Image Credit: Virgin Australia
Qatar Airways, voted the ‘World’s Best Airline’ at the 2021 Skytrax industry awards, and Australia’s most loved carrier, Virgin Australia, have officially commenced a strategic partnership that significantly expands the networks, lounges and loyalty programs of both airlines, bringing substantial benefits and new destinations to travellers.
Announced in May 2022, the partnership opens seamless travel to over 150 destinations across the extensive Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia networks, creating a new gateway of seamless travel between Australia, the Middle-East, Europe and Africa, including to popular destinations such as London, Paris, Rome and Athens. Flights can already be booked on each airline’s websites, for travel effective 12 September 2022.
Members of Privilege Club will be able to 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. Reward seats are also now available to book on eligible services operated by both airlines. From 12 September, eligible members of both loyalty programs will also receive additional tier benefits, including priority check-in, priority boarding, and lounge access irrespective of their class of travel.
The strategic partnership is set to provide a critical trade and tourism boost for Australia and Qatar, while opening a world of new travel opportunities for both airline’s customers.
To commemorate the start of the partnership, Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways today held a launch event at Brisbane Airport, featuring dancers representing various countries that can be accessed on the Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia networks.
Special promotions for Privilege Club and Velocity Members
Privilege Club members will earn double Avios when they book and fly on any Virgin Australia flight until 5 December 2022. Similarly, Velocity members will enjoy a special offer with discounted fares for any booking made on Qatar’s website between 7 September and 12 October 2022 for travel until 31 March 2023 (block out periods apply). Three lucky Velocity Frequent Flyer members will also win 1 million Points each by flying on Qatar Airways before 31 December 2022*.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said:
“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.”
“This partnership will also allow Qatar Airways Privilege Club members to earn and redeem Avios when flying on Virgin Australia. Passengers will benefit from the award-winning facilities of our hub at Hamad International Airport, recently voted the World’s Best Airport for two consecutive years, to create a comfortable journey. It also opens up Australia to our passengers flying in on Qatar Airways flights, after such a long, difficult time.”
Virgin Australia Group Chief Executive Officer, Jayne Hrdlicka, said:
“Today is an incredibly exciting day for Virgin Australia and our loyal Velocity Frequent Flyer members with Qatar Airways officially joining the Virgin Australia family.
“We are continuing to deliver on our promise to grow our international network, and from today, our guests will have direct access to over 150 destinations worldwide on the Qatar network, including more access to the Middle East, Europe and Africa than we have ever offered in the history of our airline.
“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 access to lounge access and priority check-in and boarding.
“The partnership will also allow Virgin Australia to show our famous hospitality and all the incredible scenery and unique experiences we have in Australia when Qatar Airways’ customers and Privilege Club members fly on our network.
“It’s a fantastic partnership and we are proud to be joining forces with Qatar Airways.”
Business travel offering to launch soon
Coming soon, Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways will launch a market leading proposition for business travellers, providing more choice and value for business flyers travelling between Australia, the Middle East and Europe.
NOTES TO EDITORS
With the continued expansion of the Virgin Australia Group global network, the airline will offer Points earn and redemption opportunities and tier benefits for Velocity members to the following new destinations from today:
- Abuja, Nigeria
- Accra, Ghana
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Al Najaf, Iraq
- Alexandria, Egypt
- Algiers, Algeria
- Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Amristar, India
- Angeles/Mabalacat, Philippines
- Ankara, Turkey
- Baghdad, Iraq
- Baku, Azerbaijan
- Basrah, Iraq
- Belgrade, Serbia
- Berlin, Germany
- Bucharest, Romania
- Budapest, Hungary
- Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
- Dijbouti, Dijbouti
- Entebbe, Uganda
- Erbil, Iraq
- Esfahan, Iran
- Gassim, Saudi Arabia
- Goa, India
- Harare, Zimbabwe
- Helsinki, Finland
- Khartoum, Sudan
- Kiliminjaro, Tanzania
- Kozhilkode, India
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Lanarca, Cyprus
- Luanda, Angola
- Lusaka, Zambia
- Luxor, Egypt
- Madinah, Saudi Arabia
- Maputo, Mozambique
- Mashad, Iran
- Mikonos, Greece
- Mogadishu, Somalia
- Multan, Pakistan
- Nagpur, India
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Oslo, Norway
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Salalah, Oman
- Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Sharjah, UAE
- Shiraz, Iran
- Sialkot, Pakistan
- Sofia, Bulgaria
- Sulaimaniyah, Iraq
- Tbilisi, Georgia
- Tehran, Iran
- Thira, Greece
- Thiruvananthapuram, India
- Tunis, Tunisia
- Warsaw, Poland
- Windhoek, Namibia
- Yerevan, Armenia
- Zagreb, Croatia
ABOUT QATAR AIRWAYS
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’. The airline continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an unprecedented sixth time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021).
Qatar Airways has also become the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by Skytrax. This follows the success of Hamad International Airport as the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating. These awards provide assurance to passengers across the world that the airline’s health and safety measures are subject to the highest possible standards of professional, independent scrutiny and assessment. For full details of all the measures that have been implemented on board and at HIA, please visit qatarairways.com/safety.
ABOUT VIRGIN AUSTRALIA
Founded in the Year 2000 by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Australia is now one of the largest Australian airlines operating an extensive domestic network as well as short-haul international, charter and cargo services, and the award-winning loyalty program, Velocity Frequent Flyer. The Group employs more than 6,000 people and has been a competitor in the Australian aviation landscape for 22 years.
Virgin Australia boasts more than 10.8 million Velocity members who can use their Points to redeem flights to over 500 destinations around the world through Virgin Australia and the airline’s extensive list of international partner carriers, including, Qatar Airways.
Virgin Australia is incredibly focused on providing great travel experiences, optionality to fly the way you want to, and value through competitive airfare pricing. Three seating choices are offered when flying Virgin Australia international and domestic services; Business Class, Economy X (extra leg room Economy) and Economy.
Since November 2020, Virgin Australia has announced it will increase its Boeing 737 fleet by more than 60 per cent, from 58 to 92 aircraft, including the addition of more fuel efficient Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 10 aircraft in 2023.
Virgin Australia has won several awards over the years including Best Cabin Crew and top 10 airline finalist in the 2022 AirlineRatings.com Excellence Awards. In the same awards in 2019, Virgin Australia again won Best Cabin Crew as well as Best Economy Class cabin. The same year saw Virgin Australia win Best Domestic Airline at the Australian Federation of Travel Agents National Travel Industry Awards and Velocity Frequent Flyer scooped a wealth of prestigious gongs at the Freddie Awards including Best Program of the Year, Best Customer Service and Best Redemption Ability for the Asia/Middle East and Oceania Airline category.
COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS
*The Promoter is Velocity Frequent Flyer Pty Ltd (ACN 601 408 824) of registered address 275 Grey St, South Brisbane QLD 4101. The Promotion commences at 0:01 am AEST on 18 August 2022 and ends at 11:59 pm AEST on 31 December 2022 (Promotion Period). Entry is open to Velocity members who are Australian residents, aged 18 years or older, except employees of the Promoter, Velocity employees, employees of agencies associated with this Promotion, and their immediate families (Entrants). To enter the Promotion, Entrants must (1) Before or during the Promotion Period, visit virginaustralia.com, qatarairways.com or their preferred Travel Agent and book any Qatar Airways operated flight with either a VA or QR flight number (Eligible Flights) and fly between 18 August 2022 and 31 December 2022 (inclusive) (For the avoidance of doubt, Eligible Flights can be booked prior to the Promotion Period): , (2) during the promotion period enter their Velocity membership number in the booking, and (3) during the promotion go to the Velocity competition landing page (https://competitions.virginaustralia.com/competition/Qatar-points-millionaire) and explain in 25 words or less why they would like to be a Velocity Points Millionaire. There will be 3 Winners, who will be notified by email within 2 business days of the judging (to be held at 9am on 16 January 2023). There are 3 Prizes to be won: Each prize consists of 1 Million Velocity Frequent Flyer Bonus Points. The Bonus Points will automatically be added to the winning membership accounts. Codeshare services marketed or operated by partner airlines, other than Qatar Airways or Virgin Australia, are not eligible for this offer. Winners’ information will be shared with Qatar Airways. Full competition terms and conditions can be accessed via https://competitions.virginaustralia.com/competition/qatar_competition_tcs
