Virgin Australia's brand new international flights officially take off
Virgin Australia marks a major milestone with its brand new international long-haul flights taking off on June 12.
The inaugural Sydney–Doha flight VA1 took off just before 3pm.
The new service will connect Aussie travellers to more than 170 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa via Qatar Airways' global network.
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Virgin Australia's new international flights with Qatar take off today. Supplied/James D. Morgan from Getty Images
Brisbane flights are then set to commence on 19 June, Perth on 26 June, and Melbourne services to follow in December.
The alliance between the two airlines will grow the capacity of flights from Australia to Doha to 2.65 million seats a year, increasing competitiveness in the market and hopefully helping to bring down airfares.
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The Qatari capital of Doha is certainly worth a stopover, many passengers on these Virgin Australia flights will be continuing onto Qatar's network of more than 100 destinations across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
"Today marks the beginning of a new era for Virgin Australia and for international travel from Australia," Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer, Dave Emerson, said.
"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."
Qatar Airways at this stage is providing the planes, the pilots and crew. Supplied/James D. Morgan from Getty Images
Things to know about the new Virgin Australia flights
These new flights can all be booked as part of a Virgin Australia trip under a VA flight number for a seamless connection including a transfer checked luggage and consistent Velocity frequent flyer benefits.
They will be on a fleet of Boeing 777 jets leased from Qatar Airways, which is also providing the pilots and crew, meals, drinks, and inflight entertainment.
But it will give Australia travellers access to the 'world's best' business class - the QSuite experience.
Each of the 777s being flown by Virgin Australia will feature the private Qsuites.
QSuite on Qatar Airways features the option to convert two seats into a double bed. Qatar Airways
Virgin's Australia-Doha flight schedule
Because these flights are in addition to Qatar Airways' own flights, the Sydney-Doha, Brisbane-Doha and Perth-Doha routes will now see double-daily flights, while Melbourne-Doha will boast three flights per day.
Sydney-Doha:
- VA1 departs Sydney at 2.50pm, arriving into Doha at 10.50pm
- VA2 departs Doha at 9.15am, arriving into Sydney at 6.15am the following day
Melbourne-Doha:
- VA7 departs Melbourne at 5.10pm, arriving into Doha at 11.30pm
- VA8 departs Doha at 1.40am, arriving into Melbourne at 11.05pm
Qatar flights will offer more choice and competition for travellers. Qatar Airways
Brisbane-Doha:
- VA15 departs Brisbane at 3.10pm, arriving into Doha at 11pm
- VA16 departs Doha at 1.40am, arriving into Brisbane at 10.45pm
Perth-Doha:
- VA21 departs Perth at 3.40pm, arriving into Doha at 10.10pm
- VA22 departs Doha at 7.50pm, arriving into Perth at 11.55am the following day
Bonus Doha dining vouchers for Velocity members
All Velocity Frequent Flyers – even entry-level Velocity Red members – travelling on a Virgin Australia flight will receive a complimentary US$20 voucher valid at over 60 cafes and restaurants at Doha's sprawling Hamad International Airport.
This dining credit is linked to your boarding pass, so you'll have to ensure your Velocity membership number is included in your booking.
