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Australia’s newest international airline, V Australia, has announced it will launch non-stop flights between Los Angeles and Brisbane, Queensland Australia, from early next year giving American travelers direct access to Australia’s renowned ‘Sunshine State’. Queensland is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders including The Great Barrier Reef and the heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest.
Los Angeles-Brisbane is the second route to be announced for V Australia which will take off on its inaugural flight between Los Angeles and Sydney on December 15, 2008*.
V Australia will launch three flights a week between Los Angeles and Brisbane from March 1, 2009*. The carrier will operate Boeing 777-300ER aircraft configured to a three class cabin offering International Business Class, International Premium Economy Class and International Economy class.
V Australia Executive General Manager, Scott Swift, said, "We are excited to be linking the City of LA directly with Brisbane city, the second Australian destination to be added to the V Australia network. This will be tremendous for US travelers keen to experience tropical Queensland. Importantly, this new flight will also provide another direct link from Australia to Los Angeles, equating to approximately 1000 additional seats per week in the market from Brisbane alone, which will increase visitors to North America and help to boost business and tourism opportunities".
V Australia will direct its third 777-300ER aircraft to the Los Angeles- Brisbane route and carried out extensive research before deciding to commit the resources to operating a second trans-Pacific flight directly out of LA to Brisbane. Only one other airline currently operates direct services between the two cities, making it ripe for competition.
Scott Swift continued, "LA-Sydney may be the busiest route between Los Angeles and Australia but V Australia is also eager to give the Los Angeles- Brisbane route a red hot go and we are keen to help ramp up visitor numbers to California and beyond."
Los Angeles Mayor, Antonia R. Villaraigosa, said, "I am delighted that V Australia has identified the Brisbane-LA route as having strong potential in terms of passenger growth and we welcome V Australia’s vote of confidence in Los Angeles and the greater state of California."
Mayor Villaraigosa added, "Providing direct access for Australian travelers to LA is going to be critical in luring more visitors to experience the attractions of this great city and then travel onwards to other world famous Californian and USA destinations".
V Australia will initially introduce three direct flights a week between LA and Brisbane on a Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and is confident its attractive fares, convenient direct flight and refreshing product and people will prove a successful formula.
V Australia Los Angeles – Brisbane Launch Schedule
Los Angeles – Brisbane – Effective March 1, 2009
Flight No. Va -8
Departing 2230 Arriving 0655 (+2 Days) Mon – Wed – Fri
Brisbane – Los Angeles – Effective March 1, 2009
Flight No. Va -7
Departing 1135 Arriving 0700 Wed – Fri – Sun
* Subject to Regulatory approval.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
