VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Discounted long-haul international airfares via Doha announced

Pending final approval from regulators, we now know what the cost of long-haul international routes will be travelling on Virgin Australia, and their wet-leased aircraft via Doha. And, you can book them from today.

If you remember, Virgin Australia has masterfully parlayed a proposed 25% stake by Qatar Airways, and a wet-leased aircraft and crews into a new long-haul international arm of the airline. As well as making Virgin Australia a truly international airline, it also effectively gives Qatar Airways the additional daily services it wanted from four of Australia’s capital cities.

Qatar Airways last application, on its own was denied by the Australian Government. This new tie up effectively allows Qatar Airwas the new serivces it wanted, but under the banner of Virgin Australia. Very clever.

Virgin Australia Pricing

The expectation was that pricing would be competitive, at least for the launch of the new services at the peak of the European summer travel season. Well they are, in all classes. So buy them while they are hot!

The new routes are availalbe for booking today, and for travel from 12 June (Sydney), 19 June (Brisbane) and 25 June (Perth).Here are the fares on the wet-leased Qatar Airways Boeing 777 aircraft complete with QSuites in business:

• Sydney — London: Economy return from AU$1,982, Business return from AU$10,061
• Brisbane — Rome: Economy return from $1,945, Business return from AU$9,507
• Perth — Paris: Economy return from $1,791, Business return from AU$7,756

Looking at a spectrum of dates and fares, the discount can range from about AU$500 to closer to AU$800 on the Sydney to London route. Around AU$1,500 in business on the Brisbane/Rome route, and a little over AU$200 on Perth to Paris. Better than a kick in the head.

Pricing for flights out of Melbourne are not available yet, as they don’t commence until later in the year.

Flying via Doha means you have access to Qatar Airways 100 destinations, across Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Virgin Australia Velocity Points bonus

You will earn bonus Velocity Points on these fares (20,000 Business and 10,000 for Economy). But be careful about when you book, and travel. Bonus Points only apply if you book before 20 January 2025 for travel between 12 June – 30 September 2025.

Virgin Australia Status Credits

The earn rate on Status Credits gets complicated. First, it does not fit within Virgin Australia’s standard but controversial spend-based status earning regime, usually at the rate of one credit for each AU$12. For trips on the Australia / Doha legs, earn rate will be based on your type of fare, and the miles flown. To add to the confusion, rates will change from 1 October 2025.

• 45 status credits for Economy Choice
• 80 status credits for Economy Flex
• 160 status credits for Business

From 1 October, status earn is:

• Sydney & Brisbane to Doha:
  • 37 for Economy Choice
  • 70 for Economy Flex
  • 140 for Business
• Melbourne to Doha:
  • 35 status credits for Economy Choice
  • 65 in Economy Flex
  • 130 in Business
• Perth to Doha:
  • 30 status credits for Economy Choice
  • 55 for Economy Flex
  • 110 For Business

Earn rates for the leg beyond Doha, are not clear, but assume they are at Virgin Australia partner earning rates for Qatar Airways.

Lounge access

There hasn’t been an announcement about which lounges passengers on these newly launched routes will be able to access. The prediction is that they will exploit Qatar Airways current lounge arrangements, and Virgin’s newly renewed relationship with Air New Zealand.

If that is the case them premium passengers including Business and Gold and Platinum flyers will access the Air New Zealand lounges in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney, and eventually the Marhaba Business Lounge in Melbourne.

In Doha it will be the Qatar Airways lounges. For Business, that’ the Al mourjan Lounge. For Platinums in economy, thats the Platinum Lounge, and for golds – you guessed it, Qatar Airways Gold Lounge.

2PAXfly Takeout

Book now if you can, is my advice. You have littel to lose. Any moral misgivings aside, you will be travelling on one of the best airlines in the world with Qatar Airways at some of the best prices available at the moment.

If the whole Qatar/Virgin partnership and share deal is not approved by Australian regulators, then you will be fully protected and will get:

‘…either refunds or reaccommodation on suitable alternative flights and reimbursement for reasonably foreseeable costs if the new services aren’t able to go ahead as planned.’

Virgin Australia Media Release

Outgoing CEO Jayne Hrdlicka must be pretty pleased if she pulls off this deal as her ‘final act’ at Virgin Australia. It will be a truly memorable legacy, and will set the company up for its eventual sale as a successfuly domestic and international airline.