Virgin Australia and Qatar Announce Strategic Partnership

[justinbrett]

But normally only bookable as tag on to a long haul. eg QR/VA tag on BNE-SYD to SYD-DOH (all QR marketed). But not able to book a stand alone QR marketed VA operated BNE-SYD flight.

QF members can get status when travelling on EK operated flights sold as QF - but no requirement to have a QF flight connected. Eg - SYD-DXB-MAD, all on EK, all with QF numbers - all get status credits.

The same arrangement exists with LA since they departed oneworld.

 

[RooFlyer]

(To test the memory of some of the not-as-young-as-they-used-to-be set.)

 

[Saab34]

I will take a punt and say ANZ will be next.

 

[samh004]

This is an interesting turn of events. I wait to see if a person could be a member of QR’s loyalty program and earn/burn on either QF or VA alternately, and in the process decimating the number of active members in either frequent flyer scheme.

If someone said I could effectively fly on either major carrier in Australia, earning status/points with a third carrier, and then benefit with both, I’d probably dump both Australian schemes.

There’s competition and then there’s taking the P…

 

[justinbrett]

I will take a punt and say ANZ will be next.

Unlikely - Authorities won't approve co-operation trans-tasman, and domestically QF and NZ already have an agreement.

There's very little to be gained by sharing international networks excluding TT.

 

[jase05]

I will take a punt and say ANZ will be next.

I’m still tipping it’s the NH partnership that’s next especially when Japan starts opening up

 

[AIRwin]

Link to FAQs:

Virgin Australia Group Announces Partnership with Qatar Airways

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Here is the QR press release:

https://www.qatarairways.com/en/press-releases/2022/May/QR-VA-Partnership.html?activeTag=Press-releases

 

[justinbrett]

Just noticed the promo image, whilst having both crews, only has a QR aircraft - no VA tail to be seen.

Isn't it more traditional to feature aircraft from both partners?

 

[ANstar]

Interesting given reports in other threads of poor access to QR award seats using Qantas points...

I wouldn't be surprised if its the result of the QF/QR relationship. I mean QF even restrict your from entering DOH as a start point for FF reward bookings on their site.

 

[tmdl]

Does anyone know when this will begin & when you can start booking flights with QR?

 

[AIRwin]

Does anyone know when this will begin & when you can start booking flights with QR?

From the FAQs:

Virgin Australia Group Announces Partnership with Qatar Airways

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Q: What is changing?
A: We are launching a new partnership with Qatar Airways commencing in 2022.

Q: When will Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways commence their partnership?
A: Further details will be communicated in the coming months.

 

[antycbr]

Does anyone know when this will begin & when you can start booking flights with QR?

Let them get UA bedded down first!

 

[AIRwin]

Just noticed the promo image, whilst having both crews, only has a QR aircraft - no VA tail to be seen.

I can see a VA tail in the background of the promo image on the Velocity website...

 

[justinbrett]

I can see a VA tail in the background of the promo image on the Velocity website...

I don't think that's VA. I'm not sure what it is - might be JQ.

 

[AIRwin]

I'm not sure what it is - might be JQ.

Photobomb!

 

[Jack_OC]

I wouldn't be surprised if its the result of the QF/QR relationship. I mean QF even restrict your from entering DOH as a start point for FF reward bookings on their site.

I don’t think the inability to start an itinerary from DOH online using QFF has anything to do with the relationship between the airlines. I believe it’s due to the QFF system only being set up to accept certain currencies online, and the Qatari Riyal is not one of them. The same issue applies to other ports (Male for example). You can start an itinerary in these ports if you book by phone, however. You can also book segments departing from DOH online as part of a multi city itinerary (if you can find any availability, that is!).

 

[jase05]

Does anyone know when this will begin & when you can start booking flights with QR?

I think it will be end of June or early July

 

[kpc]

Those Flybuy points have become more valuable.

 

[Brizz]

I would love those dates - booking in Aug/Sept for next years Euro trip so a Qatar option would be awesome!

Qatar press release says "midyear"

Post automatically merged: May 10, 2022

Those Flybuy points have become more valuable.

More valuable than cans of soup? LOL

 

[AIRwin]

I would love those dates - booking in Aug/Sept for next years Euro trip so a Qatar option would be awesome!

Qatar press release says "midyear"

Same here, except I'm looking at the same months but this year so I may still hold off booking QR for now...