Oh boy this post has aged well.  The particular aircraft (aka Brett Godfrey's Jet) is now back at Virgin, whilst "VH-Michael Francis McCormack" (MFM) has since returned overseas to their lessor.

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 s...

Most likely not (Zero Earn of QFF) as they are technically "not Oneworld flights", but VA (wetlease) flights as the QR crew uses the VA designator.

VA are "strengthening" their local network, as largely a feeder for QR, as well as SQ in Asia and UA in North America.  Note that VA's "international" network is entirely on 737 metal and is largely 'leisure focused' limited to Bali, Fiji and the Pacific Islands.  Whilst the "long haul"...

They'll honour the bookings made before June 2025 and flown after the end date, but there will eventually be an end date for those bookings made before June and booked after that (I'd assume a 4-6 month cutoff).