Virgin Blue To Add Business Class; 1H Profit Slumps

Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd. (VBA.AU) will offer business class seats to all Australian capitals by year-end to diversify its earnings away from a competitive holiday travel market crimped by natural disasters and waning consumer confidence.

Australia's second-biggest carrier, which currently doesn't offer business class, booked an expected 62% plunge in first half profit Wednesday and said the second half is expected to be challenging.

source | http://online.wsj.com