The world’s leading online travel company announced a long term global agreement with Virgin Blue and its new international airline, V-Australia.
The deal marks Expedias first global airline agreement in Australia, and the first global distribution agreement for either airline with an online travel company.
Under the agreement, Virgin Blue and V-Australia flights will be available to customers on all Expedia(R)-branded sites worldwide, including Expedia.com.au in Australia and Expedia.com in the U.S., and on U.S. discount travel site Hotwire(R).
The flights will also be available to business travelers through travel management leader Egencia, which launched its full-service corporate travel offering in Australia last year.
The agreement also provides marketing exposure for Virgin Blue and V Australia through
Expedia(R) Media Solutions, the advertising sales division of Expedia, Inc. The airlines
will run media campaigns on Expedia sites aimed at helping differentiate their brands for the millions of customers who shop on Expedia sites worldwide.
"Were pleased to be a part of the international growth strategies of Virgin Blue and V-Australia, said Cyril Ranque, vice president, Expedia Partner Services Group Asia Pacific. Working with these airlines gives Expedia the chance to experience firsthand the innovative character of the Virgin brand, which they demonstrate in both their approach to air travel, and in how they market their flights to travelers.
Launched in February, V-Australia offers direct flights between Sydney and Los Angeles, with plans to launch similar nonstop service to Los Angeles from Brisbane and Melbourne. Virgin Blue, its sister airline, is a leading provider of flights to 29 destinations across Australia.
Expedias consumer reach and understanding of global travel demand make it a great partner to help build on Virgin Blues success in Australia, and extend the V-Australia brand to travelers looking for a fresh choice in long-haul air travel between Australia and the U.S., said Mathias
Freiss, General Manager, Sales, Virgin Blue Group.
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