2009 Tis the Year for Travel Between the USA and Australia

You had better grab a seat; this is going to be a great year as two new competitors enter the market. Qantas and United Airlines have dominated this route for several years, but like the US Presidential Elections, 2009 is the year for change. V Australia and Delta Air Lines will launch into the Los Angeles - Sydney market this year, bringing competition, choice, and the one thing all travellers love, lower airfares.

V Australia

V Australia has confirmed a new launch date of February 27, 2009, for its trans-Pacific inaugural flight from Sydney to Los Angeles. The flight will initially operate three times weekly; on March 21st, the Los Angeles to Sydney flights becomes daily.

The carrier initially had a launch date of December 15, 2008, but was unable to secure delivery of their new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on time because of a strike at Boeing. The wheels are now spinning over at Boeing and the first aircraft will be ready by Australia Day on January 26, according to Amanda Bolger, Manager of V Australia Media Relations.

According to Bolger, “We thought Australia Day was especially fitting given V Australia will be Australia’s newest international airline and will bring a closer connection between the USA and 'Down under'. Our team will be celebrating the milestone with a traditional Australian BBQ.”

The aircraft will then fly to Victorville, California for interior modifications; afterwards, a 60-strong team of Virgin Blue Group and V Australia executives will make a special trip from ‘down-under’ to attend the official aircraft handover event in Seattle on February 6.

On the subject of the start-up delay, Bolger said, “Our view is that we will be very pleased to take delivery of the first aircraft and are very much looking forward to launching our new airline designed to bring some competition, innovation and flair to the trans-Pacific market.”

The innovative service will offer mood lighting along with the V-Bar, allowing passengers to get out of their seats on the 15 hour jaunt. Customers have the option of purchasing seats in Business, Premium Economy, and Economy Class, all of which offer Virgin's RED in-flight entertainment system; with a screen at every seat, you can watch the latest movies, engage in multi-player video games, and have the ability to chat with friends (or make a new friend) in other seats -- it's a safe bet to say guests travelling with V Australia will have many diversions while en-route across the Pacific.

Travellers to Australia will be able to connect onward to other destinations with Virgin Blue. For flights within the United States to and from LAX, Bolger said, “VA (Virgin Australia) will be working with various US Partners Airlines for interline feed into and out of the USA - we have already partnered with Northwest (NW), Alaska Airlines (AS) and Continental (CO) and will be increasing the number of Airline interline partners moving forward.” When asked specifically about Virgin America, Bolger commented, “We will work with our Virgin Group partner airlines too.”

V Australia will also launch non-stop service between Brisbane and Los Angeles on April 8 with a three times per week schedule. V Australia departures will be joining Virgin America in the recently renovated Terminal 3 at LAX. International arrivals from Sydney and Brisbane will use the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

Scott Swift, V Australia Executive General Manager said, “We have no doubt tourism will be boosted to both the US and Australia given the introduction of some much needed competition and some of Virgin’s famous service style.”

V Australia looks promising and has already offered some fantastic trans-Pacific fares.

Delta Air Lines

On July 1st, Delta Air Lines will join the club with daily, non-stop Los Angeles to Sydney flights. The flight will originate in Atlanta and will provide residents of the Southeast United States a one-stop service from Atlanta to Sydney via LAX.

Delta will operate their new Boeing 777-200LR on this route. The newly configured 777-200LR offers more comfortable seats in coach plus BusinessElite service with fully horizontal sleeper suites.

Delta Air Lines flights will operate the Sydney flights from Terminal 5 at LAX. Delta is the largest carrier in the world with the Northwest merger and has significant feed into LAX.

Delta 17 (Atlanta to LAX to Sydney)

Depart Atlanta: 7:00pm

Arrive Los Angeles: 8:40pm

Depart Los Angeles: 10:40pm

Arrive Sydney: 6:40am (2 days later)

Delta 16 (Sydney to LAX to Atlanta)

Depart Sydney: 9:15am

Arrive Los Angeles: 6:00am

Depart Los Angeles: 7:40am

Arrive Atlanta: 2:55pm

With the addition of Sydney, Delta Air Lines will become the only US carrier with operations to six continents.