The codeshare partnership between Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand is one step closer to takeoff, following authorisation by both the Australian and New Zealand regulators. Of course, the two airlines shared a longstanding alliance a few years back, and while they say you shouldn’t get back in bed with your ex, the newly-minted agreement is set to kick off towards the end of 2024.
The refreshed trans-Tasman romance is unilateral, meaning VA flight numbers soon will be added to Air New Zealand services between Australia and Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. But the deal won’t work the other way around, with no Air New Zealand codeshares on Virgin’s only NZ service into Queenstown, or indeed their domestic flying within Australia. Velocity members will have the ability to earn Velocity Points and Status Credits when flying a VA flight number with Air New Zealand, as well as being able to redeem Velocity Points for those handful of included destinations.
Elite Velocity members also gain perks with another Star Alliance carrier, with Gold and Platinum members unlocking access to the Kiwi flag carrier’s airport lounges when travelling on VA-codeshare Air New Zealand flights. For now, Velocity is yet to confirm any other status perks when flying with Air New Zealand, such as priority check-in, baggage and boarding.
“Australians share our love of New Zealand and its national carrier and we can’t wait to reignite this partnership before the end of the year,” says Virgin Australia Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Alistair Hartley.
“The regulators’ endorsement reflects the strong consumer benefits the partnership will unlock, including greater value, choice and loyalty rewards for travellers across the Tasman.”
Air New Zealand’s Chief Transformation Officer, Mike Williams, added that his airline looked forward to Virgin Australia customers onboard again.
“We know our Aussie friends are a travel-hungry bunch, so whether it’s just a quick weekend trip to catch up with family or wanting to explore more of New Zealand, this partnership provides further options for more Australians,”.
Until October 2018, Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand held a longstanding partnership that covered flights within New Zealand and between Australia and New Zealand. That was until John Borghetti, then-CEO of Virgin, pulled the pin, leading Qantas to swoop in and start up its own codeshare agreement with Air NZ in that same month.
Being Star Alliance and OneWorld carriers, the move was somewhat unexpected, but still exists all these years later, limited to domestic flights within Australia and New Zealand, rather than flights between the two countries.
For this reason, the Qantas/Air New Zealand domestic partnership is unlikely to affect the new trans-Tasman agreement between Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand.
