Australian travelers heading overseas can now get cheaper flights after two major airlines joined forces in a game-changing deal.
Virgin Australia has launched a range of new flights to more than 100 destinations in the Middle East, Europe and Africa in partnership with Qatar Airways.
Starting Thursday, Australians will be able to book flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth via Doha to popular European destinations, including Rome and Paris, from June 2025.
Flights from Melbourne can be booked from January to fly later in the year.
The new fares include economy flights from Perth to Paris return from $1,791, Sydney to London return from $1,982 and Brisbane and Rome return from $1,945.
Commercial fares are also expected to be competitive, starting at $8,000 for Perth-Paris.
Virgin Australia will operate the flights using Qatar Airways Boeing 777 aircraft.
The deal is still subject to regulatory approvals and will revolutionize international air travel, in direct competition with Qantas’ partnership with Emirates.
Virgin Australia has launched a range of new flights to more than 100 destinations in the Middle East, Europe and Africa in partnership with Qatar Airways.
On Thursday, Virgin Australia launched a range of new flights to more than 100 destinations in the Middle East, Europe and Africa in partnership with Qatar Airways. Pictured are Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways cabin crew.
Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka hailed Qatar Airways’ partnership with Qatar Airways as a game-changer.
“This is a huge win for Australian travellers, bringing more value and choice to passengers wanting to fly internationally,” Ms Hrdlicka said.
“Through this partnership, Virgin Australia is strengthened and improves our ability to compete domestically, which is great news for Virgin Australia, our people and our consumers.”
Hrdlicka added that 28 new weekly services to Doha will open up a world of opportunity for Australians as more passengers will be able to connect to more than 100 destinations around the world on the Qatar Airways network.
Passengers can also earn up to 10,000 additional Velocity points on eligible return long-haul economy flights booked before January 20 for travel between June 21 and September 30.
The new international flights taking off from next year will be operated by Virgin Australia using Qatar Airways Boeing 777 aircraft. Pictured is a Qatar Airways plane.
The new overseas routes will also provide much-needed support to the economy.
“The services sector will benefit from the additional $3 billion in economic value that will be realized over the next five years thanks to the increase in inbound visitors, which means more jobs and more opportunities for the travel and tourism industry,” he said. Mrs. Hrdlicka.
Qatar Airways has faced controversies in recent years.
In October 2022, Qatar Airways applied to the federal government for 21 additional weekly flights to major Australian cities.
The Albanian government rejected Qatar Airways’ request nine months later, stating that the additional flights were not in Australia’s national interests.
Australians are booking flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth via Doha to popular European destinations, including Rome and Paris, from June 2025.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Transport rejected repeated claims that the denial of the application was to protect Australian national airline Qantas.
King said the 2020 incident at Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways’ headquarters in Doha, when 13 Australian women were strip-searched, provided “context” to his decision.
The women were among 18 passengers closely examined by investigators after a newborn baby was found dumped in an airport toilet bin.