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Virgin Australia retro livery 737 MAX 8 breaks cover
March 31st 2026
Virgin Australia (VA) is celebrating its history with a retro livery 737 MAX 8. Read More » The aircraft, registration VH-8VI, features an all-red fuselage which the airline used to have when it was founded as Virgin Blue in 2000 and commenced commercial operations in May 2001. The airline rebranded as Virgin Australia in 2011. The special livery also recognises the 737 MAX 8, named Lake Centenary, is the airline's 150th 737. VA said it expected to take delivery of 12 737 MAX 8 aircraft during calendar 2026, alongside four E195-E2 jets for its Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) operation. "Virgin Australia is in the strongest position it has been in over the past 25 years, and we are using that momentum to keep investing in our future," VA CEO, Dave Emerson, said. "The Boeing 737-8 is central to our fleet renewal and growth program, which is one of the most important investments we are making in the company. VA said VH-8VI was expected to be ferried to Brisbane from the U.S. in April.
