<P> Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd , formerly Virgin Blue Airlines , is Australia 's second - largest airline after Qantas and it is the largest airline by fleet size to use the ' Virgin ' brand . Now based in Bowen Hills , Brisbane , the airline was co-founded by British businessman Richard Branson , the founder of parent Virgin Group and former Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey . It was established in November 1999 with two aircraft operating on a single route , and suddenly found itself catapulted to the position of Australia 's second airline after the collapse of Ansett Australia in September 2001 . The airline has grown to directly serve 29 cities in Australia from hubs in Brisbane , Melbourne and Sydney , using a fleet of narrow - body Boeing and Embraer jets ; and Airbus and Boeing widebody jets . </P>
when did virgin australia ( formerly virgin blue ) commence flying in australia
November 1999