Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia have signed a new strategic partnership agreement that will “significantly expand both airlines’ networks, lounges and loyalty programmes” according to the award-winning carriers.
Commencing mid-2022, the partnership will give travellers greater access, elevated customer experiences and unique benefits when travelling 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.
“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,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker.
“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 the wonderful tourism industry that Qatar has to offer.
“For those travelling farther afield, they will benefit from the award-winning facilities of our hub, Hamad International Airport, enabling their onward journey.
“It also opens up the beautiful, cosmopolitan nation of Australia to our passengers flying in on Qatar Airways flights, after such a long, difficult time,” he said.
Qatar Airways currently operates daily flights into Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth as well as three weekly flights into Adelaide continuing into Auckland, New Zealand.
Thanks to the new codeshare agreement, Qatar Airways’ passengers will be able to travel seamlessly to 35 destinations on Virgin Australia’s extensive domestic network, including key popular Australian tourist destinations, including Cairns, Gold…