Virgin Australia has launched a codeshare partnership with regional carrier Link Airways. This enables Velocity members to earn points and status credits on Link Airways routes including Brisbane-Bundaberg, Melbourne-Wollongong and Sydney-Narrabri.
The new arrangement also makes it possible to connect between Virgin Australia and Link Airways flights on a single ticket, with baggage checked through to the final destination.
With its headquarters in Canberra and main base at Brisbane Airport, Link Airways operates 17 regional routes in eastern Australia. Its fleet of 14 aircraft includes Saab 340 and Metroliner propeller planes.
Link Airways has already been operating Virgin Australia’s Sydney-Canberra route on behalf of the larger airline since 2022, under a wet lease arrangement. But this new arrangement lets you book “VA” codeshare flights on routes where Link Airways sells its own seats.
This partnership significantly expands the number of regional destinations that Virgin Australia is able to offer flights into.
Booking through Link Airways vs Virgin Australia
You can still earn Velocity points when booking directly with Link Airways on the “FC” flight number. You’ll earn 2 Velocity points per $1 spent on Deal and Standard fares, or 5 Velocity points per dollar on Freedom and Flex tickets. The more expensive Freedom and Flex fares also come with Virgin Australia Lounge access included at airports with lounges available (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra).
But you can’t get any other Velocity Frequent Flyer benefits unless you book the “VA” codeshare.
By booking Link Airways flights through Virgin Australia, you can get all the same benefits you normally would when flying with Virgin Australia. This includes full Velocity points and status credits. Velocity Silver, Gold and Platinum members can also get an extra baggage allowance and bonus points.
Velocity members will earn 15 status credits for each Economy Choice flight operated by Link Airways, or 25 status credits with Economy Flex.
In addition, Velocity Gold, Platinum and Virgin Australia Lounge members can use the lounge when travelling on any fare type with Link Airways.
There is a catch, though – you will probably pay slightly more to book the VA codeshare. On many routes including Brisbane-Bundaberg and Brisbane-Coffs Harbour, the Virgin Australia codeshare flights are around $8.81 more expensive. That’s not a huge difference, so for Velocity members it’s probably worth paying the little bit extra.
On some routes like Canberra-Newcastle, though, the VA-coded flights are substantially more expensive. So, it pays to check prices on both the Link Airways and Virgin Australia websites.
Velocity Frequent Flyer is not offering Reward seats on Link Airways codeshare flights. You can use Points + Pay to book a seat, but it’s rather poor value.
Link Airways routes
Link Airways operates the following routes:
Link Airways recently moved its Melbourne operations to the main Tullamarine Airport, instead of Essendon Airport.
What it’s like flying with Link Airways
Most Link Airways flights are operated by Saab 340 aircraft with around 34 seats. On these services, Economy Class is in a 1-2 configuration and there is one flight attendant.
Link Airways serves complimentary snacks and drinks, including beer and wine on some flights.
The Metro 23 aircraft has around 19 seats in a 1-1 configuration and there is no flight attendant.
