VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Restarting Doha flights with Qatar Airways from June

Although Qatar Airways has resumed some of its Australian network flights as of 1 May, Virgin Australia’s wet-leased flights using Qatar Airways aircraft are not returning until June

The return to the wet lease agreement is cautious because of the Middle East conflict. Virgin Australia has confirmed its Doha flights will resume from mid-June, but with some notable gaps.

After being grounded since late February due to the ongoing fallout from the Iran war, Virgin’s Sydney and Melbourne services to Doha are set to restart from Monday, June 15. It’s a partial restart, though.

Sydney and Melbourne return first

Virgin’s daily Sydney–Doha and Melbourne–Doha flights will be the first to come back. These services are operated using Boeing 777 aircraft supplied by Qatar Airways and flown by Qatar Airways crew under a wet-lease agreement.

Those flights originally launched in late 2025, offering Australian travellers a one-stop alternative to Europe, the UK and beyond via Qatar’s Doha hub.

Their suspension earlier this year was one of the more visible impacts of the Middle East conflict on Australian long-haul travel. This means their scheduled return is a sign that conditions are expected to stabilise. That, however, is by no means certain, and travellers need to be aware that the Australian Government currently (as of 2 May) still has a ‘do not fly’ recommendation. That’s important as it may impact the validity of your travel insurance.

Brisbane and Perth still waiting

Virgin’s Brisbane–Doha and Perth–Doha services remain on ice until at least September 14, with no firm restart date locked in. That leaves travellers in Queensland and Western Australia relying on other carriers. The alternative is connecting domestically to Sydney or Melbourne if Doha is still on the itinerary.

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways itself is gradually rebuilding its Australian footprint, with Brisbane flights returning from May 16 and Adelaide following on June 16.

Already booked on a cancelled flight

Virgin says it is contacting impacted passengers directly, but if you’re booked on one of these routes, you’ve got a few options.

Travellers with bookings made before April 30 for departures up to September 15 can switch to a new travel date before October 31 without paying a change fee. But you will need to cover any fare difference.

Alternatively, you can cancel and hold the value of your ticket as a travel credit for use up to March 31, 2027. Refunds are also on the table, depending on your fare conditions.

These are a relatively flexible set of policies. They reflect the ongoing uncertainty around travel through the region.

A word of caution

Smartraveller is still maintaining a ‘Do not travel’ advisory for parts of the Middle East, including for transit in some cases. That has implications not just for your travel plans, but also for your insurance cover.

If you’re considering flying via Doha, make sure your policy covers disruptions linked to changing travel advisories, cancellations, or delays.

2PAXfly takeout

Virgin Australia is dipping its toe back into the Middle East market. Initially flightw will be from Sydney and Melbourne, while holding back Brisbane and Perth. It’s a sensible, risk-managed approach, albeit in the self-interest of both airlines.

For travellers, it may be worth rebooking and hoping for the best. Be aware that the Middle East conflict is not over yet, so further disruptions are possible. Watch the pricing too. Middle East airlines have been offering some good deals because of the risks involved. If you can still get a cheap deal, that might mean that the airline still perceives a high risk profile.

I would be rebooking for the next three months with some caution, if I were you. If your travel is vital, maybe book a refundable contingency fare on a carrier that avoids the Middle East. But expect to pay handsomely for that assurance.