Purchase Information
The Australia Skypass
FAQs
View the launch video
Introduction
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and Australia-based Virgin Blue, have joined forces to offer their customers an expanded global network and increased loyalty rewards through their fully reciprocal frequent flyer programs and airport lounge access.
In February 2011, Virgin Blue will become the first Australian airline to operate to the Middle East for 20 years, when its international carrier, V Australia, launches direct flights to Abu Dhabi from Sydney. Services from Brisbane to Abu Dhabi will follow by February 2012.
Virgin Blue customers can access Etihad’s network of 65 destinations across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. All Virgin Blue services will be available to Etihad customers, opening up 44 destinations in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and to Asia and Los Angeles.
From today, Etihad Guest and Velocity frequent flyer program members can earn miles and status credits as passengers on either carrier’s services.
All elements of this new partnership (excluding new V Australia flights to Abu Dhabi) will be operational by October 1, 2010. From that day, Etihad and Virgin Blue will offer:
• Full integration between Etihad Guest and Velocity frequent flyer programs, allowing members to earn status points and earn and burn miles as passengers on either carrier’s services.
• Reciprocal lounge access for premium passengers and top tier frequent flyers of both programs.
• Codesharing to an extensive network of international destinations, with V Australia tickets sold on Etihad services into North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Subcontinent, and Etihad tickets available on Virgin Blue, Pacific Blue and V Australia flights.
Both airlines will look to identify ways they can increasingly deliver a more seamless experience for their customers.
We hope this new arrangement will prove convenient and rewarding for our customers.
Purchase information
Tickets on Virgin Blue’s Australian domestic sectors as part of an Etihad itinerary can be purchased from today through travel agents or Etihad telephone sales. From October, these fares can be purchased directly at etihadairways.com
The Australia Skypass – explore Australia for less
See more of Australia with the Australia Skypass, which offers customers up to six domestic sectors from just USD $55 each. Call your travel agent or Etihad telephone sales for more information.
Terms and conditions apply.
FAQs
Why has Etihad entered into this partnership with Virgin Blue?
This is the right decision for our businesses and for our customers.
We have a very similar approach to customer service and are equally committed to building the strength and reach of our networks, ensuring that we offer the best possible solution for travellers.
How is this different from other codeshare relationships?
There are three key things that immediately make it more than just a codeshare agreement:
1) Fully reciprocal frequent flyer and lounge access benefits
2) More extensive codeshare arrangements which will, over time, extend across a vast array of destination on our networks
3) V Australia will fly its own aircraft into Abu Dhabi – more than halfway to Europe – complementing Etihad’s own Australia services
When will the services go on sale?
Etihad passengers can purchase tickets on Virgin Blue services from today. Etihad has launched a range of sale fares to promote the new joint network, starting from AU$1834, inclusive of taxes and charges. For further information on our sale fares, click here. V Australia’s services to Abu Dhabi will go on sale later this year.
What are the immediate changes that might affect me?
For customers with pre-existing bookings, either through Etihad, Virgin Blue or either of our codeshare partners, there is no immediate change. Flight bookings, frequent flyer benefits and lounge access all remain in place for the immediate future.
The only immediate change is an increase in lounge access and baggage entitlements for both Etihad Guest and Velocity members. Velocity Gold members travelling on any Etihad services are entitled to the same lounge access that applies to Etihad customers. Etihad Guest Gold members travelling on Virgin Blue, V Australia or Pacific Blue are entitled to lounge access on routes where there is a lounge offering. Those top tier flyers are also entitled to increased baggage in line with their own frequent flyer program’s baggage entitlements.
Will Etihad Guest members be able to earn points on the new services?
Yes. Etihad Guest members can earn points and tier miles/status credits on either carrier’s services.
Can I earn and burn immediately?
The integrated frequent flyer programs mean that customers can earn points immediately and redeem points from October 1.
Will I earn the same rate of miles?
The earning rate will be as per the operating carrier’s rules. For example, an Etihad Guest member flying on a Virgin Blue flight will earn Etihad Guest miles at the same rate as a Velocity member would earn points on the same flight.
Is group travel affected on these services?
Customers and travel agents will be able to make group bookings with either airline, through either airline, via our specialised group bookings teams.
Do Etihad passengers on Virgin services have to pay for meals or inflight entertainment?
Etihad is working with Virgin Blue to launch free-of-charge inflight entertainment and inflight catering for all Etihad guests connecting onto, or from, any Virgin Blue service offering entertainment and catering options.
We will have this in place as soon as possible.