Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines have enjoyed a long and close partnership, to the delight of frequent flyers on both airlines.
But that’s set to change if Qatar Airways’ proposed 25% investment in Virgin goes ahead.
This would see Qatar Airways become Virgin’s exclusive partner for flights to the UK, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Virgin’s codeshare flights on Singapore Airlines’ worldwide network – which unlocks maximum points and status credits benefits for Velocity frequent flyers – would be cut back to Asia and India.
Virgin’s reshaped international partner network is detailed in its application for a “proposed integrated alliance” with Qatar Airways and lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
“Virgin Australia will not codeshare on the international flights of other airlines to, from or within the Middle East, Europe, and Africa,” states the application, which has been submitted to the ACCC for approval ahead of the launch of new Qatar Airways flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane as early as June 2025.
Those flights – officially operated by Virgin Australia but using planes and crew supplied by Qatar Airways – would extend to Perth by November 2025.
Included in the ACCC proposal is a map showing how Virgin’s partner network would be redrawn under its Qatar Airways alliance, which underscores QR’s “exclusive” role for flights into the Gulf status and beyond – including prime UK and European destinations.
An extract from the Virgin Australia & Qatar Airways submission to the ACCC.
Virgin Australia declined to comment when approached by Executive Traveller, while Singapore Airlines responded it was “unable to comment on any confidential commercial discussions.”
As previously reported, the new VA/QR alliance will also likely mean an end to Virgin’s relationship with Etihad Airways.
Velocity frequent flyers will still be able to earn points and status credits on Singapore Airlines flights – and significantly more points where that flight carries a VA flight number – but there’ll be fewer routes on which those codeshares would be available.
However, the ability to convert Virgin Australia Velocity Points to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles would not be impacted by the redefined relationship.
Likewise, recognition of reciprocal status – giving elite Velocity and KrisFlyer members access to lounges and priority perks – would remain in place.
Also in the wings is a drop in the number of Velocity status credited earned on not only Singapore Airlines but all partner airlines.
From 1 October 2025, a Singapore Airlines flight from Brisbane Sydney or Melbourne to Singapore will net as little as 50% fewer Velocity status credits in economy (down from 30 SCs credits to day to 15 SCs), with smaller drops in premium economy (from 90 SCs to 75 SCs) and business class (120 SCs to 100 SCs).
This is part of a dramatic revamp of the Velocity rewards program which will see status directly tied to the cost of your airfare, alongside the launch of lifetime Velocity status and a new Platinum Plus tier.