Starting June 28, 2023, Virgin Australia will launch first-ever direct daily return service between Cairns and Tokyo-Haneda. To celebrate the new route, Economy Lite return fares are available from $699 through December 20, 2022.
On Wednesday (December 14, 2022), Virgin Australia announced that they will launch first-ever daily return service between Cairns Airport and Tokyo-Haneda starting June 28, 2023. The route will be operated with a new Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft and is being launched in partnership with the Queensland Government and Cairns Airport through the Queensland Government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund. Celebrating the new route, Virgin Australia has launched a 'Hello Tokyo' sale with Economy Lite return fares available from only $699 through December 20, 2022, or until sold out. Virgin Australia also currently offers direct daily service between Cairns and major capital cities including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
In Wednesday’s announcement, Virgin Australia Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Jayne Hrdlicka, said,
“I’m thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new daily, year-round Cairns-Haneda service with VA77 taking off on 28 June next year. We’re excited to offer our guests access directly into and out of Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, on new fuel-efficient aircraft. Virgin Australia is a proud Queensland company and we’re delighted to add over 2,000 seats between these iconic destinations every week which means more value and choice for Australians wanting to travel to Japan. Importantly, it also means welcoming more Japanese tourists into the Sunshine State to enjoy our unrivalled natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands.
“We know the Japanese market is hugely important to trade and tourism in Far North Queensland and the Sunshine State and our service will result in more international visitors arriving in Cairns every year, having a very positive impact on the State’s economy.”
Also commenting on the new Tokyo-Haneda route, Cairns Airport’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Olsen, said,
“Today’s announcement is a huge development for our region’s tourism industry and economy as we continue our post-COVID recovery. It is also further evidence that long-range, narrow body aircraft such as the 737-8 are game changers for our region, bringing destinations such as Japan closer with more cost-effective and fuel-efficient operations.”
Starting June 28, 2023, subject to regulatory approval, Virgin Australia Flight VA77 will depart Cairns at 13:15 and arrive at Tokyo-Haneda at 20:00. The return Flight, VA78 will depart Tokyo at 21:45 and arrive back in Cairns at 06:15+1. The flight time on the route between Cairns and Tokyo-Haneda is approximately 7 hours and 45 minutes. Guests traveling to Tokyo on Virgin Australia’s new Boeing 737-8 MAX can select between Economy, Economy X (extra legroom) or Business Class seating.
Founded in 2000 by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Australia operates an extensive domestic network as well as international short-haul, charter and cargo services, along with their award-winning loyalty program, Velocity Frequent Flyer. The Group employs over 6,000 team members and has been a competitor in the Australian aviation landscape for the last 22 years. Virgin Australia offers three seating choices including Business Class, Economy X (extra legroom) and Economy. Since November 2020, the carrier has been incrementally increasing their Boeing 737 fleet by nearly 60 percent, from 58 to 92 airplanes, including the addition of fuel-efficient 737-8 MAX aircraft. The company will also add an additional 10 aircraft in 2023.
Source: Virgin Australia