Virgin Australia is patiently waiting for its new Boeing 737 MAX 8s, with the airline expecting its first delivery this April. These aircraft will feature the airline's new business and economy class cabins.

The Australian airline has eight of the aircraft on order. With recently announcing its direct flight from Cairns to Tokyo Haneda, it is expected that one of the aircraft will be dedicated to the route, leaving seven more for key domestic operations.

In a statement to Executive Traveller, a spokesperson for Virgin Australia commented:

“We are looking forward to taking delivery of eight new 737-8 aircraft, with the first expected to arrive in just a few months.”

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Delivery schedule

Initially expecting deliveries in February, the arrival date of its first MAX 8 is now slated for April. With Cairns - Tokyo Haneda poised to commence June 28, this will allow the airline to familiarise itself with the new aircraft before its long-haul launch. Two further deliveries are expected ''mid-year'', with the last five aircraft from the order scheduled to arrive from Q4 onwards.

Virgin Australia MAX
Photo: Boeing

Hopeful of new international destinations

With the airline scaling back most international operations in the wake of COVID-19 and subsequent restructuring, Virgin fans will rejoice as the airline aims to introduce new global connections. Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer Jayne Hrdlicka stated the potential of these aircraft:

“It will do a great job for us transcontinental, it’ll do a great job for us in more traditional short-haul international routes”

As previously reported by Virgin Australia in August, the airline has secured access to a full 737NG simulator in Perth, representing a 25% increase in training capacity. Western Australia is home to more than 200 pilots for the airline and is now able to continue training on home soil.

Virgin Australia will launch a Boeing 737 MAX 8 route from Cairns to Tokyo
Photo: Peter Gudella | Shutterstock

Access to the simulator has been made possible through a partnership with global aviation training provider CAE, with access to the facility until April.

Returning to Samoa and Vanuatu

As Virgin Australia starts to rebuild its international network, it is starting in its own region. The airline has announced plans to launch routes to Vanuatu and Samoa, as listed below:

Vanuatu

  • Brisbane International Airport (BNE) to Port Vila Bauerfield International Airport (VLI)
    • Commencing March 10, the airline will operate five times weekly, departing on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
    • Weekend services will be paused over May / June

Samoa

  • Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Apia Faleolo International Airport (APW)
    • Commencing March 21, the airline will operate twice weekly, departing on Tuesday and Saturday. The airline has noted that the service may increase to three times weekly but not yet scheduled.

  • Brisbane International Airport (BNE) to Apia Faleolo International Airport (APW)
    • Commencing March 23, the airline will operate twice weekly, departing on Thursday and Sunday.

These routes will be operated with the airline's Boeing 737 fleet, offering business class, 'Economy X', and regular economy.

With Samoa and Vanuatu joining the route map again, these will complement the airline's existing international services to Bali, Queenstown, and its upcoming Tokyo service.

Virgin is relaunching services post the pandemic shutdown.
Photo: Ryan Fletcher/Shutterstock

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Sources: Executive Traveller, Virgin Australia, Boeing

  • 787-8 Dreamliner
    Boeing
    Stock Code:
    BA
    Date Founded:
    1916-07-15
    CEO:
    Dave Calhoun
    Headquarters Location:
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    Key Product Lines:
    Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787
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