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Virgin Australia has paid homage to its origins with a Virgin Blue-inspired livery for its 150th Boeing 737 aircraft since launching more than 25 years ago.
The 737 MAX 8, VH-8VI “Lake Centenary”, is Virgin’s 16th aircraft in the 737 MAX family, and the 100th 737 in its current fleet. Virgin is expecting 12 MAX 8s to join the fleet in 2026, as well as four Embraer E190-E2s for Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, the first having arrived last year.
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“Virgin Australia is in the strongest position it has been in over the past 25 years, and we are using that momentum to keep investing in our future,” chief executive Dave Emerson said.
“The Boeing 737-8 is central to our fleet renewal and growth program, which is one of the most important investments we are making in the company.”
Virgin Blue began operations in August 2000 with a pair of 737-400 aircraft flying between Brisbane and Sydney, and rebranded to Virgin Australia in 2011.
VH-8VI, having left the Boeing factory in Seattle, will now undergo testing before being ferried to Brisbane in April, where it will begin operating on domestic and short-haul international services. Virgin introduced its first 737 MAX 8, VH-8IA “Monkey Mia”, in 2023.
“It comes at an important time, ensuring we have the right fleet to support our continued domestic and short-haul international growth while operating efficiently in a dynamic environment,” Emerson said.
“The Boeing 737-8 delivers around 19 per cent better fuel efficiency and is 50 per cent quieter than the previous-generation 737-800, benefiting both our customers and the communities we serve.
“Operating a more fuel-efficient fleet helps us optimise fuel use and manage costs, and remains our most effective decarbonisation lever in the short to medium term.
“A newer fleet is also supporting a stable and reliable schedule, with Virgin Australia consistently recording the lowest cancellation rate among major Australian airlines.”
Virgin Australia had also ordered 25 of the larger 737 MAX 10s to augment its Boeing fleet, but shifted 12 of these orders to MAX 8s in September 2024 because the MAX 10 had not yet received certification. The change brought Virgin’s total MAX 8 order from 14 to 26.
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