Veterans to get priority on Virgin flights
Military veterans will be given priority when boarding aircraft and will be acknowledged by in-flight announcements, it's been reported.
Following on Prime Minister Scott Morrison's announcement of a military discount card for veterans, Virgin Australia says it will honour veterans by allowing them to board first and make public announcements about their presence on board, News Corp Australia reports.
"We acknowledge the important contribution veterans have made to keeping our country safe and the role they play in our community,'' Virgin Australia chief executive officer John Borghetti said in an interview with Brisbane's Sunday Mail.
"Once the veterans have their cards and lapel pins, they will simply need to present them during the boarding process to be given priority boarding and be recognised on board."
Mr Morrison told the newspaper it was about "nurturing the respect for our veterans and this was brought home for me really heavily during the Invictus Games (in Sydney last month).
"When I talk to veterans from other countries, they are just so touched by the culture of respect Australians have for veterans.
"Prince Harry said the same thing to me (at the Games). It was really on display and I just don't want to take that for granted.
"And as a government I want to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect, preserve and facilitate it."
