LiamR
Established Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2010
- Posts
- 2,632
Has anybody heard about this?
Brand Change | Virgin Australia
Brand Change | Virgin Australia
[h=3]We're changing our name and we look forward to welcoming you to the new Virgin Australia.[/h]In the coming weeks, our international airlines V Australia and Pacific Blue will be relaunched as Virgin Australia.
It is another exciting step we're taking towards our vision of becoming Australia's airline of choice.
Please be assured there will not be any changes to your travel booking as a result of the relaunch, however there will be some changes to the look and feel of the airline, including:
Therefore, if you are flying V Australia, Pacific Blue or Polynesian Blue, please check the flight information displays for the correct check-in desk and flight number when you arrive at the airport. Directional signage and our friendly ground crew will be there to help you on your journey.
- Fresh new Virgin Australia signage at our international ports
- New-look travel documents
- One consolidated Virgin Australia website where you can make bookings for all of our airlines
We are looking forward to bringing you an exceptional, seamless experience as we continue to roll out our new look and feel across our aircraft, lounges and terminals in the months ahead.
For more information, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions below.
[h=3]Frequently Asked Questions[/h]Q: Why are the V Australia, Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue brands changing?
A: In 2000, the Virgin brand entered the Australian aviation market for the first time, bringing competition to the leisure sector of the market. Ten years later, we are now repositioning ourselves to become the airline of choice for all market segments.
Launching the new Virgin Australia brand across our domestic and international operations is a key part of this repositioning. Having one brand allows us to build global recognition and to represent the seamless first-rate travel experience that guests will receive on all of our services.
Q: What is changing in December 2011?
A: The change in name for the airlines, V Australia, Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue will be reflected, over time, in updated airport signage, itineraries and flight documents, website and other forms of collateral. The program will continue to be rolled out during 2012 and we have some further exciting product and service initiatives to come.
The following will change in December 2011:
- The domestic operations will be referred to as ‘Virgin Australia – domestic’ in certain forms of collateral.
- The operations currently covered by Pacific Blue (NZ), Pacific Blue (Aust) and Polynesian Blue will be referred to as ‘Virgin Australia – international short haul’ in certain forms of collateral.
- The operations currently covered by V Australia will be referred to as ‘Virgin Australia – international long haul’ in certain forms of collateral.
- Polynesian Blue Ltd will be renamed (name to be announced).
Q: What isn’t changing?
- The V Australia, Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue URLS will be replaced with a single URL: www.virginaustralia.comhttp://www.virginaustralia.com/
A: The following will NOT change:
[h=3]Guest Service Experience[/h]Q: Will my experience on V Australia, Pacific Blue or Polynesian Blue change now that you have changed your name or will it still be the same service that I am used to?
- The Australian Company Numbers (ACN) and Australian Business Numbers (ABN) of the airlines will not change. This means that they are not new companies; they are the same companies with new names.
- The names and logos of Velocity Frequent Flyer and Blue Holidays.
- The use of the Virgin Australia brand in the domestic environment.
- The arrangement between the Virgin Australia group of airlines and the Samoan Government for the management of Polynesian Blue.
A: We will still provide the high level of service for which Virgin Australia [V Australia, Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue] is renowned. We are overhauling the experience in the air and on the ground to provide a more seamless, comfortable experience for all guests.
Q: Will all references to V Australia, Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue be removed on the launch day?
A: No, it will not be possible to change over all items on the day to the new brand. While all key collateral, such as itineraries and boarding passes, will change over on the launch day, there will be some items that are part of a larger program, such as airports and aircraft repainting, which will be rebranded over a period of time.
Q: As a traveller on an international flight, will I be able to clearly find my way to the correct check-in gates during the changeover period?
A: To counter any possible uncertainty, way-finding signage will be placed in international ports displaying all the current logos for V Australia, Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue and the Virgin Australia logo. Guests will be reminded to check the Flight Information Displays to ensure they approach the correct check-in desk. Ground Operations staff at airports will also be ready to assist during the changeover period.
Q: As a traveller or Velocity member, will I be notified of the upcoming changes?
A: Yes, all guests who have an existing booking, guests who book flights with Virgin Australia and all Velocity members will be advised via email that the brands will be changing in December. This will be supported by banners on the website, redirect messages from the existing websites, informative signage at airports and formal media releases.
Q: I am seeing some planes which still state Virgin Blue, V Australia, Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue; will these be changed to reflect the new name?
A: Yes, our aircraft will have new livery with the entire fleet scheduled to be completed within 4 years.
Q: Why will it take 4 years to change the livery on the entire fleet?
A:Virgin Australia has scheduled new livery and interior changes over an extended period to minimise the operational impact for our Guests and keep up with demand to have our aircraft in the air. Additionally, we’re upgrading our fleet with new aircraft over the next four years, which will be delivered with new interiors and livery.
Q: Are my current bookings on V Australia, Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue flights still valid?
A: Yes, all flights booked with the Virgin Australia group of airlines will remain valid.
Q: Will your fares increase to pay for the change?
A: No, we are committed to maintaining competitive airfares and we have factored the costs into our budgets.
Q: Does this mean you are no longer a low cost carrier?
A: Virgin Australia will continue to offer great value fares in economy class. Introducing Business Class will allow us to offer more choice to Australian travellers, bringing competition back to business travel.
Q: Do the Velocity Points or Status Credit earn rates for V Australia, Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue change with the change to the brand?
A. No, all earn rates remain the same following the rebrand.
Q: Can I earn Velocity Points on the airline replacing Polynesian Blue?
A. Yes, Velocity Points and Status Credits can still be earned.
Q: I am a Velocity Gold and accessed the Koru club when flying Pacific Blue between New Zealand and Australia. Do I still have access now that Pacific Blue is known as Virgin Australia?
A. Yes, you can still access the Koru Club when travelling on Virgin Australia between Australia and New Zealand. Access is not permitted when flying to and from other Pacific Blue destinations.
Q: Will Velocity Members now be able to use points to upgrade to Virgin Australia international long haul flights?
A. No, upgrades will continue to only be available on eligible Virgin Australia domestic and Virgin Australia international short haul flights (formerly known as Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue).
[h=3]Contacting Us[/h]Q: Will the contact number to the Guest Contact Centre change?
A: Some of the international numbers for the Guest Contact Centre will change to the current Virgin Australia number. However, for a short time, calls to the existing numbers for Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue, will be redirected.
One Brand Guest Contact Centre details from December 2011
[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TH="width: 91, bgcolor: #A5ACB0"]Virgin Australia
[/TH]
[TH="width: 293, bgcolor: #A5ACB0"]If calling from...[/TH]
[TH="width: 175, bgcolor: #A5ACB0"]Contact Number[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="width: 293, bgcolor: transparent"]Australia (all airlines)[/TD]
[TD="width: 175, bgcolor: transparent"]13 67 89[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="width: 293, bgcolor: transparent"]New Zealand[/TD]
[TD="width: 175, bgcolor: transparent"]0800 67 0000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="width: 293, bgcolor: transparent"]United States of America[/TD]
[TD="width: 175, bgcolor: transparent"]1-800 444 0260[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="width: 293, bgcolor: transparent"]United Arab Emirates[/TD]
[TD="width: 175, bgcolor: transparent"]8000 170 050[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="width: 293, bgcolor: transparent"]United Kingdom[/TD]
[TD="width: 175, bgcolor: transparent"]0843 104 7777[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="width: 293, bgcolor: transparent"]South Africa **
(**being decommissioned on 22nd Feb 2012)[/TD]
[TD="width: 175, bgcolor: transparent"]+27 11 461 6444[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="width: 293, bgcolor: transparent"]Anywhere else in the world[/TD]
[TD="width: 175, bgcolor: transparent"]+61 7 3295 2296[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Q: Will your website address change?
A:Yes, you will find information and be able to make bookings on all our airlines from the Virgin Australia website www.virginaustralia.com
Q: What do I need to do to tweet to you via Twitter?
A: Our airline Twitter account is @virginaustralia, and for those in New Zealand, they can tweet to @virginaustraliaNZ
Q: Where do I watch Virgin Australia on YouTube?
A:Our Youtube channel can be found at youtube.com/virginaustralia
Q: Will there be any changes to your Facebook pages?
A:Yes, there will be a new look to our Facebook pages with areas tailored for our audiences in New Zealand and USA
Q: Do you have a Google+ page?
A:Yes we do. Just Google search for Virgin Australia.
Or enter this link into your web browser http://plus.google.com/105888846306683033614/posts
Q: I have the [V Australia, Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue] website saved in my favourites, will this still work?
A: Yes, you will automatically be redirected to the virgin.australia.com website however should save the new web address to your favourites.
Q: Who should I contact if I have any questions relating to the new name and brand?
24-hour media enquiries: 1800 142 467 (within Australia) or +61 7 3333 9666 (International) or you can make an online enquiry via our Contact Us page on our website.
