In a refreshing display of candor, the Virgin Australia CEO has called upon the Australian government to re-open borders once the adult population has been offered vaccinations, even if it leads to death. Virgin Australia CEO Says International Borders...
In Defense Of Richard Branson…Why Should He Cough Up Money To Save Virgin?
Richard Branson has been ridiculed for his unwillingness to expend his personal fortune to save the airlines he founded. But can you blame him? I certainly cannot. Virgin Australia is in Australia’s version of bankruptcy protection. Virgin Atlantic is...
Qantas Wants To Crush Virgin Australia Once And For All
Troubled Virgin Australia has asked the Australian government for a financial lifeline. Qantas has aggressively responded, denouncing a government bailout for a “badly managed” company and arguing for a “survival of the fittest” model as the economy enters recession....
Review: Virgin Australia 737-800 Business Class
While perfect for domestic short hops, I found Virgin Australia’s 737-800 Business Class product a bit constraining for a six hour journey to Bali. I understand that Bali is a leisure destination for Australians and most are far more...
Review: Virgin Australia 777-300ER Business Class
I may not have slept well, but I liked everything else about my Virgin Australia 777-300ER flight in “The Business” from Los Angeles to Brisbane. In one of the rare sweet spots on the Delta award chart, I booked...
Virgin Australia Cuts Staff After Seventh Consecutive Annual Loss
After seven consecutive years of annual losses, Virgin Australia is cutting staff and plans to cuts routes as well. Virgin Australia, founded in 2000, last posted an annual profit in 2012. In the last seven years it has updated...
First Impressions: Virgin Australia 737-800 Business Class
Hello from Bali! I’ve certainly flown the long way here by traveling via Brisbane on Virgin Australia. I’ll use this post to provide my first impressions of Virgin’s 737-800 in business class. I knew I wouldn’t get the white,...
First Impressions: Virgin Australia 777-300ER Business Class
Hello from Brisbane! After 14 hours onboard Virgin Australia I am relaxed and ready for the day ahead. Brisbane is merely a transit point on this trip–my end goal is Singapore–but I could not pass up the opportunity to...
Booked: Asia Via Australia In Virgin Australia Business Class
Earlier this week I mentioned my upcoming layover in Bali and asked for your help on where to stay there. I am flying a rather unconventional route to get there. Singapore is my ultimate destination. Rather than flying nonstop...
Australian Veterans Angry At Virgin Australia For Priority Boarding
Australian war veterans are saying no thanks to a plan by Virgin Australia to recognize their service with priority boarding and special announcements onboard. The New York Times reports vets are embarrassed and ashamed of the new recognition: Critics,...
Three Airlines Take on April Fool’s Day
Yesterday was not only Easter, but April Fool’s Day. I’ve never really understood all the jokes surrounding this day, yet several airlines take time each year…a great deal of time based on the vides below…to have fun with this...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: November 12, 2017
After a quick trip to Honolulu to commemorate the final United Airlines 747 flight, I’m back in LA…for tonight anyway. Tomorrow my next trip begins: a business trip that I’ll detail tomorrow that will take me on a product...
Virgin Australia’s Unethical Move to Cancel Cheap Tickets
You may be unethical if you book fares you think are “mistake” fares but one airline is certainly unethical for waiting NINE DAYS to cancel a cheaply-priced economy class ticket is blames on “human error”. Let’s all give a...
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Top 10 Airline Award Redemptions for January 2014
With the new year here and many changes negatively affecting airline loyalty programs now in effect or shortly taking effect, there are still a number of superb deals available. Here are my top ten award travel bright spots for...
Adding an Infant Ticket to a Virgin Australia Delta SkyMiles Award
Now that I have lost most of you with such a boring title, let me tell you a little about my day. Days actually. It has taken two weeks to get an infant ticket issued for a client and...
New Gourmet Menu in Economy Class on Virgin Blue
As Virgin Blue continues to move away from the low-cost-carrier model, the airline has introduced a new menu in economy class that looks downright tasty. Designed by Chef Luke Mangan, the menu will include bundles like a panini served...
Air New Zealand Acquires Partial Ownership of Virgin Blue
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is not about to let Virgin Blue and Air New Zealand merge, but NZ turned some heads today after declaring plans to purchase a 14.99% stake in Virgin Blue. NZ says it is...
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Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht Addresses Consolidation, Latam, Gulf Partners, and Russia
Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht sat down with Business Traveler this week after a Star Alliance board meeting (in beautiful Queenstown, New Zealand) to discuss a wide-variety of topics. Here are some of the highlights: On consolidation: Consolidation is...
UA’s Smisek Discusses Channel 9, 747 IFE, and the Future of Three-Cabin First Class
Speaking in Sydney yesterday, United CEO Jeff Smisek touched on a number of areas we’ve been eagerly waiting to hear about: -No Ch 9 (ATC communications) coming to CO aircraft–two expensive -No timeframe on determining the future of three-cabin...
