Boeing

Australia's newest discount carrier, Virgin Blue Airlines, today took delivery of the first Boeing Next-Generation 737 jetliner destined for Australian domestic use. During a ceremony in Seattle, Wash., Virgin Blue Chief Executive Officer Brett Godfrey completed formalities to take delivery of the aircraft. The airplane will be leased from International Lease Finance Corporation. The Next-Generation 737-700 is the first of 14 Next-Generation 737s Virgin Blue plans to fly on routes from its Brisbane hub to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Townsville and other destinations yet to be revealed. Virgin Blue, an offshoot of Sir Richard Branson's European Virgin Express operation, took to the air with a Brisbane-Sydney service last year. The airline currently operates a fleet of six Boeing 737-400s in all-economy configuration.