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karatecatman · Guest

WA Today
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Virgin Atlantic has launched its service over the Pacific, allowing passengers to fly around the world on Sir Richard Branson's airline for the first time.

The V Australia service will connect Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with Los Angeles. It breaks the Qantas and United Airlines duopoly on flights between Australia and the United States. Virgin Atlantic celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

The airline will fly to Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Portland and Seattle from all Australian capital cities and other towns such as Albury, Canberra and Launceston.

Flights from Brisbane to Los Angeles commences on April 8 and from Melbourne to Los Angeles on September 15.

The launch party pics
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All smiles ... Branson shares a laugh with Virgin Blue Public Relation Manager Amanda Bolger / Reuters

Inside the aircraft
WA TODAY

Mile high, not dry ... V Australia's fully-stocked business class bar. Photo: Paul Sadler/Australian Aviation

Business class on V Australia Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft. Photo: Paul Sadler/Australian Aviation

Business class provides enough room for 40 lie-flat seats. Photo: Paul Sadler/Australian Aviation

V Australia's business class. Photo: Paul Sadler/Australian Aviation

Step on board Richard Branson's newest airline.
V Australia's 32 premium economy seats also provide sufficient room for business travellers to operate a workstation. Photo: Paul Sadler/Australian Aviation

The premium economy seats are comfortable and feature laptop power, USB slot and moveable reading light - as well as a separate bar. Photo: Paul Sadler/Australian Aviation

V Australia's premium economy class bar. Photo: Paul Sadler/Australian Aviation

While the 288 economy seats have less room than premium economy, at 18.8 inches wide they are the widest economy seats of any carrier offering flights across the Pacific, including the behemoth Airbus A380. Photo: Paul Sadler/Australian Aviation

V Australia economy class ... the airline is attempting to wrestle away Qantas' long-held claim over the national identity. Photo: Paul Sadler/Australian Aviation

The Boeing 777-300ER is the most fuel efficient aircraft, which V Australia believes will give it an edge over other trans-Pacific carriers. Photo: Paul Sadler/Australian Aviation