Virgin Australia flat out in business class upgrade

Virgin Australia expects to move into its long-delayed new Perth terminal by the end of November.

Virgin Australia expects to move into its long-delayed new Perth terminal by the end of November as it ramps up business class competition on transcontinental routes with the introduction of world-beating lie-flat seats on its widebody aircraft.

Virgin yesterday introduced what it touted as world’s most comfortable domestic business class seat, due to be installed on its entire Airbus A330 fleet by the end of October and on its ­international Boeing 777s from November.

The customised seat is advertised as the world’s longest and widest lie-flat bed in domestic business class, and is configured in a reverse herringbone cabin layout, with a 1-2-1 configuration that maximises privacy while allowing direct aisle access.

Other features include space to store tablets, a 16-inch high definition touch screen, a work area and a retractable privacy screen.

The upgrade is accompanied by Luke Magnan-designed food, fine wines and a world-first Nespresso service designed to overcome the disadvantages of making coffee at altitude.

Mr Borghetti predicted the new seat would appeal to domestic customers and boost business on the Pacific when it is introduced on the bigger 777s.

“To be able to stand up and say this is the best domestic class ­service offered by any airline, out any of any domestic terminal anywhere in the world is a pretty big statement,’’ he said.

“But I’m still confident that I can also say that once we have it on the 777 it’ll be the best business class on the Pacific.’’

The airline also expects a boost from the move into the new Perth terminal next to the international and intra-West Australian terminals.

It had expected to be in the new terminal last year but delays meant its operations remained split between the international and domestic precincts

Mr Borghetti said he had been told the airline would be able to move into the new terminal in late November.

“I was there about a month or so ago and I went for a tour of the building site and our lounges were almost finished then but the ­terminal obviously was still under construction,’’ he said. “So we’re ready when the terminal is handed over.’’

The Virgin chief promised that the airline’s fares would remain competitive and said he had no doubt he would fill the improved cabin, which now hosts 20 seats compared to 24 previously.

He said the transcontinental routes had been improving constantly over recent years as the airline enhanced its product and won more accounts in Western ­Australia.

It had also benefited from its purchase of Perth-based Skywest.

Mr Borghetti was happy with their performance despite the downturn in the resources boom and the airline had no intention of following Qantas and withdrawing A330 services.

Asked about the economy in general, Mr Borghetti said it ­appeared it have plateaued in recent months after a period of softness and there were some signs of improvement.

“Now whether they will last or not, who knows.’’

“But certainly on the east coast we’re seeing signs of a little bit more confidence in the market and that’s a good thing,’’ Mr Borghetti said.