The Virgin, Air New Zealand alliance is back (sort of)
Velocity points, status credits and lounge access are back on the table for AU-NZ flights.
By David Flynn, December 5 2024
Former partners Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand are back together again in a rebooted trans-Tasman partnership launching December 9, 2024.
But Virgin and its Velocity frequent flyers are the winners here, as there are no reciprocal benefits – such as points-earning or lounge access – for Air New Zealand’s own frequent flyers when travelling with Virgin Australia.
On the other hand, Virgin loyalists can book onto AirNZ flights on some 16 trans-Tasman routes under a VA flight number to earn Velocity Points and status credits, and will also be able to use Velocity points to book those Air New Zealand flights.
In addition, Velocity Golds and Platinums – along with members of the invite-only Beyond program – will enjoy access to the Kiwi carrier’s lounges when travelling on VA-coded NZ flights; for flights from Adelaide and the Gold Coast, “access will be available at the Virgin Australia Lounge, subject to operating hours.”
Those top-tier travellers will also enjoy priority check-in, baggage and boarding where available, plus additional checked bag (up to 23kg).
The following Australia-NZ flights are covered by the codeshare agreement:
- Sydney-Auckland
- Sydney-Christchurch
- Sydney-Wellington
- Adelaide-Auckland
- Brisbane-Auckland
- Brisbane-Christchurch
- Brisbane-Wellington
- Melbourne-Auckland
- Melbourne-Christchurch
- Melbourne-Wellington
- Gold Coast-Auckland
- Gold Coast-Christchurch
- Perth–Auckland
- Cairns–Auckland (seasonal)
- Hobart–Auckland (seasonal)
- Sunshine Coast–Auckland (seasonal)
Note that domestic Air New Zealand flights within NZ are not part of this rather one-sided relationship.
Virgin Australia Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Alistair Hartley, says the codeshare agreement isn't just about flights, “it's about creating seamless travel experiences.”
“We’re committed to delivering unprecedented network coverage, loyalty rewards, and travel flexibility that make crossing borders as easy as crossing the street.”
Just don't forget to fill out your New Zealand Travel Declaration before you cross that street pond.
Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand enjoyed a long and deep partnership until October 2018, when the Kiwi carrier pulled out of the alliance over disagreement with Virgin Australia’s direction under then-CEO John Borghetti.
Qantas unexpectedly swooped in to ink a new alliance with the Star Alliance member, although this was restricted to a codeshare on domestic flights within Australia and New Zealand, rather than flights between the two countries.
Executive Traveller understands the Qantas-Air New Zealand domestic partnership will not be impacted by this trans-Tasman agreement between Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1224
It is hard to see the existing QF/NZ arrangement being renewed when it expires later in 2025. At that point, I'd expect the VA/NZ partnership to be broadened back to something similar to the previous arrangement.
05 Mar 2015
Total posts 422
Yes, the writing is on the wall for that very strange partnership. I think this is just the starting point for a return to a proper bilateral VA/NZ relationship just like before with codeshares in both directions and both countries, reciprocal lounge access etc.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
04 Sep 2015
Total posts 26
Hi David, Can I book premium economy to NZ with VA ?
20 Oct 2015
Total posts 254
Not David, but if the flight is one of the routes listed and on a 787 with premium economy then I don't see why not.
20 Oct 2015
Total posts 254
Let's please get back to the real 'partnership' between VA and NZ. The current arrangement with splits between Virgin and Qantas and domestic and Trans-Tasman is confusing and does nothing for anybody.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2017
Total posts 351
Unlikely that the VA/NZ Joint-Venture arrangement will be formed for the foreseeable as long as VA under Bain are wanting to keep expenses to a minimum. A JV requires both parties to put in money, and I don't think VA under Bain are willing spend the $$ to form and maintain JVs (let alone spend the $$ to apply for Star Alliance)
At most the VA/NZ partnership may eventually be upgraded to a two-way bi-lateral agreement mirroring the QF Domestic arrangement placed on top of an upgraded bilateral two-way Trans-Tasman codeshare with FF recognition once the QF agreement starts to expire.
08 May 2020
Total posts 90
It has taken far too long for Virgin to get to this point. Most Kiwis have given up or lost their status on their Velocity memberships.
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