Virgin Australia’s New Doha Flights On Sale Within Weeks

Virgin Australia is a step closer to returning long-haul international flights, with plans to launch direct services between Australia and Doha under a strengthened alliance with Qatar Airways. That agreement saw Qatar take a 25% stake in Virgin Australia in October 2024, a move that would effectively allow the Middle Eastern carrier to increase its Australian capacity, after being rejected by the federal government in July 2023.

In a submission to the International Air Services Commission (IASC) today, Virgin Australia has proposed its plan to launch daily return flights between Doha and Sydney, Brisbane and Perth from June 2025, then introducing Melbourne from December 2025. From Doha, passengers can easily connect onwards thanks to Qatar’s expansive network across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The new Virgin flight would come in addition to Qatar’s existing Australian services, with each airline codesharing on flights marketed by the other, and Velocity members able to collect Velocity Points and Status Credits. The Virgin Australia flights will operate under a wet lease agreement, whereby Qatar Airways provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI), and Virgin Australia is responsible for the direct operating costs such as fuel, catering, ground handling, airport fees and taxes. The flights will be operated by Qatar’s Boeing 777-300ER jets, configured to seat 354 or 412 passengers. Some of these jets feature the fabulous Qsuite Business Class, although others offer a disappointing 2-2-2 layout at the pointy end. Neither layout features Premium Economy or First Class.

Hinting at a wide-body fleet of their own, Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka mentions “Initially, these [flights] will be supplied under a wet lease arrangement with Qatar Airways.”

“No Australian airline operates passenger services on the Australia - Qatar route, nor have they in the past. Qantas only markets services to the Middle East via its codeshare with Emirates and does not operate its own services,” adds Ms Hrdlicka.

Virgin Australia’s Doha Flight Schedule

Below is Virgin Australia’s proposed Doha flight schedule, alongside Qatar’s existing operation;

Sydney

• VA1 will depart Sydney at 2:50pm and arrive in Doha at 10:50pm (B777)
• QR909/VA6131 departs Sydney at 8:45pm, arriving in Doha at 4:55am (A380)

• VA2 will depart Doha at 9:15am and arrive in Sydney at 6:15am (B777)
• QR908/VA6130 departs Doha at 10:05pm, arriving in Sydney at 5:10pm (A380)

Brisbane

• VA15 will depart Brisbane at 3:10pm and arrive in Doha at 11pm (B777)
• QR899/VA6133 departs Brisbane at 10:15pm, arriving in Doha at 6am (B777)

• VA16 will depart Doha at 1:40am and arrive in Brisbane at 10:45pm (B777)
• QR898/VA6132 departs Doha at 8:25pm, arriving in Brisbane at 5:30pm (B777)

Perth

• VA21 will depart Perth at 3:20pm and arrive in Doha at 9:50pm (B777)
• QR901/VA6129 departs Perth at 10:45pm, arriving in Doha at 5:20am (A380)

• VA22 will depart Doha at 7:50pm and arrive in Perth at 11:55am (B777)
• QR900/VA6128 departs Doha at 2:45am, arriving in Perth at 6:45pm (A380)

Virgin Australia is yet to file its Melbourne-Doha schedule with IASC, although this can be expected in time for the Northern Winter 2025/2026 scheduling season, with flights set to depart from December 2025.

Booking Virgin Australia Doha Flights With Velocity Points

Because these new flights are technically Virgin Australia flights, the redemption cost will actually cost less than that of the Qatar-marketed flights. Based on the Velocity Rewad tables, here’s how it plays out;Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to/from Doha;

• Economy: 44,800 Velocity Points (Virgin flight) or 56,000 (Qatar flight)
• Business: 95,500 Velocity Points (Virgin flight) or 104,000 (Qatar flight)

Perth to/from Doha;

• Economy: 34,800 Velocity Points (Virgin flight) or 42,000 (Qatar flight)
• Business: 71,500 Velocity Points (Virgin flight) or 78,000 (Qatar flight)

Note that the impending Velocity Frequent Flyer devaluation that kicks in from 21 January 2025 will increase the cost of Business Rewards on the Qatar-marketed flights above by around 15%. From that date, you will need 119,500 Velocity Points for Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, and 89,500 Velocity Points for Perth. Other flights above will remain unchanged.

Virgin Australia To Scrap Several Airline Partners

But the integrated alliance between Virgin and Qatar isn’t all blue skies for travellers, and will likely see Virgin and its Velocity Frequent Flyer scheme cut ties with a number of airline partners. According to the joint application submitted to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) - “Qatar Airways will become Virgin Australia’s exclusive interline, codeshare and loyalty partner headquartered in the Middle East or Türkiye” and “Virgin Australia will not codeshare on the international flights of other airlines to, from or within the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.”

Virgin moved quickly to dump Etihad Airways, its other Middle Eastern partner, from 1 June 2025. From this date, members will no longer earn Velocity Points or Status Credits or receive any status benefits when flying on Etihad Airways services. Velocity Reward Seats for Etihad flights can be booked until 31 May 2025 for travel until 31 May 2026.

To date, there is no update on Virgin’s arrangement with Singapore Airlines, but with Qatar set to become the only airline partner for travel throughout the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, we wouldn’t be surprised if they’re dumped too. At a minimum, expect a significant reduction in Singapore Airlines codeshare and interline flights to those destinations.

The ACCC noted Virgin Australia’s partnerships with South African Airways and Virgin Atlantic would remain unchanged, under its interim authorisation.