Etihad Airways has confirmed that it will end its unilateral codeshare and bilateral frequent flier partnership with Virgin Australia by mid-2025.
Starting June 1, 2025, passengers will no longer be able to book Virgin Australia-operated flights through Etihad’s booking channels.
For Etihad customers with existing bookings that include a Virgin Australia-operated segment, there will be no changes to their itineraries. From that date onwards, members will no longer be able to earn Etihad Guest Miles on Virgin Australia-operated flights.
“Etihad Airways remains dedicated to serving Australia, as it has since 2007. For Summer 2025, the airline will increase its flights to Sydney and Melbourne, offering Australian guests an exceptional flying experience, loyalty benefits, and connections to its expanding global network,” the Abu Dhabi-based carrier said in a statement.
Etihad’s announcement comes not long after Qatar Airways confirmed plans to acquire a 25% minority equity stake in Virgin Australia, increasing the two carriers’ existing partnership, and initiating Virgin Australia’s return to long-haul international routes by mid-2025.
In October 2024, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) stated that if Qatar Airways’ proposal is accepted, Virgin Australia’s existing codeshare agreements will be impacted.
“Qatar Airways will become Virgin Australia’s exclusive interline, codeshare and loyalty partner headquartered in the Middle East or Türkiye,” the application reads. “Virgin Australia will not codeshare on the international flights of other airlines to, from or within the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.”
In its November 2024 submission to the ACCC, Virgin Australia also confirmed that its codeshare with Singapore Airlines will only extend to its flights to and from Asia, and that its EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) codeshare destinations will be removed. However, frequent flier benefits with the Singapore flag carrier will not be affected.