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Founded | 29 August 2000 (as Virgin Blue) | ||||||
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Commenced operations | 4 May 2011 (as Virgin Australia) | ||||||
AOC # | CASA.AOC.0010 | ||||||
Hubs | |||||||
Secondary hubs | |||||||
Focus cities | |||||||
Frequent-flyer program | Velocity | ||||||
Subsidiaries | Virgin Australia Regional Airlines | ||||||
Fleet size | 91 | ||||||
Destinations | 44 | ||||||
Parent company | Virgin Australia Holdings | ||||||
Headquarters | South Bank, Queensland, Australia | ||||||
Key people | Jayne Hrdlicka (CEO) | ||||||
Founders |
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Revenue | ![]() | ||||||
Operating income | ![]() | ||||||
Total assets | ![]() | ||||||
Total equity | ![]() | ||||||
Website | www |
Virgin Australia is an Australian airline with the core features of a low-cost carrier along with some elements of a full-service airline. It is one of two active airlines (the other being Virgin Atlantic) to use the Virgin brand, as well as the larger by fleet size. It commenced services on 31 August 2000 as Virgin Blue, with two aircraft on a single route.[3] It suddenly found itself becoming a major airline in Australia's domestic market after the collapse of Ansett Australia in September 2001. As of June 2024, the airline serves 33 Australian destinations with its Boeing 737 MAX and Boeing 737 Next Generation fleets from its hubs in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.[4]
The airline also operates a limited number of short-haul international flights.[5] Australian law prohibits majority-foreign-owned local airlines, like Virgin Australia, from operating international flights to and from Australia.[6] However, Virgin Australia evades this law by operating international flights through a controversial 'shell corporation' structure, a practice that is not illegal but has been widely criticized across Australia's aviation industry.[7]
The airline's headquarters are based in South Bank, Queensland. It was co-founded by British businessman Richard Branson (the founder of Virgin Group), and former CEO Brett Godfrey.
In 2011, the airline went through a period of transformation, changing its brand to Virgin Australia.[8] This included the introduction of a new aircraft livery, new uniforms, and new onboard menu options, as well as a business class product, which Virgin Blue did not have. New wide-body aircraft were acquired to compete with Qantas, and business class was rolled out across the Virgin Australia network.[3]
On 21 April 2020, Virgin Australia Holdings went into voluntary administration, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and financial troubles in the years leading up to the pandemic.[9] On 26 June 2020, it was announced that Bain Capital had entered into a sale and implementation deed with administrator Deloitte to acquire Virgin Australia.[10] Creditors agreed to this proposal on 4 September 2020, with the reorganization and change of ownership completed on 17 November. The airline announced that as part of its relaunch, it would focus on being a mid-market "hybrid" carrier.[11]
On 26 June 2024, Qatar Airways, wholly owned by the State of Qatar, announced its intentions to purchase a major stake in Virgin Australia, which was said to be around 20%.[12] According to Australia's metric regarding foreign investment in critical services, the proposed investment by Qatar Airways is substantial to a level where it could be against Australia's national interest,[13] hence requires screening and approval by Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board.[12]
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