FIRST PICS: First Virgin Australia plane lands at Sydney Airport

Virgin Australia's first repainted aircraft have landed at Sydney Airport this morning, and Australian Business Traveller is there to bring you the very latest on the "New Virgin". Our full coverage is available through the links at the bottom of this story.

First to land was the Boeing 737-800 aircraft, spotted early this morning leaving Christchurch Airport in New Zealand after a repainting job, landed smoothly under sunny skies.

If you want to get a look inside the new 737-800, which features a very cool cabin design, check out our exclusive photo-tour!

A larger Airbus A330 aircraft, Virgin Australia's first with brand-new reclining business class seats, also landed at Sydney from Subang in Malaysia.

The arrival of the two aircraft is just the start of a full day of events to mark the change from Virgin Blue to Virgin Australia.

Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti and Virgin Group boss Sir Richard Branson will be speaking at a 10am press conference, which Australian Business Traveller will be covering live -- both here at www.ausbt.com.au and on Twitter: @AusBT.

Rumours of additional changes are spreading around Sydney Airport like wildfire, including some serious hints about changes to the new airline's loyalty programme, Velocity Rewards. 

In the meantime, here's a closeup shot of the new airline's surprisingly angled tail logo on the A330:

This is just part of Australian Business Traveller's comprehensive coverage of Virgin Australia's launch day:

• New Airbus A330 and Boeing 737 planes, plus what the new offerings mean for business travellers 
• Punchy, fresh new ads for Virgin Australia, plus interviews with uniform designer Julie Grbac, inflight chef Luke Mangan and brand guru Hans Hulbosch
• Insider photos from the launch day with Richard Branson and John Borghetti
• The very first on-board photos from Virgin Australia's new Boeing 737-800 in Business and Economy
• Complete photo tour: Virgin Australia's new Boeing 737 with futuristic 'Sky Interior'
• Full analysis of the decision to rebrand all the Virgin Blue group airlines (including V Australia, Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue) as Virgin Australia 
• Richard Branson and John Borghetti hint at premium economy class for Virgin Australia
• Our interview with Richard Branson about business travel
• Seat guide: Virgin Australia Airbus A330 business class
• Photo gallery: Virgin Australia's Airbus A330 business class, economy class and new in-flight meals
• Photo gallery: Virgin Australia's Boeing 737-800 cabin, business class and economy class

For the very latest, check back at www.ausbt.com.au or follow us on Twitter: @AusBT.

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.