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Virgin Australia Deploys Milestone 150th Boeing 737 Family Aircraft in Special Retro Livery

Virgin Australia has announced the entry into service of their milestone 150th Boeing 737 Family aircraft.  To mark the occasion, the Boeing 737-8 MAX, ‘Lake Centenary,’ has been adorned with a stunning retro red livery.


Virgin Australia's 150th Boeing 737 Family Airplane, 'Centenary Lake,' a 737-8 MAX Featuring a Special Retro Livery - Courtesy Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia's 150th Boeing 737 Family Airplane, 'Centenary Lake,' a 737-8 MAX Featuring a Special Retro Livery - Courtesy Virgin Australia

On Monday (May 25, 2026), Virgin Australia announced the milestone entry into service of their milestone 150th Boeing 737 Family Aircraft.  To celebrate the occasion, the aircraft, ‘Lake Centenary,’ has been painted in a stunning retro red livery.  The biggest reveal is inside the cabin, where the names of over 8,000 Virgin Australia team members are proudly displayed on the overhead bins.  Lake Centenary is the 100th Boeing 737 in Virgin Australia’s current fleet and the 150th 737 delivered to the airline in the past 26 years.  Lake Centenary’s flew its first commercial service from Brisbane to Melbourne as VA308.


In Monday’s announcement, Virgin Australia Group’s CEO, Dave Emerson, said,


“Lake Centenary is the 100th Boeing 737 in our current fleet and marks a truly monumental milestone.  One that reflects just how far we have come since Virgin Blue launched in 2000 with just two aircraft, operating one route.  This aircraft is a celebration of our team.  Including their names is our way of recognising how important each and every one of them is to our journey.


“Lake Centenary also represents our continued investment in a more efficient and modern fleet. The 737-8 is approximately 19 per cent more fuel efficient than our existing 737-800s and around 50 per cent quieter, delivering meaningful reductions in both emissions and noise.  Fleet renewal is the most impactful lever we have to reduce our emissions in the short to medium term, while also improving operational efficiency and delivering a better experience for our guests.”


Also commenting on the arrival of Lake Centenary, Virgin Australia First Officer, Amy Dunn, added,


“It’s an incredible acknowledgement of the team to have our names printed on the overhead lockers of this very special aircraft. I have no doubt that Flight and Cabin Crew will be incredibly proud to operate this aircraft and will be lining up for the opportunity to fly on it.”


Introducing 'Lake Centenary' Virgin Australia's 150th Boeing 737 Family Airplane - Courtesy Virgin Australia


Additionally, Lake Centenary is the 17th new generation 737-8 MAX Family jet to join the fleet since the first, Monkey Mia, was delivered in June 2023.  Its arrival will also be celebrated at a special Virgin Australia Family Day at the Virgin Australia hangar in Brisbane in June.  As part of a longstanding tradition, Virgin Australia names their aircraft after Australian bodies of water, paying tribute to the country’s unique natural environment.  During 2026, Virgin Australia Group will welcome 12 737-8s, as well as four Embraer E190-E2s for Virgin Australia Regional Airlines.


 

Source: Virgin Australia

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