‘Much needed’: Virgin Australia and new partner Qatar Airways to begin taking bookings

The holiday season has started early for Australians, who now have more options for international travel after two major airlines joined forces.

Australians will be able to book international flights to more than 100 destinations with Virgin Airlines under its new partnership with Qatar Airways from December 12.

It’s the next step in a major shake-up of international travel for Australians, with more competition to become available for flights to Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Virgin Australia chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka told NewsWire the new partnership was targeting the peak European summer and would offer travellers cheaper long-haul flights.

“The partnership between Qatar and Virgin Australia is going to bring much-needed competition, especially flying to Europe,” she said.

“Competition is great for everyone. The more opportunities and choices consumers have the harder everyone has to work.”

Ms Hrdlicka stopped short of saying customers had been overpaying since Covid but noted prices could fall with this new deal.

“It has taken a while post-Covid for everything to return to a balanced field for a lot of reasons. This is our opportunity to help improve the competitive dynamic,” she said.

Virgin chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka said the Qatar partnerships was a game changer for Australians travelling internationally. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Virgin Australia has been largely out of the international market since it was sold following its collapse in 2020. Picture / Supplied

Virgin, which has largely been out of the international market for 4½ years, is returning to global travel as part of the Qatar Airways partnership, which is still to be given final approvals.

But Virgin is allowed to take bookings from Thursday for new services to fly directly from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth to Doha for travel from June next year. Melbourne will start

later in 2025.

“It is a tricky thing to get back into long-haul international flying, you need to have scale in order to be able to compete. To compete over time you have to be able to generate enough profit, so the partnership with Qatar gives us the ability to do this much quicker than we otherwise could,” Ms Hrdlicka said.

She said the partnership with Qatar Airways was a game-changer, “driving benefits to consumers, the economy and Australian aviation”.

“Partnering with Qatar Airways means we’re delivering the gold standard in global travel –seamless connections and world-class service – and increasing market competition to provide

better value and fares,” Ms Hrdlicka said.

Virgin Australia is expected to begin operating international services for the first time in nearly five years from next June in the Qatar partnership gets regulatory approval. Picture: NewsWire / Tertius Pickard

“Exploring the world has never been more accessible.

“This is a huge win for Australian travellers which brings more value and choice for passengers wanting to fly internationally.

“Through this partnership Virgin Australia becomes stronger, improving our ability to compete domestically – which is great news for Virgin Australia, our people and consumers.”

The flights will be operated by Virgin Australia using Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777s, renowned for their Qsuite business class.

“This partnership is a critical piece in Virgin Australia’s long-term strategy and a huge vote of

confidence in Australian aviation, further strengthening Virgin Australia’s long-term

competitiveness and growth of the aviation industry in Australia.”

From the Qatar perspective, Ms Hrdlicka noted the importance of the Australian market.

“Australians love to travel and are an important feed over Doha airport,” she said.

Virgin does not currently fly to Doha or Europe and has limited international operations since its collapse in 2020.

After Bain Capital purchased the airline, it axed loss-making long-haul services such as to Los Angeles.

Qatar has proposed taking a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia and providing a five-year “wet lease” agreement.

Virgin Australia has teamed up with Qatar Airways to increase travel options and loyalty benefits for passengers of both airlines. Picture: Virgin Australia.

The proposed partnership between Qatar and Virgin is still be given the final OK, but the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission has given preliminary approval allowing the airlines to start taking bookings.

“We consider that granting interim authorisation now will allow Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia the lead time to undertake the necessary planning discussions, marketing, selling and system alignment in preparation for Virgin Australia to commence flying the new services by June 2025,” ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said.

The new services will be offered subject to final regulatory approval by the ACCC and other government bodies.

Travellers booking these flights now will be fully protected with options for 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 is offering special launch fares for the June flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth via Doha to European destinations.

Economy flights from:

• Perth to Paris Economy Choice return from $1791

• Sydney to London Economy Choice return from $1982

• Brisbane to Rome Economy Choice return from $1945