United Airlines new Virgin Australia/Velocity Partner

[jase05]

My thoughts exactly - we’re a little starved of details here.

On the other hand, gives me some time to get covid over and done with before heading out. Couldn’t imagine anything worse than having to recover mid-trip and having to scramble to change flights/hotels or deal with insurance while sick

I think early on it was announced that if approved flights would be loaded into the system commencing in April.

 

[HS-TQE]

Not all of UA's 5 routes ex-SYD/MEL pre-pandemic will be online when the partnership starts either.

SYD-IAH will be the last route to re-commence, with a Late October (Early November) date currently pencilled.

 

[jase05]

US DoT has approved the UA/VA codeshare & FF agreement until March 2024.
That's a 2 year term before renewal to the US authorities.

Interestingly I saw this
“The Australian airline also requests code-share authorization through United’s foreign partners such as: Lufthansa Group, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Scandinavian Airlines SAS, TAP Air Portugal, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Azul Linhas Aereas, Asiana Airlines, Air Canada, Croatia Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Aer Lingus”

The full US DoT lodgement is embedded in this article for those that are interested

DoT Clears United Airlines and Virgin Australia Code-Sharing Agreement

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) has authorized the codeshare agreement between United Airlines and Virgin Australia requested in Dockets DOT-OST-2022-0002 and DOT-OST-2004-19148. Both carriers placed their «UA» and «VA» codes on their flights between the United States and Australia. The

www.aviacionline.com

 

[henrus]

The Australian airline also requests code-share authorization through United’s foreign partners such

Time to spin up the Star Alliance theories again

Maybe this time Greg over the ditch might see VA in a more positive light!

 

[HS-TQE]

Interestingly I saw this
“The Australian airline also requests code-share authorization through United’s foreign partners such as: Lufthansa Group, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Scandinavian Airlines SAS, TAP Air Portugal, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Azul Linhas Aereas, Asiana Airlines, Air Canada, Croatia Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Aer Lingus”

The full US DoT lodgement is embedded in this article for those that are interested

DoT Clears United Airlines and Virgin Australia Code-Sharing Agreement

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) has authorized the codeshare agreement between United Airlines and Virgin Australia requested in Dockets DOT-OST-2022-0002 and DOT-OST-2004-19148. Both carriers placed their «UA» and «VA» codes on their flights between the United States and Australia. The

www.aviacionline.com

That entire list already codeshares with UA domestically within the USA and to short haul international (Canada, Mexico, etc) in the list. My understanding is that VA was requesting to add it's code next to that list in the DoT application.

Saying that, it'll be weird to see VA and NZ next to each other again, although on UA domestic flights within USA and short haul international to Canada/Mexico/etc rather than in Australia/NZ.

 

[bernardblack]

Time to spin up the Star Alliance theories again

Maybe this time Greg over the ditch might see VA in a more positive light!

Interestingly it's not just Star partners, either. I see Aer Lingus and Azul. It seems like a broader "airlines who codeshare on UA" set.

 

[HS-TQE]

Interestingly it's not just Star partners, either. I see Aer Lingus and Azul. It seems like a broader "airlines who codeshare on UA" set.

Correct.

If VA and/or the airlines in UA's existing codeshare partner list wish to codeshare beyond the US domestic/US short haul international codeshares in the USA DoT application, they'll require separate approval applications with their respective countries.

 

[henrus]

Saying that, it'll be weird to see VA and NZ next to each other again

Until recently when agreements expired there were many SQ and EY flights carrying both the VA and NZ codes.

 

[HS-TQE]

Until recently when agreements expired many SQ and EY flights where carry both the VA and NZ codes.

Good point Forgot that SQ carried both VA and NZ codes until March 2020.

 

[bernardblack]

Looking to book a cash fare for my family from Denver to Vancouver to connect to a YVR-xSYD-MEL reward in J on QF, in the first week of June, at which point DL remains in play, and UA/AC should be ongoing.

Do we have a sense of UA baggage allowance based on Velocity status (Gold)? Do we expect it to match DL Velocity treatment, where you get the same allowance as the equivalent Mileage Plus elite? Because paying for luggage, or not, might change the calculus. (I'm considering many options, including flying to SEA and one-waying a rental car to YVR.)

 

[http_x92]

Looking forward to see the number of Velocity Points required for a return flight from SYD-SFO even in economy and I will end up using the United Mileageplus number. Have some Velocity points to use.

If its similar to Delta then its 44.8k one way + taxes to LAX.

 

[henrus]

Looking forward to see the number of Velocity Points required for a return flight from SYD-SFO

I'd be shocked if it's anything more than the current partner chart. I doubt United will end up on the same chart as Virgin but I wouldn't expect it to cost any more than current awards.

 

[jasecao]

I had a United flight from KONA to SFO booked in May, part of my Honeymoon which includes J reward Hawaiian airlines from Sydney. Last week I was able to place my VFF on the booking, so looks like part of their system is already up and running.

 

[Auski]

Interesting to see if VFF Gold get the same benefits as Star Alliance Gold on UA. Free Y+ upgrades?

 

[henrus]

Interesting to see if VFF Gold get the same benefits as Star Alliance Gold on UA. Free Y+ upgrades?

Star alliance gold don't get free Y+ on United.

 

[Auski]

Star alliance gold don't get free Y+ on United.

My understanding was that Star alliance Gold got the same benefits as Mileage Plus Gold (who get free Y+), maybe not.

 

[henrus]

My understanding was that Star alliance Gold got the same benefits as Mileage Plus Gold (who get free Y+), maybe not.

Star Alliance Gold don't get anywhere near the same benefits as Mileage Plus Gold.

UA Gold get free upgrades from Y to F, free Y+ seating, free preferred seating, Checked baggage at 32kg (Star Gold only get 23kg unless in a premium cabin).

What they don't get is United Club access unless booked on an international flight/ticket.

I can't see the UA/VA partnership providing many extra benefits above the standard *G benefits. This means if UA does give VA Gold/Plat similar benefits to *G then expect at least the following:

- 1 free checked bag (or extra bag if included in ticket)
- Premium boarding/check in/ baggage/security (Premier Access)
- United Club access (+1 guest) when travelling on UA flight numbers

 

[HS-TQE]

UA's MEL-SFO resumption pushed back till June. No date given on MEL-LAX resumption but it's speculated to be around late October (at the same time as the currently confirmed SYD-IAH).

Seems SFO all round (both QF and UA) demand hasn't as high as both hoped.

 

[jase05]

Had to call VA on a different matter but did ask the helpful lady if she knew anything about the partnership and she mentioned that the codeshare flights should be loaded into the system around about Easter and that hopefully everything will be on line by April 20th

 

[antycbr]

Had to call VA on a different matter but did ask the helpful lady if she knew anything about the partnership and she mentioned that the codeshare flights should be loaded into the system around about Easter and that hopefully everything will be on line by April 20th

How long were you on hold?