LONDON – Ten years after the successful union of Emirates and Qantas, Qatar airways has found a suiter down under.
Virgin Australia, which is now in post-pandemic recovery, has committed to a return to profitability.
This brought Virgin Australia to re dimension its fleet by phasing out its long-haul division, service, and route network.
The airline, which now positions itself as a domestic hybrid carrier, is gearing up to forge strategic partnerships with other airlines to offer its customers more opportunities.
The Deal…
The airline, in 2020, shed almost its entire international route network and currently flies to only a limited number of international destinations.
Commencing mid-2022, a new agreement with Qatar Airways will give travelers an array of benefits when traveling with either carrier.
The partnership will ensure customers an unparalleled customer experience.
A unique array of benefits when traveling between Australia and Qatar Airways’ global network, with convenient transit options across Qatar Airways’ Australian gateways and key Virgin Australia hubs, Including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.
This new partnership will boost tourism in Australia while opening a world of further advantages to both airlines’ customers. For example, travelers will now be able to reach regional centers in Australia with a single ticket.
Qatar customers will be able to reach over 30 destinations in Australia thanks to the new parentship. These include popular Australian tourist destinations, including Cairns, Gold Coast, Alice Springs, and Broome.
Moreover, customers will be able to reach Virgin Australia’s short-haul international route network.
Virgin Australia’s customers will also have access to endless opportunities when connecting through Doha. Though Qatar’s hub, Virgin Australia customers will be able to reach over 140 destinations, including the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Al Baker: Opening Up Australia is Key…
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said:
“We have a strong, long-standing relationship with Australia and this agreement with Virgin Australia comes at a time when it is needed the most.”
“This partnership will give Australian passengers access to the world that they have so acutely missed these past two years, to be able to reconnect with family and friends and keep the wheels of trade moving.”
“We hope many of them will stopover in Doha to enjoy Qatar’s wonderful tourism industry. For those traveling farther afield, they will benefit from the award-winning facilities of our hub, Hamad International Airport, enabling their onward journey.”
“It also opens up Australia’s beautiful, cosmopolitan nation to our passengers on Qatar Airways flights after such a long, difficult time.”
Where does Qatar Airways fly to?
Qatar Airways, whose commitment to Australia was highly appreciated during the pandemic, continued offering direct flights from its Doha hub.
This allowed travel opportunities to Australians when most airlines suspended services to Australia.
Qatar Airways currently flies daily to Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne and thrice weekly to Adelaide continuing to Auckland, NZ.
Many benefits to look forward to…
The new partnership allows respective customers to earn mileage points when flying on either airline.
Qatar Airways customers will be able to collect Avios when flying on Virgin Australia’s route network.
Likewise, Virgin Australia customers will be able to collect Velocity Points when flying on the Qatar Airways network.
Respective members, depending on status tier will have access to generous baggage allowance, priority check-in, lounge access, and priority boarding.
