Travel to Hamilton Island in Style with New Business Class Flights 

For the first time in eight years, travellers to Hamilton Island (www.hamiltonisland.com.au) can enjoy the perks and upgrades of business class with the launch of Virgin Australia’s new service which is now available on most domestic routes across Australia.

The new service will enhance Hamilton Island’s world-class offering as a regular host to high-profile celebrities and special events, which include the Great Barrier Feast culinary weekends, Audi Hamilton Island Race Week and the Australian Ballet’s ‘Pas de Deux in Paradise’ performance under the stars at luxury qualia (www.qualia.com.au).

“We applaud Virgin Australia’s new business class offering to Hamilton Island. The service complements our recent significant investment in luxury tourism and will be well received by our guests staying at qualia and the Hamilton Island Yacht Club Villas,” said Hamilton Island’s chief executive Glenn Bourke.

Features of Virgin Australia’s new business class service include luxury leather seating, Luke Mangan designed gourmet menus, international-style organic cosmetic amenity kits, priority check-in/boarding and complimentary access to Virgin Australia’s lounges. Business class guests travelling from Sydney with carry-on bags only can also take advantage of the Premium Entry and optional valet car parking at Domestic Terminal 2, direct curb side access and direct entry to the lounge via a dedicated security screening point and check-in desk.

Once on Hamilton Island, visitors can choose from five accommodation options including the award-winning qualia resort, the luxury Yacht Club Villas, plentiful dining experiences and over 60 activities. Hamilton Island is easily accessible from major East Coast cities in Australia in less than three hours.

To celebrate the new business class service, qualia and Virgin Australia are offering a luxury package from $1868* per person Ex Brisbane or from $2468* per person Ex Sydney. This package is only available for purchase in February and valid for travel between 1 February – 15 August. It includes:

• Two nights’ accommodation in a private pavilion at qualia with a la carte breakfast daily
• Return business class flights from either Sydney or Brisbane
• Sunset cruise on the ‘Atomic’ – qualia’s luxury power boat
• VIP return Hamilton Island airport/marina to hotel transfers
• Personal two-seater electric golf buggy

To book, visit www.qualia.com.au or please contact the Luxury Specialist team on 137 333 or email: luxuryspecialist@hamiltonisland.com.au
Prices are based on twin share. The ‘from price’ above is for a Leeward pavilion. The qualia and Virgin Australia luxury package is available for purchase from 1 - 29 February 2012 and is valid for travel from 1 February – 15 August 2012.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:
The new business class offering to Hamilton Island is part of Virgin Australia’s domestic roll-out of business class, which was available from 18 January on most domestic routes operated by Boeing 737‐700 and 737‐800 aircraft, and on the airline's fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft.

About Hamilton Island:
Hamilton Island is located off the Queensland coast of Australia, within the Whitsunday Islands at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Here visitors can experience everything that is great about Australia – natural landscapes, calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, beautiful weather, fascinating coral reefs, diverse flora and fauna. Hamilton Island offers a wide range of accommodation options, not to mention over 60 activities and all within a short direct flight from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns. There are also great connections from other Australian cities. www.hamiltonisland.com.au www.facebook.com/hamiltonisland

About qualia resort: www.qualia.com.au
qualia, Australia's world class luxury resort on the Great Barrier Reef, is located on the secluded and breathtakingly beautiful northern-most point of Hamilton Island. qualia has 60 elegant one-bedroom pavilions and a Beach House, each set among eucalyptus trees with postcard views of the idyllic blue and green waters of the Whitsundays. Two superb restaurants and Spa qualia cater exclusively to guests of the resort. Hamilton Island can be accessed directly from all east coast international gateway cities in less than three hours. qualia is a member of Relais & Châteaux and welcomes guests 16 years and over.

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