Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways have joined forces in a new strategic aviation partnership. The partnership which commenced overnight, will span across 49 markets, expanding networks, lounges and loyalty programs.
Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways launch partnership
To celebrate the beginning of the collaboration between the airlines, a launch event was held at Brisbane Airport Lounge yesterday. With representatives from both Virgin and Qatar, they celebrated with cake in a lively atmosphere, with dancers representing various countries that can be accessed on both airlines’ networks.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, has noted the importance of the partnership to continue to connect Australia with the rest of the world.
“Unlike other airlines, we were determined to keep flying to and from Australia during COVID, get desperate people home and keep businesses connected to the world, now we have strengthened our presence even more in cooperation with our good friends at Virgin Australia.”
Qatar Airways was named as the ‘World’s Best Airline’ at the 2021 Skytrax Industry Awards. Holding a strong reputation, it has been seen to sign codeshare agreements globally. Its union with Virgin Australia is already being viewed positively, with the Australian aviation space being overwhelming filled with dissatisfaction from travellers recently. A new partnership may be what Virgin needs to set itself away from the shadows of Australia’s flying kangaroo and its well known alliance with Emirates.
Points to be earned all round
From today, the Virgin Australia global network has increased, offering Velocity members a chance to earn Points, have redemption opportunities and access tier benefits across 61 new destinations. The new destinations spread far and wide, including Ankara, Turkey; Warsaw, Poland; and Peshawar, Pakistan.
To celebrate the partnership, Privilege Club members can earn Avios and QPoints on flights operated by Virgin Australia, and Velocity Frequent Flyer members can now earn Velocity Points and Status Credits for flights operated by Qatar Airways.
Virgin Australia Group Chief Executive Officer, Jayne Hrdlicka, is pleased to see the loyalty of members be rewarded.
“For our more than 10.8 million Velocity members, they’ll now be able to earn and redeem Velocity Points to over 500 destinations globally when travelling with Virgin Australia, Qatar Airways and our long list of renowned international airline partners. Eligible Velocity members will also receive a host of premium benefits when travelling with Qatar Airways, including lounge access and priority check-in and boarding.”
A cause for celebration for the aviation partnership
Up until 5 December 2022, Privilege Club members will be able to earn double Avios when flying on a Virgin Australia flight as part of a promotion to commemorate the union between airlines. Velocity members will also have access to discounted fares for bookings made with Qatar between 7 September and 12 October 2022 for travel until 31 March 2023.
Virgin is also running a competition that gives three lucky Velocity Frequent Flyer members a chance to win one million Points each if they fly with Qatar before the end of the year.
Passengers will need to keep an eye out, as more information and offerings for Business travel with Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways are to launch soon.
Are you excited about the Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways partnership? Let us know in the comments below!
Great news only hope is I can earn Avios and q points when flying domestically only,I can only earn q points with Qantas if there is a international leg included in booking.