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Velocity Frequent Flyer Enhances Travel Rewards on Virgin Australia’s Long-Haul Flights
Velocity Frequent Flyer is giving Aussie travellers even more reasons to fly Virgin Australia with an exciting array of perks launching for long-haul international flights (VA1–29). Whether you’re chasing the European summer or exploring far-flung destinations, Velocity has made the journey smoother and more rewarding than ever. Elevating Travel Benefits for Members Following the tripling of Reward Seats for Velocity members on flights between Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Melbourne to Doha through February 2026, Velocity has rolled out additional benefits for passengers heading to the Qatari capital on Virgin Australia’s long-haul services. Leading the charge is an Australian airline-first perk: Velocity members, including children, can enjoy a USD$20 “Dine on Us” voucher to spend at Hamad International Airport, recently named the World’s Best Airport at the 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards. Simply add your Velocity Frequent Flyer number to your booking before check-in to enjoy this delicious offer. Perks Across All Membership Tiers Velocity members across every tier can take advantage of several great benefits: Business Upgrades: Starting 1 July 2025, all Velocity members can use Points to request upgrades from Economy Flex fares to Business Class on Virgin Australia’s long-haul flights, up to 24 hours before departure. Gold and Platinum members can enjoy upgrades from both Flex and Choice fares, giving access to Qatar Airways’ world-class Qsuite Business Class. Advance Seat Selection: Gold and Platinum members can reserve Preferred and Extra Legroom seats for themselves and up to eight guests on the same booking, free of charge. Red and Silver members receive discounts of 10% and 20%, respectively, on seat selection for Economy Choice and Economy Reward fares. Family Pooling: Combine Points and Status Credits with up to five family members living at the same address. A family of four flying Economy Flex fares from Sydney to Paris via Doha could earn 86,000+ Points and 1,120+ Status Credits, fast-tracking rewards. Exclusive Benefits for Gold & Platinum Members Gold and Platinum Velocity members will also enjoy further perks when travelling with Virgin Australia to Doha: Lounge Access: Complimentary access to Qatar Airways lounges, as well as partner lounges. Additional Checked Baggage Allowance: Extra baggage privileges, depending on the fare type and route. Priority Baggage, Check-in, and Boarding: Fast-track the airport experience with priority services, including access to Business Class counters when flying Qatar Airways-operated services. Enhanced Onboard Comfort and Connectivity Virgin Australia’s long-haul flights promise industry-leading comfort, featuring one of the widest Economy seats available and Qatar Airways’ award-winning Qsuite Business Class. Guests can enjoy seamless connectivity with complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi, powered by advanced satellite technology, keeping them connected throughout their journey. A Travel Experience That Delivers Value Nick Rohrlach, CEO of Velocity Frequent Flyer, emphasises the program’s focus on meaningful and personalised rewards: “We know our members value great rewards when they fly, and our expanded benefits on these new services to Doha deliver exactly that—more upgrade options, more perks, and a better travel experience. From complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi to Business Class upgrades with Points and a USD$20 dining voucher, we’re delivering value to recognise their loyalty and choosing to fly with us.” Launching New Routes Virgin Australia’s new long-haul international flights to Doha will launch from Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth in June 2025, followed by Melbourne in December 2025. These routes offer an incredible opportunity for Aussie travellers to experience Velocity’s expanded suite of rewards. For more information or to book, visit virginaustralia.com.
Qatar Airways Group and Virgin Australia receive final go-ahead from the ACCC
Qatar Airways Group and Virgin Australia have received final go-ahead from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for the airlines’ integrated alliance. This final determination officially signals the green light for Virgin Australia’s new 28 weekly flights between Australia and Doha – operated under a wet-lease with Qatar Airways – to proceed. The ACCC’s authorisation of Qatar Airways’ partnership with Virgin Australia gives the Australian carrier access to the scale and expertise of a world-leading global airline and facilitates its re-entry into long-haul international flying. This will drive increased competition in the market while delivering greater choice and value for Australian passengers. Utilising aircraft wet-leased from Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia is set to commence long-haul flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth to Doha from June 2025, followed by Melbourne to Doha in December 2025. Through the award-winning Hamad International Airport in Doha, the flights open up more than 100 connecting itineraries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and enable Australian passengers to benefit from a host of increased loyalty earn and redemption opportunities for Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club and Velocity members. In addition to this, the flights will provide a significant boost to the Australian visitor and tourism economy, generating an estimated AUD$3 billion in economic value over the next five years. The collaboration arrangement will also support jobs growth, both in Virgin Australia and across the broader aviation and tourism sectors in Australia, with Qatar Airways set to provide secondment opportunities for 20 Virgin Australia pilots and 40 cabin crew in 2025. Another important area of focus for the partnership is sustainability, which includes the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel initiatives. This follows the Australian Government’s approval of Qatar Airways Group’s 25 per cent investment in Virgin Australia on 27 February 2025 – joining existing majority shareholder Bain Capital. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “Today’s announcement by the ACCC sends a clear signal of the appetite that exists for delivering competition, world-class service and value to Australian passengers. “It also marks the start of a new chapter in the relationship between our two airlines, and I would like to thank our Virgin Australia colleagues and valued stakeholders for their tireless dedication to our shared ambition to create healthy competition within the local aviation market, as well as our collective commitment to supporting Australian businesses, Australian jobs and the wider economy.” Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer, Dave Emerson said: "This is a defining moment for Virgin Australia and the Australian aviation landscape. The ACCC’s final approval of our deeper strategic partnership with Qatar Airways marks the start of a new chapter for our airline and a world of opportunities for our people and customers. “Already, we are seeing some of the positive benefits of the partnership, including increased sale activity on airfares between Australia and Europe, the Middle East and Africa thanks to increased competition. “We are pleased to welcome Qatar Airways as not just a strategic partner, but a part owner in Virgin Australia. This reflects a huge vote of confidence from a leading global airline in our business and in Australian aviation more broadly.” Bain Capital Partner, Mike Murphy said: “This important milestone allows the airlines to harness their collective strength and unlock new areas of cooperation for the benefit of Australian consumers. We are delighted to officially welcome Qatar Airways Group as a minority investor in Virgin Australia.” In October 2024, Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a range of sustainability initiatives, including aims to advance the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), environmental management including waste and energy management, sustainable procurement, and aviation workforce development.
Virgin Australia Leads Major Airlines in On-Time Performance
Virgin Australia has once again demonstrated its commitment to excellence in aviation, leading the country’s major airlines in both on-time performance (OTP) and the completion of scheduled flights. According to January data released by the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE), the airline completed 99.2 per cent of scheduled domestic flights and achieved a departure OTP rate of 78 per cent, outpacing its competitors. Outstanding Reliability and Performance Virgin Australia’s completion rate significantly surpasses the long-term average for Australian domestic carriers of 97.8 per cent, and the airline is rapidly approaching the OTP long-term average of 80.7 per cent. Chief Operations Officer, Stuart Aggs, attributes this success to the dedication and hard work of the airline’s team, particularly during the busy holiday period. “Reliability is incredibly important to our guests, especially when they are travelling to see family and friends,” said Mr Aggs. “We call it SPOT – safely performing on time – and it is a responsibility our team takes very seriously. It’s great to see their efforts paying off.” Strategies for Success In addition to improving on-time performance, Virgin Australia has maintained consistently high completion rates, with more than 99 per cent of scheduled domestic flights operating in December and January, despite the challenges posed by summer storms. The airline has implemented a range of measures, including additional aircraft on standby and more team members on reserve, to manage disruptions and minimise their impact on guests’ travel plans. “Our strong performance has continued into February, with departure OTP around 80 per cent for the month to date,” Mr Aggs added. “This is great news for our corporate and SME customers who are travelling again following the summer break.” Exceptional Holiday Travel Performance The airline’s performance in December and January marked its best results in the past two years, with more than 3.8 million passengers flying with Virgin Australia during this period. This achievement underscores the airline’s dedication to providing a reliable and enjoyable travel experience for its guests. Virgin Australia’s efforts to re-accommodate Rex customers free of charge following the airline’s suspension of jet operations in July 2024 have also contributed to this success. Over 135,000 Rex customers have been rebooked on Virgin Australia services, with more than 130,000 of them already having travelled. As Virgin Australia continues to lead the way in on-time performance and flight completion, travellers can look forward to a consistently reliable and high-quality travel experience with the airline.
ATIA lauds government approval of Qatar Airways’ stake in Virgin Australia
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) welcomed the Federal Government’s approval of Qatar Airways’ 25 percent stake in Virgin Australia. Association officials pointed out that this will enhance airline competition and create new opportunities for Australian travel agents and advisors. The increased competition on international routes means more reasons for travellers to use travel agencies and advisors to secure the best value flights, particularly for long-haul travel to Europe. With more airline options, travellers rely on expert advice to navigate the best routes, pricing and benefits. An advantageous situation ATIA chief executive Dean Long remarked that the acquisition is great news for Australians who want more choice and more competitive fares when travelling internationally, with greater choices on flights to Europe. Long said: “More competition in the skies drives innovation, better pricing and improved services for travellers. It also increases the potential for greater investment to drive domestic competition. It’s a decision which will bring long-term benefits to Australian travellers and the broader travel industry.” The ATIA CEO added that the decision strengthens the role of travel agents and advisors in delivering value to consumers. For agencies, on the other hand, greater competition means more reasons for travellers to use agencies and their travel advisors to find the best value. With regard to the association’s land supply members, greater competition and more competitive fares free up more of the budget for travellers to spend more on experiencing destinations through touring. Long concluded by saying: “With greater competition comes greater negotiation power for travel agents and advisors to drive greater commercial outcomes.”
Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways Alliance Gains ACCC’s Preliminary Approval
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced its intention to approve a cooperative alliance between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways for a five-year period. Although final regulatory approvals are still pending, the competition watchdog’s proposal to authorise this strategic partnership is a promising development for air travellers. Enhanced Connectivity and Competition The proposed alliance will see Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways collaborate on 28 new weekly return services between Doha and four Australian cities: Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. According to the ACCC, this partnership is expected to boost competition, enhance connectivity, and provide passengers with more choices. Under the agreement, Virgin Australia would operate the new services using Qatar Airways’ aircraft and crew under a ‘wet lease’ arrangement. Public Benefits ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey highlighted the potential benefits of the cooperative conduct: “We consider that the proposed cooperative conduct would likely result in several public benefits including providing enhanced products and services for air travellers, which would include increased choice of international flights, with additional connectivity, convenience, and loyalty program benefits for consumers.” Interim Authorization and Marketing The airlines have already begun marketing and selling the new Australia-Doha routes under an interim authorization granted by the ACCC in November last year. Should the final regulatory approvals not be granted, both airlines have agreed to offer refunds or re-accommodation at no extra charge. Workforce Concerns While some stakeholders have raised concerns about the impact on Australian workforce laws, particularly the use of Qatar-based crew, the ACCC believes the proposed alliance would not significantly harm the Australian aviation workforce. Commissioner Brakey noted, “We consider that Virgin Australia is unlikely to commence operating long-haul international services between Australia and the Middle East on a stand-alone basis in the next five years.” Loyalty Program Benefits Under the proposed deal, Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer members would continue to earn and redeem points on Singapore Airlines flights worldwide, with existing partnerships with South African Airways and Virgin Atlantic remaining unchanged. Public Feedback and Final Decision The ACCC is now seeking public feedback on its draft determination, with submissions due by 7 March 2025, before making its final decision. This potential alliance between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways marks an exciting chapter in international air travel, promising enhanced services, greater connectivity, and improved options for passengers travelling between Australia and the Middle East.
Air India and Virgin Australia Partner to Make Travel Between Australia and India Easier
Travelling between Australia and India just got a whole lot easier, thanks to a new codeshare agreement between Air India and Virgin Australia. This exciting partnership is set to boost two-way tourism and facilitate VFR (visiting friends and relatives) travel, offering seamless connections and enhanced travel experiences. A Seamless Travel Experience Under this unilateral partnership, Virgin Australia will place its VA code on Air India-operated flights, allowing seamless connections from Melbourne and Sydney to Delhi, and onwards to various destinations within India and beyond. Conversely, Air India can place its ‘AI’ code on Virgin Australia services, enabling onward travel to 16 destinations across Australia and New Zealand. These destinations include Adelaide, Ballina/Byron Bay, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Queenstown (New Zealand), Sunshine Coast, and Sydney. Convenience and Efficiency One of the standout benefits of this codeshare agreement is that passengers travelling on a single ticket will have their baggage checked through to their final destination in both directions. This means no more re-checking bags during layovers, offering a hassle-free travel experience that every traveller will appreciate. First Codeshare Flights Commence The first codeshare flights commence today, February 18, 2025. Air India currently operates 14 non-stop weekly flights between Delhi and Australia using its Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which features 18 flat-bed business class seats and 238 economy seats. A Growing Tourism Market Alistair Hartley, Virgin Australia’s Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, expressed his excitement about the partnership: “We are pleased to partner with Air India to make it easier for their customers to explore everything Australia has to offer. India is a growing tourism market for Australia, and this partnership will encourage travellers arriving on one of Air India’s 14 weekly flights to explore more of our wonderful country thanks to seamless onward connections on the Virgin Australia network.” Nipun Aggarwal, Air India’s Chief Commercial Officer, echoed these sentiments, describing Australia as “one of Air India’s most important international markets.” He added, “So it is incredibly exciting for us to be partnering with Virgin Australia to expand our presence in the region. This partnership provides greater ease and access for the large Indian diaspora spread across the continent and opens up a whole new range of destinations for holidaymakers wanting to soak up the beaches of Gold Coast, discover Tasmania or explore the natural wonders of The Great Barrier Reef.” Looking Ahead As this new codeshare agreement takes off, it promises to enhance the travel experience for passengers flying between Australia and India. With seamless connections, hassle-free baggage handling, and access to a wide range of destinations, travellers can look forward to exploring the best of both countries with ease. This partnership marks an exciting chapter for Air India and Virgin Australia, bringing new opportunities for tourism and cultural exchange between these two vibrant regions.
Air India codeshares with Virgin Australia
Air India and Virgin Australia announced a new codeshare partnership that significantly boosts connectivity and the ease of travelling between India and Australia. The unilateral codeshare agreement enables Air India to place its ‘AI’ code on flights operated by Virgin Australia. This enhances the opportunities that Air India customers have when travelling from Delhi to Melbourne or Sydney and take seamless onward connections on Virgin Australia flights to 16 destinations in Australia and New Zealand1. The enhanced cooperation will also ensure that passengers travelling on a single ticket will have their baggage checked through the entire journey. The 16 cities in Australia and New Zealand include: Adelaide, Ballina/Byron Bay, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Queenstown (New Zealand)1, Sunshine Coast, and Sydney. “We are pleased to partner with Air India to make it easier for their customers to explore everything Australia has to offer. India is a growing tourism market for Australia and this partnership will encourage travellers arriving on one of Air India’s 14 weekly flights to explore more of our wonderful country thanks to seamless onward connections on the Virgin Australia network,” said Alistair Hartley, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Virgin Australia. “Australia is one of Air India’s most important international markets, so it is incredibly exciting for us to be partnering with Virgin Australia to expand our presence in the region. While the partnership provides greater ease and access for the large Indian diaspora spread across the continent, it also opens up a whole new range of destinations for holidaymakers wanting to soak up the beaches of Gold Coast, discover Tasmania, or to explore the natural wonders of The Great Barrier Reef,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India. Air India operates 14x weekly flights from India to Australia, flying non-stop daily from Delhi to Melbourne and Delhi to Sydney. The airline utilises its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on these routes, featuring 18 flat beds in Business Class and 238 spacious seats in Economy Class. Air India customers taking onward flights on Virgin Australia flights within Australia and New Zealand will enjoy world-class Business and Economy Class cabins, and award-winning service. Codeshare bookings will start from 11 February 2025, with the first codeshare flights to operate from 18 February 2025.
Virgin Australia Tops On-Time Performance Charts in December
Virgin Australia has been recognised as the country’s most punctual and reliable major airline for December 2024, according to on-time performance (OTP) data released by the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE). The airline achieved an impressive departure OTP rate of 74.7% and completed 99.4% of its scheduled domestic flights, with a daily average of nearly 400 flights. Remarkably, there were four consecutive days between Christmas and New Year when no flights were cancelled. Record Passenger Movements December also marked a record month for Virgin Australia, with more than 1.925 million guests flown across its domestic and international network. This is the highest number of passengers flown on Virgin Australia services in any December throughout its 24-year history. Commentary from Virgin Australia Group CEO Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka expressed her pride in the airline’s performance during the critical summer holiday period. “The stakes are never higher than during the important summer holiday period, so we are really pleased to have been the most reliable major Australian airline in December,” said Hrdlicka. “We knew it was going to be an extremely busy time and we were prepared with a number of additional resilience measures, including more team members at airports and spare aircraft on standby.” Hrdlicka also highlighted the significant improvement in on-time performance. “Our on-time performance improved by 18.5 percentage points from December 2023 to December 2024. Over the past twelve months we have been working hard to improve our operational performance, and it is wonderful to see these positive results, especially at such an important time of the year,” she added. Commitment to Schedule Completion Virgin Australia has been particularly focused on completing its schedule. For 11 of 12 months in 2024, the airline recorded a higher completion rate than its major competitor. “When unexpected disruption occurs, for example due to weather, we will prioritise completing a flight even if it means a delay is necessary. When challenges arise, our aim remains to get our guests to their destination on the day they have chosen to travel,” Hrdlicka explained. Accommodating Rex Customers Following the suspension of Rex’s jet operations in July 2024, Virgin Australia has continued to accommodate Rex customers free of charge. More than 135,000 Rex customers have been rebooked free of charge, with over 125,000 of them having already travelled. Looking Ahead Virgin Australia’s dedication to improving operational performance and ensuring passenger satisfaction has clearly paid off. As the airline continues to focus on reliability and customer service, travellers can look forward to more positive travel experiences with Virgin Australia. For more information and to book flights, visit Virgin Australia. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Let’s celebrate this achievement together.
Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand Reunite to Enhance Travel Experiences
The long-awaited reunion between Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand is officially here, bringing enhanced travel options and seamless experiences for passengers crossing the Tasman. Under the new codeshare agreement, travellers can now book Virgin Australia flights operated by Air New Zealand with a VA flight number to Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch for travel starting from 9 December 2024. These flights are in addition to Virgin Australia’s existing services to Queenstown. Benefits for Virgin Australia Guests and Velocity Frequent Flyers This partnership offers a variety of benefits and rewards for Virgin Australia guests and Velocity Frequent Flyer members when booking and travelling on approximately 300 services between Australia and New Zealand each week. These benefits include: Earning Velocity Points and Status Credits Lounge access for Velocity Gold and Platinum members Seamless customer experience with baggage transfer and boarding passes issued for the entire journey Velocity Gold and Platinum Status entitlements, including an additional checked bag, priority check-in, and priority boarding Exclusive discounts and benefits for Virgin Australia Business Flyers and corporate customers Alistair Hartley, Virgin Australia’s Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, highlighted the significance of this partnership: “The connection between Australia and New Zealand has always been deeper than just a stretch of ocean, and our new partnership with Air New Zealand celebrates that enduring bond. This codeshare agreement isn’t just about flights – it’s about creating seamless travel experiences that give Virgin Australia customers more ways to explore, connect, and adventure.” Enhanced Travel Options and Kiwi Hospitality Air New Zealand’s General Manager Australia, Kathryn O’Brien, emphasised the ease of travel this partnership brings: “Whether it’s for a weekend with friends and family, a business trip, or simply an excuse to experience some breathtaking scenery, this partnership seamlessly opens up more opportunities and destinations across New Zealand. From today, we’re excited to extend a big Kia ora to Virgin Australia customers onboard and deliver our signature Kiwi hospitality, giving them a taste of Aotearoa at 30,000 feet.” Routes Included in the Codeshare Agreement The following routes are available for travel from 9 December 2024: Sydney <> Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington Adelaide <> Auckland Brisbane <> Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington Melbourne <> Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington Gold Coast <> Auckland, Christchurch Perth <> Auckland Seasonal routes: Cairns <> Auckland, Hobart <> Auckland, Sunshine Coast <> Auckland Virgin Australia flights operated by Air New Zealand (with a VA flight number) are currently on sale and will begin operating from 9 December 2024. This partnership marks a significant step forward in providing enhanced travel experiences and greater access to destinations across New Zealand for Virgin Australia passengers.
Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways Gain Interim Approval for New Doha Flights
Exciting news for travellers as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted interim authorisation to Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways to operate flights between Doha and key Australian cities. This significant development will see 28 weekly return flights connecting Doha with Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney starting in June 2025. Bridging Continents with New Routes The interim approval allows both airlines ample time to plan, market, and align their systems in preparation for the new routes. This collaboration aims to enhance connectivity between Australia and the Middle East, offering more travel options for passengers. However, it’s important to note that final regulatory approval is still pending, and the services will undergo further scrutiny by the ACCC and other relevant government bodies. Customer Assurance The ACCC has reassured customers that if the proposed services do not receive final approval, affected passengers will be offered refunds or alternative flights at no extra charge. ACCC Deputy Chair Keogh stated, “Affected customers will be given the option of a refund or re-accommodation on a suitable alternative flight at no additional charge and would not be out of pocket for any reasonably foreseeable costs.” Future Plans and Considerations While the interim authorisation is a significant step forward, the ACCC is also reviewing concerns about the airlines’ wet lease arrangements and the proposed exclusivity of the partnership. A draft determination is expected by February 2025, which will provide more clarity on the final decision. Notably, today’s announcement did not address Qatar Airways’ proposed 25% stake purchase in Virgin Australia, leaving this potential development for future discussions. Looking Ahead The travel industry is abuzz with anticipation as we await the final decision. The new Doha routes promise to bolster tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between Australia and Qatar, providing travellers more opportunities to explore and connect. Stay tuned for further updates as we inch closer to the launch of these exciting new services, set to redefine long-haul travel between Australia and the Middle East. Will you be taking advantage of these new flight options?
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