Sir Richard Branson's New Australian Airline Announces its First Fares for South Africa

BRISBANE, Australia, October 28 /PRNewswire/ --
- Head 'Down Under' From ZAR4,699 One Way
From lions and leopards to koalas and kangaroos! Richard Branson's new Australian airline is gearing up for March launch with special sale fares for South African travellers.
V Australia, Virgin Blue Airlines Group's boutique three class long haul airline, has officially opened its doors for business in South Africa, with flights from ZAR4,699 one way in economy class, and ZAR7,999 for return travel in economy class, including taxes and surcharges.
Fares go on sale at 9 a.m. today via travel agents and the airline's web site www.vaustralia.com for V Australia's launch route of Johannesburg - Melbourne, with flights commencing 13 March 2010.
V Australia unveiled plans to commence services between South Africa and Australia in August this year, together with a pledge from Virgin Group Chairman, Sir Richard Branson, for V Australia to bring fresh competition, super sale fares and a high quality, friendly service style to the people of South Africa.
To celebrate, V Australia is offering special sale fares in each of its three cabins, with flights:
to Melbourne - Economy class - one way ZAR4,699 (including taxes and surcharges) to Melbourne - Economy class - return ZAR7,999 (including taxes and surcharges) to Melbourne - Premium Economy class return ZAR15,799 (including taxes and surcharges) to Melbourne - Business class - return ZAR37,999 (including taxes and surcharges)

Domestic connections are also available from Melbourne to Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and numerous other Australian cities and towns as well as to New Zealand. The award winning Virgin Blue Airlines group operates frequent services to 28 Australian destinations and 13 international destinations in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.
V Australia will also provide the fastest and most convenient connection from South Africa to New Zealand via Melbourne on V Australia's sister airline, Pacific Blue, with flights:
to Auckland - Economy class - return ZAR8,999 (including taxes and surcharges) to Auckland - Premium Economy class - return ZAR17,599 (including taxes and surcharges) to Auckland - Business class - return ZAR39,999 (including taxes and surcharges)

These special sale fares are on sale from 28 October 2009 through to 11 November 2009 and for travel 13 March 2010 to 31 May 2010*.
Virgin Blue Airlines Group Chief Executive, Mr. Brett Godfrey, said, "This is a significant step for our new airline and we look forward to giving the South Africa-Australia route a bit of a shake-up in the same way we have with the trans-Pacific route between the USA and Australia.
"V Australia will be the only airline operating direct flights from Johannesburg to Melbourne, twice weekly initially, with a view to increasing the number of services subject to demand."
He added, "V Australia has been very well received by travellers in both the U.S. and Australia since we launched the airline earlier this year and we are already seeing encouraging signs from Australians wanting to travel to Johannesburg, for the World Cup, business and leisure reasons."
V Australia's three class cabin includes International Business Class which offers convertible fully lie flat beds, a sit down in-flight bar, award winning in-flight entertainment system "RED" and Row 5, V Australia's special privacy "suite".
Earlier this month, V Australia's in-flight entertainment system and Business Class product were voted best in their categories in two separate consumer driven awards surveys.
The airline operates a brand new 777-300ER aircraft which features 33 seats in Business Class, 40 International Club Seats in Premium Economy and 288 International Economy seats.
All cabins offer the award winning personal seat back entertainment system featuring the latest on-demand in-flight entertainment including new release movies, TV, music, seat to seat "chat" and competition connectivity.
V Australia also offers two in-flight bars, mood lighting including twilight and sunset, bathrooms with piped music (including a ladies only bathroom) and some unique Australiana touches.
V Australia has appointed sister carrier Virgin Atlantic, to manage the day to day ground operations requirements in Johannesburg.
V AUSTRALIA FLIGHT SCHEDULE Johannesburg - Melbourne Schedule: EFFECTIVE 13 MARCH 2010 Flight No VA 16 DEP 8.50pm ARR 6.50pm + 1 Tuesdays and Saturdays Melbourne - Johannesburg Schedule: EFFECTIVE 13 MARCH 2010 Flight No VA 15 DEP 11.00am ARR 5.15pm Tuesdays and Saturdays Johannesburg- Auckland Schedule: EFFECTIVE 13 MARCH 2010 Flight No VA 16/DJ166 DEP 8.50pm ARR 12.20am + 1 Tuesdays and Saturdays Auckland - Johannesburg Schedule: EFFECTIVE 13 MARCH 2010 Flight No DJ165/VA15 DEP 6.30am ARR 5.15pm Tuesdays and Saturdays

*Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights, at peak times. Flights are subject to regulatory approval.
About V Australia and Virgin Blue:
V Australia www.vaustralia.com.au is a three class boutique style airline offering the acclaimed service for which the Virgin Blue Group is renowned and a unique Australian style. On board the airline's brand new 361-seat 777-300ER aircraft, configuration includes Business Class cabin with 33 fully lie-flat beds, Premium Economy with 40 International Club seats and 288 International Economy seats. All cabins offer the Red, state-of-the-art personal seat back entertainment, seat to seat 'chat' or competition connectivity. The airline also has two in-flight bars, mood lighting including twilight and sunset, bathrooms with piped music including a "ladies only" bathroom and other touches of Australiana from salt and pepper shakers to hidden wallpaper murals. V Australia is a part of the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines. The Australian-based airline group also includes Virgin Blue, second largest carrier in Australia www.virginblue.com.au and short haul international airlines Pacific Blue www.flypacificblue.com Polynesian Blue. Together they operate a fleet comprising of 81 modern Boeing 737-NG's, Boeing 777 and Embraer E-Jet aircraft flying to 28 Australian and 13 international destinations in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.
For further information: Heather Jeffery General Manager Public Affairs Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd Ph: +61-7-3295-5898 Email: heather.jeffery@virginblue.com.au Amanda Bolger Manager, Public and Media Relations Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd Ph: +61-7-3295-3115 Email: amanda.bolger@virginblue.com.au

Heather Jeffery, General Manager Public Affairs, +61-7-3295-5898, heather.jeffery@virginblue.com.au, or Amanda Bolger, Manager, Public and Media Relations, +61-7-3295-3115, amanda.bolger@virginblue.com.au, both of Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd