Delivered 28 Jul 05. Transferred to Virgin Australia 4 May 11. The aircraft was recently reconfigured (mid 2023) together with sistership 'VBZ to operate non-stop services from Cairns to Tokyo pending delivery of the airlines' first 737 Max 8 (VH-8IA - delivered 28 Jun 23) - it entered service a few weeks later. Delivery of VH-8IB is expected shortly.

Morning departure off Rw 05, flt VOZ 9003 bound for Brisbane returning the Geelong football team to their hub in Qld. Virgin Australia was the official carrier for the Australian Football League (AFL) and during the coronavirus pandemic several teams were based in hubs in Qld to allow the year's games to be played outside states/cities where restrictions prevented free movement. By late in the season, teams were allowed to travel to all states and territories except Victoria due to a large second wave outbreak of COVID-19 cases. Victorian teams had to remain in Qld.

Taxiing for departure and a wave from the skipper as well!

On short final for runway 05.

New livery and new name and a red nose which may have been for charity fund raiser Red Nose Day - one of at least two so liveried. Over the boundary fence for runway 05.

Classic early morning arrival on Runway 34 for 'Virgin-ia Blue'. Virgin Blue's 50th aircraft in a special scheme. Registered on 22 July 2005 and delivered to VB on the 28th.

I was given special permission to photograph this machine.