Virgin Australia’s Striking Retro 737 MAX Takes First Flight

Virgin Australia’s 150th Boeing 737 has officially entered passenger service, turning heads with a striking all-red retro-inspired livery that pays tribute to the airline’s early Virgin Blue era.

The aircraft, registered VH-8VI and named Lake Centenary, touched down in Australia last week after delays at Boeing’s Seattle factory pushed back its delivery. On Monday morning, the jet operated its first passenger service as VA308 from Brisbane to Melbourne, arriving shortly after 9am.

While the aircraft’s bright red exterior is impossible to miss, the jet also represents a major milestone for the airline. Lake Centenary is the 150th Boeing 737 operated by the airline since launching as Virgin Blue in 2000, and becomes the 100th 737 in Virgin Australia’s current fleet.

The aircraft first caught the attention of aviation enthusiasts in March when photos emerged of the jet leaving Boeing’s paint facility in Seattle wearing the retro-style design. The livery revives the bold red look closely associated with Virgin Blue during the airline’s early years, before its transition to Virgin Australia in 2011.

But the biggest surprise is found inside the cabin, where Virgin Australia has printed the names of more than 8,000 employees across the aircraft’s overhead lockers as a tribute to staff across the business.

The commemorative jet is expected to operate services across Virgin Australia’s domestic and short-haul international network in the coming weeks.

Virgin Australia CEO Dave Emerson said the special livery reflects a milestone for the airline.

“Lake Centenary is the 100th Boeing 737 in our current fleet and marks a truly monumental milestone. One that reflects just how far we have come since Virgin Blue launched in 2000 with just two aircraft, operating one route.”

“This aircraft is a celebration of our team. Including their names is our way of recognising how important each and every one of them is to our journey,” he said.

Virgin Australia First Officer Amy Dunn said it was “an incredible acknowledgement of the team to have our names printed on the overhead lockers."

“I have no doubt that Flight and Cabin Crew will be incredibly proud to operate this aircraft and will be lining up for the opportunity to fly on it,” she added.

Lake Centennary is also the airline’s 16th Boeing 737 MAX 8, with Virgin Australia continuing to expand and modernise its narrowbody fleet. The carrier is set to receive a further 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in 2026, after reshuffling part of its Boeing order book amid ongoing delays affecting the larger MAX 10 variant.

Virgin Australia previously converted 12 MAX 10 orders into MAX 8s to secure earlier deliveries while Boeing continues working through certification delays and supply chain constraints impacting the larger aircraft. Virgin Australia now has orders for 26 MAX 8s and 13 MAX 10s overall.

Alongside the incoming Boeing aircraft, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines is also set to receive four Embraer E190-E2 regional jets, with the first already entering service last year.