New Virgin Offshoot Could Soon Link JFK-SYD

[Matt Molnar]

A new Open Skies agreement signed today by the United States and Australia paves the way for a new Virgin Blue-owned carrier called V Australia. Service to LAX or SFO is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year, and the airline has also applied with the US DOT for SEA, LAS and JFK. They have six 777-300ERs on order, and will lease a seventh from ILFC.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7d/V_australia_livery.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/76/Logo_vaustralia.gif

[Nonstop2AUH]

Great to see more competition on the down under routes, although it would be nice if along with Open Skies there was a second US carrier in the mix in addition to this second Aussie one. Looks like on top of Virgin's house branding, they borrowed some ideas from Ansett and Silverjet for the livery.

[Delta777LR]

Would the 777-300ER be able to fly JFK-SYD nonstop if this happens??

[Iberia A340-600]

Would the 777-300ER be able to fly JFK-SYD nonstop if this happens??

I don't think the -300ER has the range. A stop in LAX or SFO would be most likely, like Qantas.

[stuart schechter]

I believe that as of right now, the only plane that is able to do that,is the 380, but it would have to be configured as an ER

[Matt Molnar]

The 772LR could do it with weight restrictions.

[adam613]

Even if it can make the trip nonstop, that's a loooooooooooong flight...

[DHG750R]

Even if it can make the trip nonstop, that's a loooooooooooong flight...

Certainly is , we (Atlas ) flew nonstop SYD-to the US West coast and it was 14hr 5 mins. I can imagine a few more hours to JFK ,