By James Wilkinson

Pacific Blue has launched flights between Perth and Phuket, the airline’s first Thailand destination and the first of three new services from the Virgin Blue Airlines Group to the resort town.

Flight attendants on board Pacific Blue’s launch flight

In late November, sister airline V Australia commences direct Brisbane-Phuket flights, followed by direct Melbourne services in early December – both in time for the peak summer season for Australian travellers.

Following the commencement of the V Australia flights, Phuket will become more accessible than ever from Australia, particularly when coupled by the direct flights also on offer from Jetstar and Thai Airways.

“Thailand is known as the ‘land of smiles’ and we have every intention of giving Perth travellers plenty of reasons to smile when it comes to being able to afford to holiday (or conference) in one of Asia’s most exotic hot spots,” said Virgin Blue Group CEO Brett Godfrey.

Pacific Blue’s twice-weekly flights are ideal for the MICE market and mean events can be held over three, seven or ten days. Tickets also only start from just $349 each way, including taxes.

Godfrey added that Virgin Blue would closely monitor demand for the new Phuket flights to determine future schedules and frequency increases based on support for the new services.