Words by Carlie Tucker

Earlier this week, Virgin Australia announced they're reinstating non-stop flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles – a route previously serviced exclusively by Qantas and United Airlines. The new flights will commence on April 4, 2017, giving Virgin travellers from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne direct service to the US.

Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti said, "The United States is a key market for Virgin Australia and this enables us to service Los Angeles from the three biggest gateways in Australia.

In partnership with Delta Air Lines, we will soon offer 25 services each week from Australia to Los Angeles and remain the only trans-Pacific alliance to offer Business Class guests lie flat beds with direct aisle access on all services."

There will be five weekly flights offered from Melbourne, departing Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday onboard the airline's revamped Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which features the new 'The Business' cabins.

In an effort to accommodate the new changes, the airline will drop Brisbane services to Los Angeles from seven per week to six. Virgin will also cease flights between Sydney and Abu Dhabi as it also announces new plans to service the UAE destination via Perth. As of June 9, 2017, Virgin will offer three services per week between Perth and Abu Dhabi aboard the Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

"Our A330 aircraft will be deployed on a long-haul international route for the first time on flights between Perth and Abu Dhabi, which increases the number of services offered on the route from seven to 10 per week through our alliance with Etihad Airways."

Sydney based passengers will not be left out on the heels of the new Perth flights, as Etihad announces three new weekly services to Abu Dhabi commencing February 2017. This includes twice daily flights departing from Sydney.     

To book all of your Virgin Australia business flights, contact our FCBT Travel Managers on 1300 797 826.