This has since been altered due to the introduction of status levels; Red members now earn 5 points per dollar, Silver members remain at 6 points, and Gold members earn 7. (Points on Virgin Blue's long-haul carrier V Australia, as well as the majority of Velocity's airline partners, are still earned per mile).

Second, Velocity was the first frequent flyer program in Australia to offer "any seat, any time" reward flight availability. The amount of points required to redeem an award seat directly corresponds to the current fare of that seat, allowing any seat currently available to be redeemed. Rival Qantas introduced a similar feature to their frequent flyer program in May 2008.

As of February 2008, Velocity Rewards had 1.3 million members and Virgin Blue stated it was considering selling it or entering into a joint venture once its operation was profitable, and considered a membership of 1.6 to 1.7 million members would put the operation in a break-even position.[59]

Controversies

  • In 2003 a man with a disability and having incomplete quadriplegia was removed from a Virgin Blue flight because staff thought he was drunk or a terrorist. He subsequently settled a lawsuit against the airline.[60]
  • In May 2006 a controversy arose over Virgin Blue's policy with regard to passengers with disabilities. Former Chief Executive Brett Godfrey affirmed the policy of the company that passengers who were "unable to look after themselves on board should travel with carers".[61] After a hearing in the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Virgin Blue backed down from this policy, agreeing to limit it to passengers weighing over 130 kg.[62][63] However the chair of the ACT Disability Advisory Council, Craig Wallace, who uses a wheelchair, was refused passage on a Virgin Blue flight booked for 8 October 2006.[64] In a media release on 29 September, ACTDAC claimed that "Virgin Blue has also refused to refund $418 in fares from the flight for Mr Wallace or Council staff. Ironically, they have listed these fares as a ‘credit’ – a credit Mr Wallace or other people in his situation are prohibited from accessing by Virgin’s own policy".[65]
  • In January 2007 Virgin Blue attracted controversy when its staff at Adelaide Airport ordered a passenger to remove a T-shirt bearing the slogan World's Number One Terrorist above an image of George W. Bush. The wearer, Allen Jasson from London, was informed that the garment was potentially offensive. Jasson had also experienced difficulty on earlier flights with Qantas. A spokeswoman for Virgin Blue defended the decision.[66]
  • In April 2007 the airline lost a discrimination case appeal over the age of flight attendants they employed. Eight former flight attendants aged over 34 from another airline had applied for employment with Virgin Blue but none had gained work. They claimed they were discriminated against because of their age and won compensation in March 2006. The airline's appeal against this decision failed and the company was ordered to pay costs.[67] Tribunal member Douglas Savage found that the assessors were biased against older women, and that the company had failed to offer a reasonable explanation for why no one over 36 was employed as cabin crew during the airline's recruitment drive between 2001 and 2002.
  • In November 2009 Virgin Blue's Velocity Rewards Programme incorrectly emailed over 1 million members [68] advising them they had been upgraded to Gold Status for free. The airline later retracted the offer with a subsequent email advising Friday the 13th Strikes.[69] When asked about the withdrawal of the offer, a Virgin Blue spokesperson said that:

    "It's physically impossible to absorb that many people into the lounge or gold system.[70][71] "

  • In January 2011 the airline was fined $110,000 after breaking anti spam regulations[72]. Consumers complained they were unable to unsubscribe from the airline's mailing list[73]. The Australian Communications and Media Authority said the airline would:

    "Engage an independent third party to thoroughly assess its email marketing processes and to implement any recommended changes." [74]

  • In January 2011 it was revealed by The West Australian that according to Australian Football League physician, Dr Peter Larkins, Australian Football players could be at greater risk of DVT because of the league's decision to drop Qantas for Virgin Blue (with lower seat pitch and no Business Class)[75] as the league's official carrier.[76].

Incidents

  • December 3, 2003: A near collision between a Virgin Blue aircraft and a Cessna north-west of Melbourne.[77]
  • December 2005: a Boeing 737-700 was flying from Townsville to Brisbane when a cockpit window cracked. The plane made an emergency landing at Brisbane Airport. Due to the rapid descent some passengers suffered ear discomfort and other minor injuries.[78][79]
  • August 2007: a Virgin Blue Boeing 737 was flying from Brisbane to Hamilton Island when an engine stopped. The plane made an emergency landing at Rockhampton Airport. It was a safe landing and no injuries were recorded.[78]
  • November 17, 2007: A Boeing 737-700, registration VH-VBC performing flight DJ-998 from Gold Coast to Melbourne with 145 passengers and 6 crew, was climbing through FL318 out of Gold Coast when the crew donned their oxygen masks and initiated an emergency descent due to a rapid loss of cabin pressure. The aeroplane subsequently diverted to Brisbane for a safe landing.[80]
  • August 18, 2008: An aircraft with 55 passengers on board was forced to make a high-speed landing at Melbourne Airport in what air safety investigators treated as a serious incident.[81]
  • October 10, 2008: A aircraft at the Gold Coast airport was attended by emergency services after a bird struck the aircraft on landing.[82]
  • June 5, 2009: During the flight of a Boeing 737-700, registration VH-VBL performing flight DJ-749 from Melbourne to Gold Coast with 141 passengers and 6 crew, cabin crew complained about fumes in the rear of the cabine that smelled like acetone or turpentine, the fumes however dissipated. When the aeroplane was on approach to the Gold Coast Airport and descended through 5000 feet, the fumes returned causing illness to four cabin crew members. The aeroplane landed safely.[83]
  • July 25, 2009: The nose wheel of a Boeing 737 jet fell off while the aircraft was taxiing to the runway in Melbourne.[84]
  • August 25, 2009: A Boeing 737-800, registration VH-VOC performing flight DJ-1153 from Launceston to Sydney with 151 passengers, was in the initial climb, when the left hand engine surged emitting a loud bang and streaks of flames and sparks. The crew reduced the engine to idle and returned to Launceston for a safe landing.[85]
  • October 20, 2009: A Boeing 737-800, registration VH-VUI performing flight DJ-208 from Adelaide to Melbourne, touched down on Melbourne's runway 34, when the number #4 wheel fractured. The crew noticed that the aeroplane pulled to the right, the aeroplane came close to the right runway edge line. The crew subsequently needed excessive thrust from the right hand engine for taxiing.[86]
  • November 9, 2009: A Boeing 737-800, registration VH-VON performing flight DJ-459 from Brisbane to Darwin was on final approach to runway 29, when the crew aborted the approach due to wind shear alert. A second approach to runway 29 was aborted due to a tailwind of 16 knots. The crew subsequently decided to perform a VOR approach to runway 11, but received a GPWS flaps and GPWS terrain alert. The crew managed to land safely.[87]
  • November 13, 2009: A Boeing 737-800, flight DJ-1432 from Darwin to Perth with 89 passengers, returned to Darwin when the crew noticed vibrations of the right hand engine shortly after takeoff and suspected a bird strike. The aeroplane landed safely 20 minutes after departure.[88]
  • December 22, 2009: Virgin Blue flight DJ-1457 was carrying 120 passengers when it was discovered it was flying into the path of Cathay Pacific flight CX135 south of Katherine over the Northern Territory due to an error with air traffic controllers. The two aircraft were 20 nautical miles apart when both aircraft altered course and the Cathay aircraft also changed altitude to ensure they remained a safe distance apart.[89]
  • On April 19, 2010: A Boeing 737-800, registration VH-VOT performing flight DJ-558 from Perth to Sydney with about 150 passengers, was enroute near Adelaide, when a number of passengers started to complain about breathing difficulties. A short time earlier cabin crew had noticed an unusual odour on board. The flight crew decided to divert to Adelaide, where the aeroplane landed safely. One female passenger needed to be taken to hospital, 8 more passengers were treated by medical personnel at the airport, all passengers were screened for possible carbon monoxide poisoning.[90]
  • On November 19, 2010: A Boeing 737-700, flight DJ-807 from Melbourne to Sydney with 122 passengers and 6 crew, was in the initial climb when the crew noticed an abnormal odour on board prompting the return to Melbourne. The aeroplane landed safely less than 30 minutes after departure.[91]
  • On November 24, 2010: A Boeing 737-800, registration VH-VUX performing flight DJ-1326 from Melbourne to Hobart, overran the runway while landing at Hobart around 17:07 local time. No injuries or damage occurred.[92]

Associated carriers

  • Pacific Blue – Previously operated (up to Oct 2010) domestic services in New Zealand, operates trans-Tasman services and also operates services from Australia and New Zealand to the Pacific Islands, Bali and Phuket.
  • Polynesian Blue – a joint venture between Virgin Blue and the Samoan Government, it operates direct return flights Apia–Sydney, Apia-Brisbane and Apia–Auckland, with many connections to other cities, using Pacific Blue aircraft.
  • V Australia – Virgin Blue's long-haul subsidiary operating flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne to Los Angeles as well as flights from Australia to South Africa, Thailand and Fiji.

Footnotes

Notes

1. ^ Virgin Blue has a written agreement with Virgin Atlantic for Virgin Blue to use the "Virgin" callsign domestically in Australia. Outside Australia it cannot be used, so separate brands like Pacific Blue (callsign Bluebird for Pacific Blue NZ or Bluey for Pacific Blue International services operated by Virgin Blue) and joint venture Polynesian Blue have been created.

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