Virgin Australia has launched direct flights between Melbourne and Los Angeles, bringing its world-renowned business class, The Business, to the route for the first time.

Flight VA23, operated by the airline’s flagship Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, departs Melbourne (MEL on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, at 11:30 to arrive in Los Angeles (LAX) at 09:00. Return flight VA24 takes off from LAX at 20:55 to land in Melbourne at 05:45, every Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. All times local.

“Los Angeles and North America is an important market for us and through our partnership with Delta Air Lines, we offer passengers 25 return flights per week across the Pacific and remain the only trans-Pacific alliance to offer Business Class guests lie-flat beds with direct aisle access on all services,” says John Thomas, group executive Virgin Australia Airlines. “Delta will also codeshare on our Melbourne services, and passengers can earn Velocity Points and Status Credits, have their baggage checked through, and enjoy reciprocal frequent flyer benefits on the ground.”

Key features of The Business on Virgin Australia’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft include 37 individual and private suites that convert into the length of a queen size bed at 80 inches; reverse herringbone cabin layout, maximising privacy and enabling 100 percent direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 configuration; and generous side console area which provides ample space to work and store personal items, with the addition of a bedside amenity nook for easy access while resting.

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