Updated

Etihad rips up Virgin frequent flier partnership after Qatar deal

Fiona Carruthers and Ayesha de Kretser

Updated Nov 18, 2024 – 4.50pm, first published at 12.24pm

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Etihad has pulled out of a longstanding partnership with Virgin Australia, ending codesharing and frequent flyer arrangements, after Bain Capital agreed to sell a 25 per cent stake in the carrier to Qatar Airways.

Virgin’s Velocity customers have been able to earn and use their points on Etihad flights, with those on the Persian Gulf airline’s loyalty scheme able to do the same in Australia. From June, passengers will also not be able to book Virgin flights through Etihad’s booking channels, the airline said.

Fiona Carruthers has written and edited travel for the Financial Review for almost a decade. She has held senior roles with ABC Radio National, Deutsche Welle Radio, TIME and The Australian, and was deputy editor of Traveller.

Ayesha de Kretser is a senior reporter with The Australian Financial Review covering the aviation and tourism sectors. She has previously reported on banking, mining and commodity markets.