Virgin Australia will fly Brisbane-Tokyo from March 2020

Virgin's fresh focus on Japan will include daily Brisbane-Tokyo flights and a partnership with ANA, and flights are now on sale.

By Brandon Loo, December 5 2019
Virgin Australia will fly Brisbane-Tokyo from March 2020

Virgin Australia is gearing up to begin daily flights between Brisbane and Tokyo in March 2020. It's a pleasing alternative to the current Brisbane-Japan monopoly enjoyed by Qantas, with the added advantage that Virgin's flights will use Tokyo's Haneda Airport, which is considerably closer to the city than Tokyo's Narita Airport used by most other airlines.

Travellers headed beyond Tokyo will also welcome the new partnership between Virgin Australia and ANA, which will open up seamless connections at Haneda to some 38 destinations across Japan including Osaka, Sapporo, Hiroshima, Okinawa and Fukuoka.

When will Virgin's Brisbane-Tokyo flights start?

Virgin Australia plans to begin its daily Brisbane-Tokyo flight on Sunday 29 March 2020, with tickets for the nine hour trip now on sale.

VA77 leaves Brisbane at 11:40am and reaches Tokyo Haneda at 8pm – perfect for a business traveller to get up at a reasonable hour and spend much of the flight working onboard with Virgin Australia's international WiFi, as long as they don't mind a late hotel check-in and supper.

VA76 pushes back from Tokyo Haneda at 9:45pm, before speeding along to Brisbane to land at 7:45am the next morning: once again, fairly reasonable timing for travellers to have a productive day in Tokyo and enjoy an uninterrupted block of sleep for at least 6-7 hours en route before a hearty breakfast pre-Brisbane.

Both flights are timed to allow connections to and from other major Australian airports, although Brisbane Airport requires a bus or train transfer between the domestic and international terminals, much like Sydney. 

Get ready for a great new way to fly between Brisbane and Japan.
Get ready for a great new way to fly between Brisbane and Japan.

What aircraft will be used?

Virgin's Brisbane-Tokyo/Haneda route will use an Airbus A330 fitted with 20 business class suites and 255 economy seats (including eight Economy X seats). At least four of these jets have fast international satellite WiFi fitted, as of December 2019.

CEO of Virgin Australia, Paul Scurrah, revealed that the Melbourne-Hong Kong route will be suspended in 2020, with this Airbus A330 now being free to start the Brisbane-Tokyo service in late March 2020.

Read more: Virgin Australia suspends Melbourne-Hong Kong flights

How much will fares cost?

It's already possible to redeem your Velocity points for business class seats on the new Brisbane-Tokyo Haneda route.

A business reward seat will need 59,500 Velocity Points plus roughly A$140 in taxes each way. From Sydney or Melbourne, that bumps up to 71.500 Velocity Points and more in taxes due to having more flights.

Business class fares start from A$3,494 return while economy sale fares start from A$698 return from Brisbane.

Virgin's Brisbane-Tokyo business class experience

The 20 business class seats on Virgin Australia's Airbus A330s feature the airline's signature offering, which is also seen on Virgin's Boeing 777s to Los Angeles.

Christened 'The Business', it's a spacious and well-appointed seat offering direct aisle access for every passenger.

Virgin Australia's highly-regarded 'The Business' business class.
Virgin Australia's highly-regarded 'The Business' business class.

Whichever part of the journey between Brisbane and Tokyo happens to take place overnight, travellers will appreciate that the seat converts into a 2m long fully lie-flat bed dressed with a mattress topper, which the crew will make up while you nip into the WC and change into the complimentary business class pyjamas.

Virgin's business class seat transforms into a comfortable 2m-long bed.
Virgin's business class seat transforms into a comfortable 2m-long bed.
Slip into your PJs, slip under the covers and drift off to sleep.
Slip into your PJs, slip under the covers and drift off to sleep.

There's also be the option to stay connected via Virgin's WiFi service – something which Qantas doesn't offer on its international flights.

Based on the pricing for Virgin Australia's Hong Kong flights, inflight Internet on the Brisbane-Tokyo route should cost around $9 per hour or $20 for the whole flight, which is of course much better value.

WiFi speed test onboard Virgin Australia's Airbus A330 (Sept 2019, Domestic).
WiFi speed test onboard Virgin Australia's Airbus A330 (Sept 2019, Domestic).

As for inflight dining, expect the Luke Mangan-designed menu to take on a distinctly Japanese flair, similar to the fusion dishes found on Virgin Australia's Hong Kong flights and now filtering onto the domestic business class menus occasionally as well.

The Tokyo flights are likely to feature two meal services each way, the first being a proper three-course affair with each dish being brought out separately.

Smoked duck breast starter, Virgin Australia A330 business class (PER-MEL).
Smoked duck breast starter, Virgin Australia A330 business class (PER-MEL).

The second service is done before landing, all on one tray. For daytime flights, it will be a light supper (as shown below); for overnight flights, it will be hot breakfast.

Char siu pork noodles supper, Virgin Australia business class (SYD-HKG).
Char siu pork noodles supper, Virgin Australia business class (SYD-HKG).

Review: Virgin Australia Sydney to Hong Kong, Airbus A330 business class

Getting around Haneda Airport and Tokyo

The flight from Brisbane will arrive and depart from Haneda's International Terminal (soon to be called Terminal 3). There are two other domestic terminals – JAL uses Terminal 1 and ANA uses Terminal 2.

Two rail links connect Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station: the Tokyo Monorail goes via Hamamatsucho and the privately-run Keikyu Railways line connects via Shinagawa. Both journeys take around 30-40 minutes and will cost you around ¥600 (A$8).

By road, travellers can take 'limousine buses' (from 50 minutes, ¥930/A$12.5) or taxis and private cars for the most direct transfers (from ¥5,000/A$66 depending on the final destination).

Railway links around Tokyo Haneda Airport. www.japan-guide.com
Railway links around Tokyo Haneda Airport
www.japan-guide.com

Passengers connecting between Virgin Australia and ANA domestic flights can transit through special airside buses organised by ANA, or get a free pass to use the Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu Railways train between the terminals.

Lounge access for Virgin's Brisbane-Tokyo flights

Virgin Australia's business class guests along with Velocity Gold and Platinum members will begin their journey at the recently-opened and independently-operated My Lounge in Brisbane's international terminal.

It features a wide range and high quality of food, albeit in a slightly cramped space.

Review: Virgin Australia 'My Lounge', Brisbane International

Ahead of the return flight from Tokyo, those same passengers will be able to enjoy some time as ANA's Haneda business class lounge.

The ANA Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Airport, used by business class passengers.
The ANA Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Airport, used by business class passengers.

Review: ANA business class lounge, Tokyo Haneda

Benefits of the Virgin Australia-ANA alliance

Virgin Australia's partnership with ANA will include a 'codeshare' arrangement which will let Virgin Australia customers book flights from Australia to their final destination in Japan (if they're travelling beyond Tokyo) on a single ticket, all under Virgin Australia flight numbers – flying Virgin from Brisbane to Tokyo, and then ANA to their next destination.

Also on the cards are Velocity Frequent Flyer points on ANA flights, along with access to ANA's domestic lounge network across Japan.

Read more: Virgin Australia and ANA partner on flights to Japan

Brandon Loo

Based in Perth, Brandon enjoys tucking into local delicacies, discovering new cocktails, and making aeroplane food look good on camera.

23 Oct 2014

Total posts 231

Sounds very appealing.

bmc
bmc

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

22 Aug 2013

Total posts 173

Here here. I predict many a ski trip to originate from this partnership. I'm planning one already ;)

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

04 Sep 2018

Total posts 13

With the current deficits that VA is running, this is sure to help them with some much needed income. Good on them. Competition on this route and another appealing international destination, are positive signs for VA

So if Virgin are going to be using A330's for its Japan leg flights, what will they use for Perth to Melbourne or Perth to Sydney

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Nov 2017

Total posts 326

It may be one of the SYD-HKG or MEL-HKG routes (both loss making) that could be axed in favour of BNE-HND.

Lmc
Lmc

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Nov 2018

Total posts 104

737-800!

07 Feb 2018

Total posts 19

Qantas enjoys a monopoly but in fact is the pioneer of this service, and again gets ignored for its efforts by regulators, and as it seems “experts” such as ourself. I've noted previously Virgin is again being rewarded for no effort. It's foray to Japan should commence at Narita. The guys that have opened up the Japan market (Qantas) should have got both new slots so they could improve their already excellent schedule. virgin just shuffling planes from one loss maker to another. A typical scatter gun and opportunistic play by the red ink airline

24 Aug 2011

Total posts 1205

As was previously explained a number of times in the other thread covering this subject, IASC has a mandate to promote competition. Unless there were compelling reasons to do otherwise, and I don't think incumbency is a compelling reason, the rights were always going to be split between the two applicants. Qantas fully understood this which is why they made no attempt to appeal the interim decision when first announced.

07 Feb 2018

Total posts 19

I do think incumbency is very compelling, it's called loyalty, trust and rewarding for past efforts, not a regulator trying to conjure up competition from a failed enterprise. We have become snowflakes allowing regulators regulate the free market forces. Qantas probably rolled their eyes at another dumb decision

10 Jul 2018

Total posts 105

Hi Tonym, it didn't make it to the final edit of the article, but Virgin Australia does have a specific reason for not wanting to start flights to Narita.

In its application to the IASC on 24 September 2019, Virgin Australia stated that, “[we] would not be prepared to commence services to Japan if our only option to serve Tokyo was through operations to Narita, as we would not have the ability to leverage our partnership with ANA (ANA offers 38 domestic codeshare connections to/from Haneda, compared to only five at Narita)”

07 Feb 2018

Total posts 19

Hi Brandon, understand Virgin's submission and took that into my thought process. Doesn't alter my view, not saying my view is correct......

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1424

It is worth noting that the flight gets in too late to Haneda for domestic connection. This only works coming back to Australia. They really can't have it both ways the argument re Haneda connections it is more complicated than that. Earlier Ex Brisbane they have fewer connections from the rest of Australia but more from Haneda. Coming back it works at both ends. A conundrum!!!

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

10 Jan 2012

Total posts 260

You love QF, hate VA, we get that. But VA isn't being 'rewarded', they were rightly awarded a slot to open up competition and additional routes through Japan. There is zero reason they should have to start Japan services through NRT.

The argument that QF should get rights to operate a fourth and fifth Tokyo service from Australia just so they can fly different schedules is absurd. Where's the competition in that? Where's the benefit to the Australian and Japanese passengers? And IASC isn't in the business of rewarding 'loyalty', particularly to an airline that currently has a monopoly on a route. They need to make strategic decisions that benefit Australian airlines and the travelling public.

07 Feb 2018

Total posts 19

Qantas doesn't get a good go in comparison to its protected global competitors is my much misunderstood point here. It's in Australia's interest to have the strongest presence in an open skies global environment. Qantas is best placed to do that and our regulators are best placed to assist that. They can find a new mechanism to check pricing and frequency. I don't hate Virgin at all, I occasionally fly with them and find them good too.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Nov 2017

Total posts 326

So in other words, you hate and despise VA and you rather have them go broke, send people out of a job, and have the QF group be the monopolistic airline in Australia.

We get it, just admit you'd rather have a domestic monopoly with the QF group being the only domestic major.

07 Feb 2018

Total posts 19

Not true, they just don't try hard anymore. Ever since ex Qantas dropout led them down this path of copy Qantas at all costs they've fallen off the perch, that's all. What's wrong with sticking up for Qantas? Most people on these forums enjoy throwing mud at a fine Australian icon that does its thing from a small end of line market whilst it's subsidised Middle Eastern and Asian “competitors” have either government subsidies and low labour costs or both. Virgin is part owned by a number of these subsidised airlines, so to me it seems they have an unfair way of doing things. Add that Virgins shareholders originate from places like Singapore, China and the Middle East, areas that have atrocious labour laws and reprehensible human rights records generally, I can't see the point of seeing positives in Virgin. Just my opinion of what constitutes a good Aussie company.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 Sep 2018

Total posts 155

Isn't the attempt to launch service to Tokyo Haneda, deepening partnership with ANA, trying hard for the airline? Just because Virgin has shareholders come from different backgrounds does not mean they are being 'unfair'. The airline has shown time and time again that it is trying to be profitable and not just sucking money from all their big daddy investors. The careful analysis and decision to launch this route proves that.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Nov 2017

Total posts 326

2 of VA's "investors" doesn't exactly have the capacity to fund VA of the moment either due to their own financial problems (Etihad and Hainan Group).

One of the reasons why 2 of VA's debt-ridden investors still have their stakes as an "ongoing concern" of the moment is that there's no-one credible that wants to purchase those stakes.

The new CEO record has also been on record as being aware that VA can only work within their means because the stakeholders have chosen to remain hands-off in the day to day running.

As for SIA, they are also on record that they haven't been happy with their VA stake for sometime (only maintaining their stake for feed access) and VA isn't exactly a priority for SIA as they've been putting in their investments in other "loss-making" carriers such as Vistara in India. I would not be surprised if SQ was actually looking at exiting VA themselves.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

08 Dec 2014

Total posts 50

Absolutely 100% agree. Thank you Tonym for saying what not enough people in this country are thinking.

I find it puzzling that so many Australians consider a cheap fare more important than supporting an Aussie icon trying its best against foreign government owned and financed airlines.

09 Sep 2012

Total posts 139

Well said, DanV.

Those who rubbish VA forget where it started and still lives: it's where Qantas started and flourished.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

06 Mar 2015

Total posts 233

Qantas has been the most protected Airline in aviation history in this neck of the woods for a great many years. They were always nicknamed " the Gods of the skies " because they always thought they were and still are. QF are a good Airline but so are so many others equally as good and quite a few vastly better. Didn't see much Aussie support from many for another now defunct Aussie Icon " Ansett ". When Ansett tried to operate Internationally QF pulled out all stops and tricks to stop them at any cost. They Didn't want competition!!! Competition is great for the customer and the Airlines respond accordingly.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1424

I would love to see the list of the ‘quite a few' Australian airlines that are ‘vastly better than Qantas'. It may be even hard to find profitable international one that are.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

06 Mar 2015

Total posts 233

QF have been mollycoddled for far too long in this country . Competition never hurt anyone and it's great for the traveller.

There's been far too much protection for so called " icons " . If they can't stand on their own two feet then let them fall.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

08 Dec 2014

Total posts 50

Qantas is the only carrier in the region that is trying to stand on its own feet. Every other airline that it is having to "compete" with has unlimited funding from government owners and can flood the market with cheap airfares because they are not required to make a profit.

Sure this may be great for the consumer but do not pretend that Qantas is in any way in some sort of privileged position.

AT
AT

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Sep 2012

Total posts 381

I think it's great to see more options on Japan and irrespective of shareholders, VA is still an Australian based carrier employing many Australians, so I think the above argument/s are not the right place to start. Isn't great to see more than one Australian carrier giving it a go, well I think so. But in saying all that, VA's track record on their long-haul international network, (albeit LAX), isn't exactly stellar. Hopefully Japan will be that turning point where they have longevity and growth, and that may probably mean less A330s for Australia domestic.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

06 Mar 2015

Total posts 233

Opinions are always good to see but they very rarely change so I can't be bothered voicing mine any further.

I do wish VA the very best luck in providing a great service and will try them out soon on this route.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

11 Dec 2014

Total posts 7

People tend to forget the years when Qantas was getting government funding etc etc. I have flown Qantas since the late 70s and every flight I've had with them has always had poor staff.

Give me competition Any time and I will personally prefer to fly with VA,SIA, Air NZ and even SAS over Qantas.

07 Feb 2018

Total posts 19

Qantas received government funds when it was owned by the government, not since. As they owned it, they funded it. There's heaps of competition, you have named but some!

23 Mar 2012

Total posts 100

Agree competition is advantageous however I will abstain from supporting this service and stay with my current carrier as I cannot take the risk of the route being cancelled as has occurred over and over with many of Virgin Australia's services .

12 Dec 2012

Total posts 1027

Why is VA allowed to work with ANA on this route, but QF isn't allowed to work with JL? Another double standard to benefit VA on routes QF opened up.

I fully expect VA to end up pulling out of this route within 18 months.

Why, in every article about Tokyo travel and Tokyo airports, does ET always mention travel to Tokyo Station, and only Tokyo Station, while ignoring other major business areas and travel hubs in the Tokyo Metropolis like Shinjuku, Shibya and Ikebukuro?

24 Apr 2012

Total posts 2449

Re: Tokyo Station, it's a clear, simple and central yardstick for comparison that most people will be able to identify with, without diving into every neighbourhood: and of course, travellers with knowledge of those areas would likely already know which airport works best for them.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Nov 2017

Total posts 326

Most of us get it already Himeno. You've posted the same message over and over.

You despise and hate VA and you'd rather have the QF group be the only mainline airline group in Australia.
If you got no constructive criticism to say about VA, it's best you say nothing at all and mvove on.

12 Dec 2012

Total posts 1027

Based on VAs history with long haul routes, their fleet size and make up and financial issues, they have not shown the capacity to maintain such a service. That is a simple fact. There is no "hate" at all. It is reality and what they have shown themselves to be capable of.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Nov 2017

Total posts 326

Last I've checked, QF and JL can apply for a codeshare tommorow if they wanted to. VA and NH had done so when they applied.

23 Oct 2014

Total posts 231

Why would anyone be so negative about an new route for ANOTHER AUSTRALIAN carrier. It's set up well, superior J class, Haneda Vs Narita, and paired with a super partner ANA. Sounds like a better option all round. 2 strong Australian Carries is great for all, I'll be using the new Virgin Haneda flights in 2020.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

06 Mar 2015

Total posts 233

There sure is so much negativeness and bias being posted about this that it is quite sad really.

Surely ventures like this by VA should be commended not condemned and this is another way they are trying to get back in the black.

Just because QF is already in the area does not automatically give them the right to have all of the business.

If one goes back to the early eighties when Ansett was trying to go International one would have seen the extraordinary steps QF took to make sure they did not succeed, they did not like competition then and they don;t much like it now or at least their supporters don't .

Competition is good for everyone.

It would be far better if some posters got on with life and let VA start this service with best wishes rather than knock them so much.

I wish VA the very best of Luck and having experienced their " Business " service I'm sure they will do very well.

bmc
bmc

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

22 Aug 2013

Total posts 173

Here here


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