Virgin Blue /

Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd, formerly Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd, is Australia's second-largest airline as well as the largest by fleet size to utilise the Virgin brand. Now based in Bowen Hills, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, the airline was founded by British businessman Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group. It was established in 2000 with two aircraft operating on a single route, and suddenly found itself catapulted to the position of Australia's second airline after the collapse of Ansett Australia in September 2001. The airline has grown to directly serve 29 cities in Australia; with hubs at Brisbane Airport, Sydney Airport and Melbourne Airport; using a fleet of narrow-body Boeing and Embraer jets and Airbus widebody jets. After several years operating as a low-cost carrier it improved its services to become a so-called (self-described) "new world carrier" - essentially a business model with aspects of the "no frills" approach of low-cost carriers but offering services more in line with full-service airlines - in order to compete more effectively with Qantas in the business travel market. In 2011 it took the strategy further with new uniforms; new catering on board;