This is definitely a far greater outcome than boeing re-engineering the 757 or 767. I can see this option coming to fruition and boeing wanted to consolidate the same production line to build a smaller capacity/less range version of this airliner to take over the 737 max program.

Now that the dust is settling on the management shake-up at virgin, I still have my fingers crossed the virgin loyalists (myself included) get the outcome we were promised.I'd like to make a two points, firstly I was a massive fan of Paul with what he was able to do at virgin in such little time....

I wonder if REX have plans to revitalise their fleet of turboprops 

Another advantage of this impeding order will be the return of Virgin Australia's 'The Business' on routes from Australia's transcontinental routes. Virgin operating Dreamliner's on PER<>MEL<>LAX similar to Qantas operating MEL<>PER<>LDN is an option they never had with 77...

The deposit definitely exists. Virgin Australia paid a deposit on a 2012 order for the MAX (www.executivetraveller.com/news/virgin-australia-boeing-737-max-order)