Virgin Australia – TTA Cruise and Travel

VIRGIN REVEALS ‘LOUNGE OF THE FUTURE’

April 6, 2021/in Airline News /by TEMP_@dm1n

Virgin Australia has unveiled its Lounge of the future, with the highly anticipated opening of its Adelaide Airport Lounge. The 283-seat space completes the airline’s network of seven lounges at major airports around Australia.

“Virgin’s new Adelaide lounge looks very smart indeed,” said The Travel Authority Group’s CEO, Peter Hosper.

“We have no doubt that frequent and corporate flyers will enjoy the fresh new look and enhanced amenities. We look forward to seeing more Virgin lounges look and feel like this in future.”
Peter Hosper

The lounge’s contemporary design includes a breeze block feature wall, canopy ceilings, large light-filled spaces, and numerous dining and seating areas. Ambient lighting and bright greenery make it a relaxed and inviting place to refresh and recharge in a way that befits the Virgin brand.

Virgin Australia Adelaide Lounge Features

The Coffee Bar: An eye-catching central café seating area that turns into a wine bar at night.

The Cellar Door Hub: With some of Australia’s most awarded wineries on its doorstep, this is a space for South Australian wineries to bring their cellar door to the Lounge for seasonal wine tasting.

Distinct dining areas: Separate dining areas with diverse functionality cater to all guest’s eating preferences, including large social tables, and banquette seating for more private dining.

The Library: A dedicated work area featuring workstations with PCs, printing facilities, power sockets, and desk lamps, offering a functional environment to work on the fly.

All future Virgin domestic Lounge refurbishments will be done in line with this fresh, new design aesthetic.

Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the new lounge was the first of many new and exciting products for customers following the airline’s re-launch.

“We are continuing to write a new chapter at Virgin Australia and we’re incredibly focused on creating great experiences for our guests,” said Ms Hrdlicka.

“We plan to make significant investment in our lounges over the next few years. The new lounge we’ve unveiled today will be the foundation for the Virgin aesthetic and experience we will roll out across the network.”
Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka

In an Australian airline first, Virgin Australia is also trialling a food ordering system, offering guests end-to-end table service. Initially available in Adelaide and Melbourne, guests will be able to order food and beverages directly to their seat or table by simply scanning a QR code and placing an order on their phone.

This will not only provide a seamless table service for guests, but it will reduce movement and further enhance the COVID-safe environment.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US [1300 935 669] to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you!

FREQUENT FLYER STATUS MATCHING – VIRGIN FIGHTS BACK

December 8, 2020/in Airline News /by TEMP_@dm1n

Hot on the heels of Qantas’ frequent flyer fast-track offer, Virgin Australia has hit back with an attractive counter offer.

The airline announced that its Velocity Frequent Flyer program will reward its Gold and Platinum members for their loyalty, and give eligible Qantas Frequent Flyer members (and their companion) a taste of flying with a ‘fun and vibrant’ airline.

Speaking at Brisbane Airport, Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said domestic airline competition was alive and well.

“Virgin Australia was the first airline in Australia to bring genuine competition to the domestic market, and that competitive spirit is in our DNA, so we’re happy to offer a more compelling loyalty offer than what is currently in market,” said Ms Hrdlicka.

“We’re pleased to welcome Qantas members to Velocity who are interested in taking advantage of cheaper fares, award-winning cabin crew, and great rewards for ongoing loyalty. We look forward to welcoming them onboard this summer season,” she added.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

By simply filling-in a short expression of interest form by 21 December 2020, Qantas Gold status and above members will receive a three month ‘Velocity Discover Gold Status’ trial membership.

That membership offers complimentary Lounge access, priority boarding, preferential seating, higher checked baggage allowances, and lucrative bonus points when customers book and fly with Virgin Australia.

To retain Velocity Gold status for 12-months and receive an additional Velocity Gold membership for a companion, they are only required to take one eligible flight and earn 80 status credits during their three month Discover Gold Status trial period—something previously only awarded to the most active Velocity members.

STATUS EXTENSIONS FOR EXISTING VELOCITY GOLD AND PLATINUM MEMBERS

Not to be outdone by the national carrier, Velocity Frequent Flyer is also offring eligible Gold and Platinum members a status extension of up to one year or until 31 March 2022, as long as they take one (1) eligible flight with Virgin Australia before 28 March 2021.

This is the second time Velocity has granted eligible members a Status extension this year. This will enable Gold and Platinum members to continue accessing benefits like Lounge access, priority boarding, and higher Velocity points earning ability when they return to the skies.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US [1300 935 669] to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you!

EARN DOUBLE VELOCITY POINTS

September 23, 2020/in Airline News /by TEMP_@dm1n

ACTIVATE this offer and book by 29 September.
VALID for travel until 17 August 2021

You can earn double Velocity Points on all eligible Virgin Australia domestic flights when you book before 29 September 2020 and travel by 17 August 2021.

That’s 10 Points for every $1 you spend on domestic flights!

It’s as easy as 1-2-3

1. CLICK HERE to activate this offer.

2. BOOK an eligible Virgin Australia flight with The Travel Authority Group by 29 September 2020.

3. TRAVEL by 17 August 2021 to earn double Points!

Scroll down for terms and conditions.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US [1300 935 669] to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you!

Terms and Conditions
To be eligible for the Double Points promotion you must (1) Activate this offer through the activation link contained in this flyer or via www.velocityfrequentflyer.com within the member dashboard under ‘Activated Offers’ between 12.01am AEST 21 September 2020 and 11.59pm 29 September 2020 inclusive (Promotion Period); (2) after offer activation, book and ticket an Eligible Flight during the Promotion Period and enter a valid Velocity membership number at the time of booking; and (3) complete travel on an Eligible Flight. An Eligible Flight is a Domestic flight marketed and operated by Virgin Australia (except where a Domestic flight is flown as part of an international journey), between 12.01am AEST 21 September 2020 and 11.59pm 17 August 2021 inclusive and booked and ticketed in a fare class that normally accrues Points. Points cannot be earned on Velocity Reward Seat bookings. Codeshare services marketed or operated by partner airlines are not eligible for this offer. Bonus Velocity Points will be earned in addition to base Velocity Points earned. Bonus Points will be applied to the originally purchased fare class and any upgrades (other than when you paid the full commercial fare) will not attract Bonus Points as a result of this offer. There is no limit on the amount of times this offer can be redeemed. Velocity Points offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. You should allow up to 4 weeks after completion of travel for the bonus Velocity Points to be allocated.

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA Increases Services

June 18, 2020/in Airline News /by TEMP_@dm1n

The Virgin Australia Group doubles current capacity and introduces new safety and wellbeing measures as state travel restrictions begin to ease from early July.

“As state travel restrictions ease, demand for air travel is starting to return. We have a long way to go, but we’re thrilled to see airline schedules coming to life again. These services will be a welcome boost to the local tourism industry,”

The Travel Authority Group’s CEO, Peter Hosper.

The increased services will add some 30,000 seats across 320 flights per week to the airline’s domestic schedule. CLICK HERE to view to full Virgin Australia domestic schedule.

New Safety and Wellbeing Measures

Virgin Australia will also introduce a comprehensive new set of safety and wellbeing measures including pre-departure eligibility and health screening, contactless check-in, more frequent cleaning onboard and at the airport, and expanded social distancing measures.

The measures have been developed in close collaboration with airlines and airports across Australia as part of the Australian Aviation Recovery Coalition.

Virgin Australia Group Medical Officer Dr Sara Souter said the new measures will ensure that we appropriately manage the latest advice from government and remain vigilant when it comes to hygiene and personal protection.

“We will be adopting contactless check-in, a new sequenced boarding and disembarkation process and guests will see more frequent cleaning of high touch surfaces on the aircraft and within the airport,” said Virgin Australia Group Medical Officer, Dr Sara Souter.

“In addition, a new health questionnaire will be rolled out as part of the check-in process to ensure passengers are fit to fly and to assist with contact tracing,” added Dr Souter.

The airline has confirmed that an empty seat will be kept between guests travelling alone wherever possible, but that families and travelling companions will be able to sit together on flights.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you.

SOCIAL Distancing at 40,000 Feet

April 23, 2020/in Airline News /by TEMP_@dm1n

During these times of isolation and physical distancing, it’s not unreasonable to wonder how this might work at 40,000 feet.

Even though most of the world’s commercial passenger aircraft are parked and patiently awaiting the restart of the global economy, many airlines still have a few aircraft servicing essential routes. So, if you find yourself on one, how will you ensure a safe, social distance from the other passengers?

In what might just be the best silver lining in all of this, airlines are leaving their dreaded middle-seats empty.

“Flying is going to feel different for a while yet. Fewer flights, fewer people, fewer everything. But, on the up-side, more space for everyone.”

The Travel Authority Group’s CEO, Peter Hosper.

Or as Virgin Australia describes it, “Virgin Australia has implemented new social distancing measures on all scheduled domestic flights until further notice. Guests will have the seat next to them blocked as part of the new social distancing policy.”

Similarly at Qantas, whilst acknowledging that the risk of contracting Coronavirus on board an aircraft is regarded as low, “social distancing has been put in place across all flights.”

Our friends at US carrier Delta Air Lines also recently supplied this update around its new COVID-19 practices and policies for all flights through the end of June:

Reducing the total number of passengers per flight.
Blocking middle seats in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+ and Delta Premium Select.
Modifying boarding process so customers will now be boarded by row, starting from the rear of the aircraft.

For information about how your favourite airlines are dealing with social distancing and other parts of their services, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US for a chat.

We’d love to hear from you.

VELOCITY Program Redemptions Pause

April 21, 2020/in Airline News /by TEMP_@dm1n

Following the announcement that Virgin Australia has entered voluntary administration, the airline’s Velocity frequent flyer program—a separate business—has announced a decision to pause all redemptions for an initial period of four weeks, effective immediately.

Velocity’s media release [21 April 2020] stated,

“Although Velocity is owned by the Virgin Australia Group, it is a separate company and it is not in administration. That means we’re still operating, but we’ve made some temporary program changes in the interests of members.”

Velocity Frequent Flyer update [21 April 2020]

The decision was made, according to Velocity, because the ongoing travel restrictions have reduced flights and, therefore, opportunities for Velocity members to redeem their points for flights. As a result, members have rushed to use their points to shop online for items like gift cards, electronic goods, and wine.

“This unexpected demand has made it difficult for our suppliers to provide these offers and limits the availability for all members to redeem their Points.”

Velocity Frequent Flyer update [21 April 2020]

Velocity members have been advised that:

Their Points will remain in their accounts.
Their existing Points will not expire through this period. The expiration period for existing Points will be extended by the timeframe of the pause.
They will continue to earn Points with Velocity partners, even though they won’t be able to redeem them during the pause.

These changes take effect immediately. Although the initial timeframe for this restriction is four weeks, Velocity Members have been advised that this period may be extended.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you.

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA Enters Voluntary Administration

April 21, 2020/in Airline News /by TEMP_@dm1n

The Virgin Australia Holdings Limited Board of Directors has appointed Deloitte as voluntary administrators of the company and a number of its subsidiaries.

The airline advised that it has entered voluntary administration to “recapitalise the business and help ensure it emerges in a stronger financial position on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis.”

“We feel for our friends at Virgin Australia, and wish them well as the airline navigates its way through the headwinds of administration and beyond. This is a disappointing moment for Virgin Australia and travel industry more broadly. Australia needs two robust, competitive airlines. We’re hopeful that this process delivers that.”

The Travel Authority Group’s CEO, Peter Hosper.

Virgin Australia will continue to operate its scheduled international and domestic flights which are helping to transport essential workers, maintain important freight corridors, and return Australians home.

Administrator, Vaughan Strawbridge, said: “Our intention is to undertake a process to restructure and re-finance the business and bring it out of administration as soon as possible.

“We have commenced a process of seeking interest from parties for participation in the recapitalisation of the business and its future, and there have been several expressions of interest so far,” Strawbridge added.

Velocity Frequent Flyer, while owned by the Group, is a separate company and is not in administration.

“Our decision today is about securing the future of the Virgin Australia Group and emerging on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis.”

Virgin Australia Group Chief Executive Officer, Paul Scurrah.

“In 20 years, the Virgin Australia Group has earned its place as part of the fabric of Australia’s tourism industry. We employ more than 10,000 people and a further 6,000 indirectly, fly to 41 destinations including major cities and regional communities, have more than 10 million members of our Velocity loyalty program, and contribute around $11 billion to the Australian economy every year,” said Mr Scurrah.

“Australia needs a second airline and we are determined to keep flying. Virgin Australia will play a vital role in getting the Australian economy back on its feet after the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring the country has access to competitive and high-quality air travel.”

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you.

MINIMAL Domestic Schedules to Commence

April 16, 2020/in Airline News /by TEMP_@dm1n

On the back of confirmation that services will be underwritten by the federal government, both Qantas and Virgin Australia have announced the commencement of minimal domestic schedules.

Both airlines’ minimal schedules commence on Friday 17 April, and at this stage are expected to operate for a period of eight weeks, until 07 June 2020.

The government-underwritten flights will transport passengers and keep important freight corridors open during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re delighted to see these services take to the sky again. It’s a positive step in the right direction for an otherwise grounded industry.”

The Travel Authority Group’s CEO, Peter Hosper.

In a statement, Virgin Australia said, “The minimal domestic schedule will enable Virgin Australia to reinstate some of its stood down flight, cabin and ground crew, along with other operational team members.”

Virgin Australia’s minimal schedule will operate 64 return services each week between Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth.
Qantas and Jetstar’s flights will increase from 105 per week currently to 164 per week to all capital cities and 36 regional destinations around the country.

Describing its services, Qantas said that, “While the risk of contracting Coronavirus on board an aircraft is regarded as low, social distancing has been put in place across all flights. Similarly, on-board service will be a scaled back version of what would normally apply, with cabin crew focused on in-flight safety and they will wear personal protective equipment.”

The Travel Authority Group will continue to monitor and report on updated airline schedules as they are announced.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you.

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