WEBWIRE – Friday, March 22, 2024
- Codeshare flights between Virgin Australia and Link Airways go on sale from today on Virgin Australias website, expanding the travel opportunities for millions of regional Australians.
- Virgin Australia has already sold thousands of seats on the codeshare services, via travel agencies, since the partnership was announced in January, with Bundaberg to Brisbane the most popular route by far.
- Virgin Australia customers will now be able to travel seamlessly for the first time to 41 Australian destinations on a single booking, with through check-in and baggage transfer.
- Guests with Velocity membership will be able to earn both Points and Status Credits on Virgin Australia codeshare services operated by Link Airways, and Velocity Platinum, Gold and Silver members will also earn bonus Points and receive an additional baggage allowance, when flying on eligible fares.
The first codeshare flights between Virgin Australia and Link Airways go on general sale, giving regional Australians the chance to fly between 41 destinations across the country on a single booking.
The partnership expands Virgin Australias regional footprint by approximately 45 percent, offering services to destinations like Inverell, Wollongong, and Bileola which are not currently serviced by any other major airline.
Guests can book codeshare flights directly via Virgin Australias website, on any of the 17 new routes, equating to around 90 more flight opportunities across regional Australia per week.
Guests with Velocity membership will be able to earn both Points and Status Credits on Virgin Australia codeshare services operated by Link Airways, and Velocity Platinum, Gold and Silver members will also earn bonus Points and receive an additional baggage allowance, when flying on eligible fares. Eligible Velocity members can also access Virgin Australia Lounges when travelling on these Virgin Australia codeshare services.
Commentary from Virgin Australia Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Alistair Hartley:
The skys the limit now for so many regional Australians wanting better connectivity between home and the rest of our great country, Mr Hartley said.
We know our customers in regional Australia want this service, having already sold thousands of seats via travel agents since we announced the partnership in January. I can confirm that Bundaberg to Brisbane return is our most popular route so far under this new partnership.
Our guests will be able to enjoy our seamless and efficient service, earn loyalty points and enjoy the benefits under our award-winning Velocity Frequent Flyer program.
Virgin Australia is committed to providing value for our customers and we are proud to know this agreement between us and Link Airways will go a long way to providing customers with connectivity and choice.
Commentary from Link Airways Manager Network Strategy and Development, Jeff Boyd:
Link Airways is extremely pleased to team with Virgin Australia as a Domestic Codeshare Partner Airline and it looks forward to welcoming many more new customers aboard, Mr Boyd said.
Todays announcement will further enhance the connectivity for people travelling to and from the amazing Australian Regional Towns andCities that we service and provide seamless connectivity Australia-wide through the Virgin Australias expansive route network.
NOTES TO THE EDITOR:
New regional routes available as Virgin Australia codeshare (in both directions):
- Brisbane – Coffs Harbour (BNE-CFS)
- Brisbane – Bundaberg (BNEBDB)
- Brisbane – Biloela (BNE-ZBL)
- Brisbane – Inverell (BNE-IVR)
- Brisbane – Narrabri (BNE-NAA)
- Brisbane – Dubbo (BNEDBO)
- Brisbane – Orange (BNEOAG)
- Brisbane – Tamworth (BNETMW)
- Brisbane – Armidale (BNEARM)
- Brisbane – Wollongong (BNEWOL)
- Sydney – Narrabri (SYD-NAA)
- Sydney – Inverell (SYD-IVR)
- Melbourne – Dubbo (MEL-DBO)
- Melbourne – Orange (MEL-OAG)
- Melbourne – Wollongong (MEL-WOL)
- Canberra – Hobart (CBR-HBA)
- Canberra – Newcastle (CBR-NTL).
Guests can book directly via virginaustralia.com.
Link Airways operate a fleet of 14 aircraft with their service offering including complimentary tea, coffee and water and snack.
For detailed information on loyalty benefits when travelling with Link Airways, please visit the Velocity website here.
Entry to the Virgin Australia Lounge is subject to space availability and Virgin Australia Lounge terms and conditions.