Virgin Blue's new international arm, V Australia, has announced that it will fly direct from Brisbane to Los Angeles from next year.
Brisbane to LA will be the second route for V Australia after it begins its daily direct Sydney to LA service from December 15 this year.
V Australia began offering discount economy return flights of A$1234 ($1585.91) yesterday until sold out. The carrier said every day return economy fares will start from A$2087.
The Brisbane to LA service will fly on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from March 1.
The carrier said it conducted extensive research before deciding to commit the resources to operating a trans-Pacific flight to and from Brisbane.
"Only one other airline [Qantas] currently operates direct services between the two cities, making it ripe for competition," it said.
V Australia's general manager Scott Swift said the Brisbane to LA route will bring new opportunities for Queenslanders to travel to the US and will have a positive impact on the state's tourism industry.
"We are keen to help ramp up visitor numbers to the state of Queensland," Swift said.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said she welcomed V Australia's vote of confidence in Queensland: "Virgin Blue has already delivered significant benefits to this state in terms of domestic tourism and resulting business and economic spin-offs."
