Virgin Australia today launched its inaugural flight between Sydney and Hong Kong, with Australian media personality Dannii Minogue leading a convoy of drummers and lion dancers through Sydney International airport. 

Flight VA83, operated by Virgin Australia's A330–200 aircraft departed Sydney at 10:00am and is due to land in Hong Kong at 5.40pm, with a number of VIP guests on board including: 

• • Virgin Australia CEO and Managing Director, John Borghetti A.O 
• • The Hon. Michael McCormack, MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport 
• • Hong Kong Tourism Board Regional Director, Andrew Clark. 

On board entertainment 

On board the inaugural flight, Virgin Australia's resident chef, Luke Mangan, welcomed business class guests with a signature cocktail called The Australian, blending fresh lemongrass and ginger with kaffir lime to create a melting pot of Asian flavours. All guests were treated to a special Hong Kong inspired ice cream flavour, mango pancake, created by local Australian artisanal ice creamery, Gundowring and a pair of Sydney – Hong Kong branded slippers. 

Celebrations in the Lounge 

To celebrate the new Hong Kong service, the Virgin Australia Sydney Domestic Lounge will also be serving the following Asian-themed menu items until Friday 6 July: 

• • Dim Sum station between 12pm-2pm with a selection of steamed and fried dim sum; 
• • Crispy battered sweet and sour pork and special fried rice between 5.30-7.30pm; 
• • Daily house baked traditional egg tarts; and a 
• • Green tea station. 

Product and pricing information 

Virgin Australia operates daily services between Sydney and Hong Kong, utilising its Airbus A330-200 fleet which features 20 award-winning Business Class suites, in 'The Business' in a 1-2-1 configuration, as well as 255 economy seats in a 2-4-2 configuration. 

For guests departing Sydney and Melbourne, eligible guests are permitted entry into the Etihad First & Business Class Lounge. In Hong Kong, Business Class guests as well as eligible members of Virgin Australia's award-winning loyalty program Velocity Frequent Flyer are granted entry into Hong Kong Airline's Club Autus Lounge located in the Midfield Concourse on Level 7 of Hong Kong International Airport as well as Hainan Airlines' operated Lounges in Beijing T1, Xi'an, Guangzhou, Urumqi, Taiyuan and Haikou. 

1 x Economy seat – from $575 + taxes and fees 

1 x Economy X seat – from $600 + taxes and fees 

1 x Business Class seat – from $2,300 + taxes and fees 

Media contacts: 

Virgin Australia Public Affairs 1800 142 467 publicaffairs@virginaustralia.com