Air India is Virgin Australia’s latest partner
The new alliance is good for Indian travellers, but what does it mean for Virgin’s own frequent flyers?
By David Flynn, February 18 2025
Virgin Australia is bolstering its partnership roster this week as Air India joins the likes of Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, and Qatar Airways.
The Star Alliance member already flies daily from Delhi to both Sydney and Melbourne, and has made no secret of its ambitions to grow the Australian market, with Brisbane a likely starter as more aircraft arrive.
Australia holds “plenty of untapped potential” for Air India, CEO Campbell Wilson remarked last year.
“Clearly there’s a huge amount of opportunity to grow, not just in terms of frequency, but certainly in respect of city coverage.”
“We see a significant opportunity with the Indian diaspora, and Australia is ranked, I think, in the top three of the markets Indians want to travel to. As soon as we get aircraft, we would like to put more into Australia, absolutely.”
Paving the way for that growth is a new partnership with Virgin Australia, allowing Air India passengers headed to Sydney or Melbourne to seamlessly connect to 16 Virgin Australia flights which will carry an AI flight number.
Those destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, and Hobart, along with regional hubs Ballina/Byron Bay, Cairns, Launceston, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
“India is a growing tourism market for Australia and this partnership will encourage travellers arriving on one of Air India’s 14 weekly flights to explore more of our wonderful country thanks to seamless onward connections on the Virgin Australia network,” said Alistair Hartley, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Virgin Australia.
It’s expected that those onward Virgin flights carrying an AI code would allow members of Air India’s Maharaja Club lotalty program to earn reward points and tier points.
However, this will be only a one-way partnership. A spokesperson for Virgin Australia has confirmed to Executive Traveller that VA codes won’t be added to Air India flights, enabling the earning Velocity Points or status credits and making reward seats on Air India flights bookable with Velocity Points.
Likewise, the arrangement doesn’t include any reciprocal recognition for Velocity status such as access to Air India lounges.
03 May 2024
Total posts 5
Yeah it's in the fine print of the Qatar 25% stakeholder agreement that clearly states Qatar airways exclusive partner of middle East and Indian sub contentient that's why Etihad airways gave virgin the flick
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
25 Jul 2013
Total posts 81
Hopefully this is the first step toward a full-fledged partnership with reciprocal frequent flyer benefits (and not just for those departing Australia on a VA-issued ticket). Time to give QF-Indigo a run for their money :)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2017
Total posts 360
Can't book flights to India on a VA-issued ticket on AI.
The partnership is the other way, booking Australian connections on VA on an AI-issued ticket.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
25 Jul 2013
Total posts 81
I am very much aware of that :)
I am hoping this initial arrangement leads towards a proper 2-way partnership. And not one where you need to book via the VA website to gain any benefits.
29 Jan 2012
Total posts 221
Unfortunately this is simply window dressing for VA to look more attractive for it's upcoming sale. The owners simply wish to get the best price for their asset and who can blame them. Whether this partnership will be beneficial to customers is another thing. Lets hope it is beneficial for all parties.
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