{"id":15218,"date":"2011-06-22T07:00:50","date_gmt":"2011-06-22T12:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=15218"},"modified":"2016-12-15T10:46:17","modified_gmt":"2016-12-15T16:46:17","slug":"australia-airlines-airline-competition-means-new-options-in-australia-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2011\/06\/australia-airlines-airline-competition-means-new-options-in-australia-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Airline competition means new options in Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Virgin Australia, formerly Virgin Blue, is pumping $35 million into plane and frequent flier revamps.<\/p><\/div>\n

By Mark Chesnut <\/em><\/p>\n

As competition heats up between two high-profile airlines in Australia, business travelers \u2014 as well as anyone planning an Australia vacation<\/a> \u2014 are the beneficiaries, with a slew of new amenities and travel options.<\/p>\n

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In May, Virgin Blue \u2014 an airline that carries the high-profile \u201cVirgin\u201d name founded by Sir Richard Branson \u2013\u00a0 rebranded itself as Virgin Australia, as part of a makeover designed to attract very frequent fliers. The Sydney-based carrier is spending some $35 million on new cabins, livery, uniforms and a revamped frequent flyer program. Its affiliated airlines, V Australia<\/a> and Pacific Blue, will take the new name before the end of the year. In addition, Virgin Australia inked a long-term partnership in June with Singapore Airlines that includes codesharing and reciprocal frequent flyer and lounge access benefits; this follows a similar partnership announced in May with Air New Zealand<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Qantas has also stepped up its efforts to target front-of-cabin travelers. The company has introduced its international-style business class service on some domestic routes, using widebody 747 and A330 aircraft. The airline has also revamped its frequent flier program with new features that reward elite-level flyers, including a new status level and increased bonus points for traveling in premium economy, business and first class. As of June, members of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program also have access to wine, dinner invitations with celebrity chefs and additional opportunities to earn points, as part of epiQure, a new members-only online community. In May, the airline began nonstop service linking Australia with Dallas\/Fort Worth, as part of a new strategic partnership with American Airlines.<\/p>\n

Related resources<\/strong><\/p>\n