Virgin Australia and Qatar Announce Strategic Partnership

[Brizz]

What a great set of quotes - Brutal honesty

 

[RAM]

Interesting comments from Qatar Airlines CEO Akbar Al Baker at an Air Transport Conference, especially given the past relations between QR and QF! The Oz on-line



And on delays at airports (not DOH )

How un-Q like: telling it like it is!

CEO of Sydney Airport admits on TV last night that on recent long weekend that passenger load was around 100% of pre-Covid but staffing across Sydney Airport was only at 70% of pre-Covid levels.

Over to you Alan!

 

[HSB44]

70% match fit?

 

[SCM]

Does anyone know this, to obtain the velocity statuses (like silver, gold, plat) you need X amount of VA flights. Does that mean VA metal or codeshare will do? So for example would these QR operated codeshare flights quality? And I guess the same question for any other codeshare like EY.

 

[andye]

Does anyone know this, to obtain the velocity statuses (like silver, gold, plat) you need X amount of VA flights. Does that mean VA metal or codeshare will do? So for example would these QR operated codeshare flights quality? And I guess the same question for any other codeshare like EY.

I have previously earned eligible sectors on EY metal with VA flight numbers.
Was years ago but don't see why it should have changed

 

[Bagpuss]

Does anyone know this, to obtain the velocity statuses (like silver, gold, plat) you need X amount of VA flights. Does that mean VA metal or codeshare will do? So for example would these QR operated codeshare flights quality? And I guess the same question for any other codeshare like EY.

If you are flying on any metal (IE EY, QR, UA) and you have purchased a Virgin ticket, so it's VA<number> it is an eligible sector and will count to status retention.

VELOCITY MEMBERSHIP STATUS Enjoy benefits that are tailored to your Velocity membership level.

As a Platinum, Gold or Silver Velocity member, Velocity member, you will receive all the benefits you expect from a world-class global frequent flyer program, plus a unique range of benefits tailored with our Platinum and Gold Velocity members in mind

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

 

[HS-TQE]

QR will expand their DOH-ADL-AKL service to 5 weekly. Good news for VA FFs in ADL.
ADL-AKL service will still be a redeye and a early afternoon service back from AKL to ADL after a brief layover in AKL.

Qatar Airways expands Adelaide service - InDaily

Qatar Airways is increasing the number of weekly services it runs between Adelaide and Doha as South Australia’s international tourism market tries to get off the ground.

indaily.com.au

 

[SCM]

At the moment QR J is one of the most expensive from AU to EU, just wondering if anyone has thoughts on this for the VA partnership? Will QR drop prices anytime soon? I can't imagine their oil costs are very high. SQ is about 6k to QR's 8k for most European cities, but no codeshare with VA unfortunately.

 

[bam71]

They’ll only drop their prices if they need to, and with current demand being what it is ………

 

[BNEFlyer]

At the moment QR J is one of the most expensive from AU to EU, just wondering if anyone has thoughts on this for the VA partnership? Will QR drop prices anytime soon? I can't imagine their oil costs are very high. SQ is about 6k to QR's 8k for most European cities, but no codeshare with VA unfortunately.

Once the agreement begins next month you'll start to see codeshare flights loaded.

 

[Mr H]

At the moment QR J is one of the most expensive from AU to EU, just wondering if anyone has thoughts on this for the VA partnership? Will QR drop prices anytime soon? I can't imagine their oil costs are very high. SQ is about 6k to QR's 8k for most European cities, but no codeshare with VA unfortunately.

QR would be arguing that their Q Suites service is F in all but name - to allow people to use it when their employers' policies prohibit travel in F. So QR would say they are cheaper than SQ F. The SQ J product has misalignment between seats and footwells making lieflat quite uncomfortable for most passengers.

Your money, your choice.

 

[SCM]

QR would be arguing that their Q Suites service is F in all but name - to allow people to use it when their employers' policies prohibit travel in F. So QR would say they are cheaper than SQ F. The SQ J product has misalignment between seats and footwells making lieflat quite uncomfortable for most passengers.

Your money, your choice.

I don't disagree with that, it's just that QR J (and yes q-suites) used to be much cheaper. I understand they are having huge demand for this product, and I guess that's why, I'm just wondering how long that persists I guess.

 

[Dec1971]

Do we know when the VA / Qatar partnership will be formalized and fully in play? The VA website states the current state of play as "Coming Soon".
Currently holding off a Qatar booking for later in the year until this has been confirmed.
Cheers!

 

[Grimace1]

Qatar Airways joins the Velocity Program. Effective 6th September 2022, members of Velocity Frequent Flyer will be able to Earn Velocity Points and Status Credits and book Reward Seats on eligible Qatar Airways operated services under a new strategic partnership.

It looks like Velocity members don't get extra baggage with Qatar airways though;

For platinum & gold members; these benefits apply;

• Priority check-in (from 12 September 2022) 5
• Priority boarding (from 12 September 2022) 5
• Qatar Airways Lounge Access (from 12 September 2022) 5

Silver members;

• Priority check-in (from 12 September 2022)5

5. Please ensure you download the Velocity Frequent Flyer App as a valid virtual or physical membership card needs to be presented to attain benefits.

 

[Brizz]

They are on the more expensive of the 2 redemption tables same as Etihad.

Also there are significant carrier charges similar to Etihad.



Should be available to book tomorrow I guess!

 

[Mattg]

They are on the more expensive of the 2 redemption tables same as Etihad.

Also there are significant carrier charges similar to Etihad.

View attachment 291686

Should be available to book tomorrow I guess!

QR reward seats are already available on the VA website. And better availability than what is given to QFF members.

 

[Brizz]

Yes they are....



Not loving those carrier charges though, but they apply pretty much across the board now (Singapore, Etihad and Qatar)

 

[muppet]

QR reward seats are already available on the VA website. And better availability than what is given to QFF members.

I’m new returning to Velocity - is there any easy way to search business awards? Or just one day, one flight at a painful time?

 

[Mattg]

Yes they are....

View attachment 291689

Not loving those carrier charges though, but they apply pretty much across the board now (Singapore, Etihad and Qatar)

Did you book those seats? I'm having a look now and the J/F options are no longer there.

I’m new returning to Velocity - is there any easy way to search business awards? Or just one day, one flight at a painful time?

Theoretically you could use the website of a Oneworld airline. But there seems to be some funny things happening with availability at the moment. I'm seeing QR seats on the VA website right now that aren't showing as available on the JL or BA websites.

Once the dust has settled, I'll have another look.

 

[SYD]

So who’ll be first to drop a bunch of VFF pts on QR F ex-SYD and get to go to the QF F Lounge?

I‘m running down my VA pts. This could provide some interesting options for me. Question will be if I can get my QF WP status recognised on a VA award? Probably only an issue for me in SYD (and maybe SIN) but otherwise a QR J BP should get you into the better lounges anyway.