VIRGIN ATLANTIC AIRWAYS OFFERS HOT BUSINESS CLASS DEALS TO UK, IRELAND, EUROPE AND MALAYSIA

Virgin Atlantic Airways today unveiled a range of discounted Business Class fares from Australia to the UK, Ireland, Europe and Malaysia, using its daily code share flights from Sydney with Malaysia Airlines.

UK-based Virgin Atlantic has introduced three special deals - "Business as Usual" fares to the UK, Ireland and Europe, a discounted Seniors Fare to the UK and a "Take Two" deal, enabling two passengers to fly Business Class to Malaysia at special rates.

"The premium air travel market has been hit hard by recent global events," said Ms Gia Acitelli, Virgin Atlantic's Sales and Marketing Manager for Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.

"We have introduced these special fares to inspire Australians not only to think about travel, but to think about travel in Business Class."

The following fares are priced from Sydney. Interstate passengers can also take advantage of these special international deals by purchasing the best available domestic fares to and from Sydney on the carrier of their choice.

The "Business as Usual" roundtrip fare between Sydney and London is just $4,345 per person - for departures until 31 December. It includes Virgin Atlantic's limousine transfers in Sydney and London, and access to Business Class lounges, including Virgin Atlantic's exclusive Clubhouse at London Heathrow Airport, which includes a library, cinema, music room, business facilities, a bar, a lounge - even skiing machines.

For $4,510 per person, passengers can extend their journeys from London Heathrow to Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Dublin, Leeds Bradford or Teeside (Midlands) flying Economy Class with BMI (formerly British Midland), or to Shannon, Dublin or Cork with Ireland's Aer Lingus.

Or for $4,620 per person, return, passengers can travel Business Class from Sydney to London, then continue in Economy Class with BMI to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Paris - Charles de Gaulle, Madrid, Milan, Nice or Rome. Virgin Atlantic has also reduced its popular Seniors Fare in Business Class from Sydney to London from an already-competitive $4,345 per person, return, to just $3,905 per person, for departures until 31 March 2002.

This offer includes free car transfers in Sydney and London and entry to Business Class lounges, including Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse at London Heathrow Airport.

And the airline has introduced the "Take Two" Business Class fare of just $2,530 per person, return, from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, enabling a minimum of two passengers to travel together for this fare.

This deal, available for departures from Sydney until 30 November, also includes a domestic travel option within Malaysia, in which Economy Class flights can be added to Ipoh, Kota Bahru, Kuantan, Johor Bahru, Langkawi and Penang.

With any of these Malaysian domestic sectors included, the total air fare from Australia per person is $2,695, when at least two people are travelling. This deal includes free car transfers in Sydney and entry to Business Class lounges.

These special fares can be purchased from travel agents or from Virgin Atlantic on 02 9244 2747 in Sydney.