Virgin Australia returns to long haul flights this week, kicking off new flights to Doha. Qatar Airways will be operating the flights on behalf of Virgin Australia with Sydney-Doha taking off on 12 June. These flights will enable connections to over 170 destinations through Qatar Airways’ network.
While Sydney is first out of the blocks, other cities are not far behind. Brisbane flights will commence on 19 June with Perth flights starting one week later. Services between Melbourne and Doha will follow later in December.
As previously noted, these flights will actually be operated by Qatar Airways on behalf of Virgin Australia. This is being done under a so-called wet-lease agreement, where Qatar Airways supplies the aircraft and crew, but is sold as a Virgin Australia flight.
Passenger Benefits
While it has been a long time coming, with many twists and turns, both Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways are talking up the benefits to Australia travellers:
According to Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer, Dave Emerson:
Today marks the beginning of a new era for Virgin Australia and for international travel from Australia. Through our partnership with Qatar Airways, we’re not just launching a new route — we’re opening the world to millions of Australians, delivering more choice, better value and a seamless global experience. This partnership strengthens Australia’s global connectivity while generating jobs, boosting tourism and injecting billions into the national economy.
For hist part, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said:
We are delighted to welcome Virgin Australia’s inaugural Sydney to Doha service to our award-winning Hamad International Airport as the first of four exciting new routes scheduled for 2025. This milestone moment in the partnership between our two airlines is the culmination of many months of meticulous planning and tireless dedication of our respective teams, as well as a testament to our shared ambition to deliver increased competition, world-class service and value to Australian passengers.”
In more concrete terms, the benefits to passengers generally include things like:
- Additional Schedule Flexibility – the flights are timed as an extra service between Australia and Qatar, giving you more time options
- Better Connections – As the flight times are different to the existing flights, there may be better connections in Doha
Frequent Flyer Benefits
In addition to the benefits to customers generally, the new flights bring benefits specific to Velocity member. This includes a special launch offer, and a range of other benefits
- A Special offer for flights VA1-VA29: 50% bonus Status Credits on bookings made between 12 June and 30 June 2025 for travel between 1 October 2025 and 27 May 2026
- Upgrade Using Points: From July 1. Velocity members will be able to request an upgrade using points when when travelling on Economy Flex fares
- Status Credits count toward 50% VA requirement: Status Credits earned on the new services (VA1-29) will contribute to the new requirement from October 2025 onwards, to earn at least 50% of Status Credits on Virgin Australia flights to upgrade or maintain Status.
- Points benefits for Silver, Gold and Platinum members. These include the
- 50% bonus Points for Silver members,
- 75% bonus Points for Gold members and
- 100% for Platinum members on eligible flights.
- Improved Status Credits Earn: From 1 October 2025, Velocity will be increasing the number of Status Credits that members will earn on the new Virgin Australia services between Australia and Doha (VA1-29). In addition Qatar Airways marketed and/or operated flights between Australia and Doha will also see an increase. This ensures that from 1 October 2025, the same Status Credit earn rate applies on all Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways marketed and/or operated services on eligible routes
