Qatar Airways shakes up Australian skies
Qatar Airways is strengthening its presence in Australia after joining forces with Virgin Australia to offer its passengers the possibility of code-share travel to Australia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
A partnership sealed with Virgin Australia
The alliance, which came into effect a few months ago after Qatar Airways bought a stake in Virgin Australia, estimated at 25% of its capital, allows the Qatari airline to expand its offer on its transatlantic routes.
Under the agreement, Qatar Airways is deploying its code-share on flights that connect Doha-Hamad and the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide daily.
The partnership between the two airlines will provide travellers with enhanced access, an unrivalled customer experience and unique benefits when travelling between Australia and Qatar Airways’ global network, with convenient transit options at the airline’s Doha-based Australian gateways and Virgin Australia’s major hubs.
The Qatari operator can now offer its passengers arriving in Australia or Australians themselves connectivity to 150 international destinations from the ocean country’s airports.
Exclusive privileges for passengers of both airlines
Similarly, Virgin Australia customers and members of the airline’s award-winning Velocity Frequent Flyer programme will be able to access the airline’s Oneworld alliance network directly under the VA code. Qatar Airways specifically highlights that it serves 54 cities in Europe with more than 600 flights per week, offering a wide range of new choices for Virgin Australia customers.
The strategic partnership also includes reciprocal loyalty benefits, allowing Qatar Airways Privilege Club members to earn and redeem Avios when flying on routes served by the Australian airline, with similar benefits for Velocity members when flying on Qatar Airways services.
Privilege Club and Velocity members will also enjoy a wide range of other unique benefits, depending on their status level, such as complimentary airport lounge access, free additional baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding and priority baggage delivery.
Jayne Hrdlicka, Group Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Australia, said: “The alliance with Qatar Airways can only be great news for Virgin Australia and Velocity Frequent Flyer members. We are incredibly focused on creating exceptional travel experiences, and our new partnership with the Qatari giant will significantly expand Virgin Australia’s footprint across the Middle East, Europe and Africa, offering hundreds more ways for our customers to seamlessly see the world.”
Qsuite cabin available on Qatar Airways flights scheduled from Australia
On its scheduled flights from Oceania’s largest country, the Qatari national airline, a member of the Oneworld alliance, deploys its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which can accommodate 42 passengers in its Qsuite class.
This cabin includes the first Business Class seat that can convert into a double bed, and has modular panels allowing passengers to recreate their own private or convivial space. Similarly, the television screens can be moved to allow passengers to have space for up to four people.
Global connections with Australia
the Qatari carrier offers more than 4,300 seats daily to and from Australia’s five airports, offering its Australian customers the most technologically advanced fleet of aircraft in the world, and demonstrating the importance of the market for its network.
Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Group CEO of Qatar Airways, said: “As our airline continues to grow in Australia, we are pleased to contribute to the market by providing greater choice for consumers through our award-winning cabins and services, and increased accessibility to global markets for businesses through our strong global network spanning hundreds of destinations across the globe.