Link Airways / Virgin Australia expand NSW regional partnership.

[HS-TQE]

Written by Matt Lennon on Executive Traveller.

Would be good news for those connecting to/from Link in BNE and SYD to regional NSW, and of course those on SYD-CBR.

Beginning from 22 August, travellers on Link flights will earn two points for every dollar spent on Deal or Standard fares or five points per dollar paid on Freedom and Flexible fares.

Further, flyers booking Freedom and Flexible fares will gain access to Virgin Australia lounges in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to enjoy before boarding their flight.

Link Airways flies to 16 capital and regional airports in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, with the majority served from Brisbane.

 

[Mattg]

Details about Velocity earn rates on Link Airways website:

Velocity Frequent Flyer | Link Airways

We've partnered with Velocity, the loyalty program of Virgin Australia. Earn Velocity Points and experience Link Airways’ renown service on every flight, book today!

www.linkairways.com

 

[clifford]

Having flown Link once from SYD to CBR (VA flight number), I won't be rushing to fly Link again...

 

[Saab34]

Having flown Link once from SYD to CBR (VA flight number), I won't be rushing to fly Link again...

Please tell

 

[Milefest]

Please tell

I too would like to understand the missing Link

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

No J cabin, esp for what they charge ADL - SYD - CBR, what a money stealer, esp no J SYD - CBR, meaning no lounge access in SYD, and yet they dare to charge near $xx_.
Not a happy poochie.

 

[antycbr]

No J cabin, esp for what they charge ADL - SYD - CBR, what a money stealer, esp no J SYD - CBR, meaning no lounge access in SYD, and yet they dare to charge near $xx_.
Not a happy poochie.

Have you looked at what QF charge for the same route? Generally including a Dash on SYD-CBR?

 

[SheikYerbouti]

Since I travel SYD-DBO a lot I wish they'd do this route, I'm a VFF but am forced onto QF or ZL.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Though, ZL do say they are starting their FF system sometime this year.
So maybe, its as good as VFF/0.75 of QFF, maybe better.
For antycbr, at least with QF they offer 717 (maybe no J on some of them), and sometimes they fly the 737 down there from SYD.
Ie, choice.

 

[jumpjam]

As I regularly fly CBR_NTL this is a bonus to get Velocity points. Planes are slightly larger than Pelican so I prefer Link if possible. I would love for those with VFF status to have lounge access in CBR before flight.

 

[jase05]

As I regularly fly CBR_NTL this is a bonus to get Velocity points. Planes are slightly larger than Pelican so I prefer Link if possible. I would love for those with VFF status to have lounge access in CBR before flight.

I wonder if there is a possibility in the future that VA could offer codeshare flights on Link.

 

[jumpjam]

I wonder if there is a possibility in the future that VA could offer codeshare flights on Link.

It would be great if they did

 

[Mattg]

Just called up to get my Velocity number added to an existing upcoming booking. No wait time, wasn't a problem and done in about a minute.

 

[AIRwin]

I'm now in the BNE lounge and just heard a boarding announcement of a Link Airways flight to Wollongong...

 

[jase05]

I'm now in the BNE lounge and just heard a boarding announcement of a Link Airways flight to Wollongong...

Just on 2hrs in Y on a Saab
Only direct service I believe though between the two points which makes it attractive for those in the area and with the right fare you get VA lounge access in BNE and some points.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Just on 2hrs in Y on a Saab
Only direct service I believe though between the two points which makes it attractive for those in the area and with the right fare you get VA lounge access in BNE and some points.

Agreed - when I lived in Wollongong and QF ran direct to MEL it was a choice between direct on the Dash 8-200 - 10 minute drive, minimal security and slightly longer flight vs. 60-90 minute drive, parking fees, security and a jet. The equation was even better for those who lived south of Albion Park, although it was only 1-2 services each way daily. The issue for QF was making that route make money on a consistent basis - I'd be interested to see whether Link can get it done.

 

[Catweazle]

Wish we could use points to book on Link between MEL - WOL. That would be convenient.

Then again, MEL - PER or BME is probably better value for points if I just took the train from SYD to WOL...

 

[Mattg]

Wish we could use points to book on Link between MEL - WOL. That would be convenient.

Then again, MEL - PER or BME is probably better value for points if I just took the train from SYD to WOL...

I suspect that if this was offered, it would be at a rate that you didn't really want to redeem your Velocity points anyway

 

[jrfsp]

Further expansion of the partnership

• "More than 90 services per week to be operated by Link Airways, with Virgin Australia codesharing on these services under the agreement, including services to Inverell, Wollongong, and Biloela which are not currently serviced by any other major airline."

Virgin Australia set to increase regional network by nearly half in significant partnership expansion with Link Airways

newsroom.virginaustralia.com

• Brisbane <> Coffs Harbour (BNE-CFS)
• Brisbane <> Bundaberg (BNE-BDB)
• Brisbane <> Biloela (BNE-ZBL)
• Brisbane <> Inverell (BNE-IVR)
• Brisbane <> Narrabri (BNE-NAA)
• Brisbane <> Dubbo (BNE-DBO)
• Brisbane <> Orange (BNE-OAG)
• Brisbane <> Tamworth (BNE-TMW)
• Brisbane <> Armidale (BNE-ARM)
• Brisbane <> Wollongong (BNE-WOL)
• Sydney <> Narrabri (SYD-NAA)
• Sydney <> Inverell (BNE-IVR)
• Melbourne <> Dubbo (MEL-DBO)
• Melbourne <> Orange (MEL-OAG)
• Melbourne <> Wollongong (MEL-WOL)
• Canberra <> Hobart (CBR-HBA)
• Canberra <> Newcastle (CBR-NTL)

 

[justinbrett]

So it's basically VirginLink now?