Who wants more flights to Tokyo? Marking its first-ever foray into Japan, Virgin Australia today launches its inaugural Cairns-Tokyo Haneda flights.
The daily Virgin Australia service, which will connect North Queensland and Tokyo Haneda for the first time, will provide more than 2,000 seats on the route each week.
Launched with the help of the Queensland Government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF), the service also marks the return of Virgin flights to Asia, beyond Bali.
Flight VA77 departs Cairns at 1.15pm and arrives in Tokyo at 8pm, while VA78 leaves Tokyo at 9.45pm for a 6.15am touchdown in Cairns.
Virgin will initially operate its B737-700 on the route, before switching over in late July to the carrier’s new B737-8 MAX aircraft, the first of which VA took delivery of today.
To celebrate the first departure, Virgin Australia hosted a destination-themed event at Cairns Airport, comprising a karaoke booth and J-pop dance performances, bubble tea incorporating FNQ flavours, and gifts for departing passengers including slippers and origami kits.
To mark the new service, Virgin Australia has also introduced new Japanese-inspired business and economy cabin menus – exclusive to Cairns-Haneda flights – which will include a Japanese bento box, pan-fried dumplings, miso soup, green tea cake, and popular local snacks.
More “value and choice”
Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO and Japan Services Representative Nick Rohrlach said the launch of the Cairns-Haneda service “means Australian travellers will benefit from greater value and choice when flying to Japan as we expand our international footprint”.
“We know that Cairns has consistently ranked as one of the most popular tourist destinations among Japanese visitors to Australia and we are thrilled to unlock a new convenient gateway for Japanese travellers to explore all Far North Queensland has to offer, while injecting a welcome boost of tourism into the region,” he stated.
“Today is also a significant day for Velocity members who can now earn and redeem Points when travelling to over 500 destinations around the world with Virgin Australia and our partner airlines.”
What awaits flyers
Rohrlach also talked up the inflight experience, which would bring a slice of Japan to flyers before they touch down in Tokyo.
“Travellers can expect to find delicious Japanese-inspired dishes like a bento box, dumplings, miso soup, noodles and curries, along with some tried and tested Western meals, when flying on our Tokyo services. We have something to suit all tastebuds,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Cairns Airport chief operating officer Garry Porter flagged the potential for a boost to two-way tourism.
“With the mild winter weather in Tropical North Queensland our region offers the perfect backdrop for visitors to enjoy our natural attractions and cultural experiences, everything the Japanese enjoy,” he said.
“It has been more than a decade since we had a full-service carrier servicing the route from Tokyo to Cairns, and that coincided with peak Japanese visitation, which is a great indication of the potential of these new flights.
“With Virgin Australia’s extensive domestic network in Cairns we also expect to see travellers from southern states opt to travel via Cairns to visit Japan, especially during the Japanese winter ski season, which is always a drawcard for Aussie winter sport enthusiasts.”
Virgin has also unveiled its Take off for Tokyo sale today, which offers Economy Lite fares from $699. Sale fares are available until midnight (AEST) 4 July 2023 (unless sold out prior).
