V Australia will fly from Sydney to Los Angeles from December 15 as Sir Richard Branson insisted the trans-Pacific route was in “dire need” of fresh competition.

Daily services will start on December 15 with flight VA001 departing Sydney at 9.45pm and arriving in the US at 4.30pm the same day. Return flights depart LA at 11.30pm local time, arriving 9.20am two days later. It will operate a three class service—international economy, business and premium economy.

Two more V Australia destinations will be unveiled in “coming weeks”.

Sir Richard Branson said: “The trans-Pacific route is in dire need of competition and a good shake up and that’s a challenge we are always keen to take on.”

Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey said the carrier had spent two years researching the project.

“Today’s announcements are the first of many and we have very intention of bringing revolutionary change not just to the trans-Pacific route but across the region,” he said.

V Australia’s every day return fares of $1899 are 16 per cent cheaper than the lowest available published fare for the same travel period, he added. Story courtesy of Travel Today