NEW ROUTE: Virgin expands greater China presence
Virgin Australia has launched its inaugural flight between Sydney and Hong Kong, further expanding the airline’s international network and Greater China presence.
The launch kicked off with Dannii Minogue leading a convoy of drummers and lion dancers through Sydney International airport!
The VA83 flight, operated by Virgin Australia’s A330–200 aircraft departed Sydney at 10:00 am on Monday and landed in Hong Kong at 5.40 pm, with a number of VIP guests on board including Virgin Australia CEO and Managing Director, John Borghetti A.O, The Hon. Michael McCormack, MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Hong Kong Tourism Board Regional Director, Andrew Clark.
“Hong Kong is an important gateway to China, which is Australia’s most valuable and largest inbound tourism market,” Borghetti said.
“Through our Hong Kong services and world-class alliance partners, we’re able to capitalise on this growth, which has positive flow on effects to our domestic network and the Australian economy.
“Guests can now travel beyond Hong Kong to 17 destinations within China with Hong Kong Airlines and Hainan Airlines or to London via our codeshare partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airways.
“Virgin Australia is proud to bring more competition, value and choice to Australians with our new Sydney to Hong Kong daily service.”
The flight now operate daily between Sydney and Hong Kong, utilising its Airbus A330-200 fleet which features 20 award-winning Business Class suites, in ‘The Business’ in a 1-2-1 configuration, as well as 255 economy seats in a 2-4-2 configuration.
For passengers departing Sydney and Melbourne, eligible guests are permitted entry into the Etihad First & Business Class Lounge. In Hong Kong, Business Class guests as well as eligible members of Virgin Australia’s award-winning loyalty program Velocity Frequent Flyer are granted entry into Hong Kong Airline’s Club Autus Lounge located in the Midfield Concourse on Level 7 of Hong Kong International Airport as well as Hainan Airlines’ operated Lounges in Beijing T1, Xi’an, Guangzhou, Urumqi, Taiyuan and Haikou.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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Amazing news! China is a great destination with so many beautiful places to discover. Looking forward to more cooperations like that!