BY JAMES WILKINSON

Virgin Australia has inaugurated widebody domestic services between Sydney and Perth utilising the airline’s new Airbus A330 fleet.

Virgin Australia’s Airbus A330

The move from the former low-cost carrier signals the first time since the demise of Ansett a decade ago that two airlines have been operated Business Class on flights across the Nullabor.

The Business Class cabin on the A330 features seats with a 62-inch pitch, seat back entertainment, amenity kits (on flights over three hours) and a premium food menu created by star chef Luke Mangan.

Virgin Australia Group Executive Commercial Liz Savage said the new product offering represented a new era for the company.

“This Airbus A330 aircraft named Cable Beach is fitted out with new designer Economy and Business cabins developed by Creative Director Hans Hulsbosch,” she said.

Savage said the A330 flights would complement the existing Boeing 737 services.

 “From July we will operate a three times daily service, providing a total of more than 33,000 seats each week between Sydney and Perth,” she said

“The service commences from Sydney to Perth on 26 May 2011 with an 8.00am departure followed by a 1.00pm departure from Perth later that day.”

Virgin Australia airfares start from $219 one way in economy and $1399 in Business.