Virgin Australia has marked the delivery of its 150th Boeing 737 aircraft, featuring a retro livery inspired by the airline’s former Virgin Blue branding.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-8, was presented at Boeing’s Seattle facility. It is the first aircraft in Virgin Australia’s fleet to carry a heritage design, with an all-red exterior referencing the airline’s early years between 2000 and 2011.
Registered VH-8VI and named Lake Centenary, the aircraft marks two milestones for the airline: the 150th 737 received since operations began, and the 100th currently in its fleet.
The aircraft is part of Virgin Australia’s ongoing fleet renewal programme. The airline expects delivery of 12 Boeing 737-8 aircraft in 2026, along with four Embraer E190-E2 jets for its regional operations.
According to CEO Dave Emerson, the 737-8 will play a key role in supporting domestic and short-haul international operations, as well as improving operating efficiency. The aircraft type offers lower fuel consumption and reduced noise compared to earlier-generation Boeing 737-800 models.
Virgin Australia began operations in August 2000 as Virgin Blue, initially operating Boeing 737-400 aircraft between Brisbane and Sydney. In 2025, the airline carried more than 21 million passengers, its highest annual figure to date.
The newly delivered aircraft is undergoing final preparations and test flights before entering commercial service. It is expected to arrive in Brisbane in April and will be deployed on domestic and short-haul international routes.
