After much scientific testing, complicated measuring and grueling research, we've come to the very important conclusion that it is impossible to think Virgin Group main man Sir Richard Branson is anything but extremely awesome. C'mon—the man kite-boards with naked models, says he wants to build a spaceship and then actually does it, saves the world daily with his many charities, and yet still has time to sit down with us for a quick chat.

We last caught up with Sir Richard onboard Virgin America's inaugural flight to Chicago-O'Hare. As for all other monumental occasions in his family of Virgin brands, Branson donned a fun costume and parades around for the cameras, bursting with vim and vigor. This got us thinking. What costume, after all these years of dressing wacky for promotional stunts, does Richard really wish he could wear? So we asked him. ]]> JetSetCD 2011-06-30T09:48:26-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/4/11/74053/0534

There are plenty of Virgin brands within Richard Branson’s aviation world, from Virgin Atlantic to Virgin America to Virgin Blue; sometimes it’s hard to keep all of them straight. Virgin Blue is the domestic carrier that does its thing in and around Australia, but it looks like it’s getting a name upgrade to fall in line with the rest of the brands around the world.

The airline will be rebranded as Virgin Australia, not to be confused with the already existing long-haul Virgin carrier V Australia. The name change also involves a pending lawsuit requiring another virgin company in Australia—one that made bookmarks—to pick a different name. Already domain names and other advertising goodies have already changed hands, but if you travel over to virginaustralia.com.au it’s still blank. ]]> kjb 2011-04-11T11:06:33-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/11/10/744/52804

The best part of visiting Australia might just be found at the airport, that is if the folks at Virgin get their dreams to come true. Virgin Atlantic is thinking about building their first clubhouse down under, and it won’t just be one of their traditional airport lounges. Not only would it be their newest, but it could be the best, with new technology and extra space needed, as it will be available for flyers aboard V Australia and Virgin Blue as well.

The Virgin Group is already working on a new place to score a Virgin Redhead before your flight for all three of its airlines in Los Angeles, so these super combo lounges might just be part of their future plans for their company and passenger comfort. Right now they’re committing to finishing things at LAX, but it sounds like the blueprints to their latest clubhouse might be sent to Sydney at some point in 2011. ]]> kjb 2010-11-10T09:30:37-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/8/11/143738/214

It's the moment we've all been waiting for! Okay, so we haven't been waiting for it with bated breath, but we have been wondering when it would finally come about...

If you're a member of Virgin America's eleVAte frequent flyer miles program (membership is free), then you'll be able to earn points for your account from your travels on other Virgin-branded airlines. That's right, eleVAte isn't just for Virgin America any longer; flights on Virgin Atlantic, V Australia and Virgin Blue will count towards free flights as well. ]]> JetSetCD 2010-08-11T14:51:54-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/2/10/0310/79506

A frequent traveler pays particular attention to a few certain things, and doesn't mind paying extra for them. Some examples are frequent flyer status (and club access), a good dinner of the local cuisine, and ideal luggage.

With their "Perfect Bag" project, airline V Australia targeted the latter, and sent New York designer Steven Alan on a lengthy tour of Australia, with the idea that he would return and design the perfect piece of luggage for the V Australia flyers—or indeed anyone. But the resulting product—seen on Steven himself, above—is kind of anticlimactic and for $795, we at least expected some wheels. ]]> JetSetCD 2010-02-10T12:46:21-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/1/25/153158/045

Is this the perfect bag for airline travel? V Australia and New York fashion designer Steven Alan think so, especially after they sent him all around Australia on a trip for inspiration to create this accessory specifically for them.

During his trip Down Under, Alan blogged and tweeted about the experience, all the while asking the public for hints on what they travel with and what type of bag they'd like. Finally, he returned and went to work on the prototype with his team, and they emerged with the above bag. Do you like it? We're a bit mixed, since it's kind of big and we prefer a thinner profile for easy overhead bin stuffing, but then we haven't seen it in person. ]]> JetSetCD 2010-01-25T15:44:56-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/11/9/01846/4805

Boy oh boy, it's been awhile since Britney Spears did anything notable, let alone something travel-related, but last week she flew right back onto the scene and it was on a V Australia plane. BritBrit is currently playing to somewhat sold-out crowds around Australia on the Down Under portion of her "Circus" tour, and V Australia was chosen as the official airline partner of the tour.

What does that mean? Well, first it meant that Britney and all of her dancers, band, set designers, tech people and assorted crew headed to Oz on a V Australia plane on November 3. About that flight, Britney tweeted: "Longest flight ever but we had a great time. Really cool plane and the V staff took great care of us. So excited to be here!" She wrapped up the first concerts in Perth over the weekend, and now she'll be flying on Virgin Blue to upcoming dates in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-11-09T09:14:24-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/