Virgin Australia Returns to Long-Haul Flying with New International Route

By Nick Hall - News

Published: 13 Jun 2025

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Readtime: 6 min

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• Virgin Australia is returning to international long-haul flying, announcing its first Sydney to Doha flight on 12 June.
• The latest travel route comes via the Virgin Australia-Qatar Airways alliance that was formed in November 2024.
• The new service connects Australian travellers to more than 170 destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa via Qatar Airways’ global network.

Domestic airline Virgin Australia is officially back in the long-haul game, announcing its first Sydney to Doha flight will take off on 12 June 2025. Created in partnership with Qatar Airways, the new service is set to connect Australian travellers with over 170 global destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Better yet, it grants Aussies access to one of the world’s most powerful aviation networks, complete with award-winning business class cabins, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and a host of other benefits. Your next overseas getaway just copped an upgrade.

Virgin Flights to Doha

The inaugural Sydney to Doha Virgin Australia flights, announced in Sydney on Thursday, represent the airline’s much-anticipated return to long-haul flying. As travel buffs may well remember, the organisation ended its long-haul offering in 2020, when a shift into voluntary administration triggered the forced sale of its wide-body Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 planes. Five years later, and with the aid of the ‘World’s Best Airline‘, Virgin Australia is finally back in the game.

The inaugural Sydney to Doha flight begins on 12 June 2025, with Brisbane flights commencing on 19 June, Perth on 26 June, and Melbourne services commencing in December 2025. According to Virgin Australia’s chief executive officer, Dave Emerson, the inaugural Australia to Doha flights represent a pivotal moment for the airline and Australian travellers.

“Today marks the beginning of a new era for Virgin Australia and for international travel from Australia,” Emerson said in a statement. “Through our partnership with Qatar Airways, we’re not just launching a new route — we’re opening the world to millions of Australians, delivering more choice, better value and a seamless global experience. This partnership strengthens Australia’s global connectivity while generating jobs, boosting tourism and injecting billions into the national economy.”

Despite only kicking the international flights off this week, Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways have already outlined plans to expand the offering. By December 2025, the alliance is expected to grow the capacity of flights from Australia to Doha to 2.65 million seats a year, increasing competitiveness in the international travel market. At present, the Sydney to Doha flights will travel on Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 aircraft, which features:

• Qsuite Business Class – Named World’s Best Business Class in Skytrax’s World Airline Awards 2024, offering private suites, lie-flat beds, and the option for couples to create a double bed in the sky.
• Economy Cabins – Among the widest seats in the industry and renowned for in-flight service.
• Complimentary Wi-Fi – High-speed Starlink Wi-Fi is available onboard for all passengers throughout the entire journey.

Virgin Australia-Qatar Airways Alliance

The new Virgin Australia international route marks the first official long-haul venture between the airline and partner Qatar Airways, following the announcement of a cooperative arrangement in November 2024. The strategic partnership saw Qatar Airways Group take a minority 25 per cent investment in Virgin Australia, subject to approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), both of which later granted authorisation.

Importantly, the Virgin Australia–Qatar Airways alliance is set to deliver more choices to Australian consumers when it comes to international travel. According to the two organisations, the alliance unlocks connectivity to six continents, alongside “elevated service offerings, exceptional inflight amenities and loyalty benefits”.

“We are delighted to welcome Virgin Australia’s inaugural Sydney to Doha service to our award-winning Hamad International Airport as the first of four exciting new routes scheduled for 2025,” Qatar Airways Group chief executive officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said. “This milestone moment in the partnership between our two airlines is the culmination of many months of meticulous planning and tireless dedication of our respective teams, as well as a testament to our shared ambition to deliver increased competition, world-class service and value to Australian passengers.”

Do You Earn Points on Virgin Australia-Qatar Airways Flights?

There is good news for Australian travellers looking to take advantage of the new Virgin Australia international flight routes. Not only will Velocity Frequent Flyer Members receive status credits and points, but the airline has also confirmed limited-time celebration fares to mark the launch. Eligible fares for flights to Doha and selected beyond destinations in Europe have been discounted by up to 15 per cent for selected travel dates between 16 October 2025 and 31 March 2026. Fares on sale from 12:01am AEST 10 June 2025 to 11:59pm AEST 30 June 2025, unless sold out prior.

Outside of the launch sale, Velocity Frequent Flyer Members will also receive the following benefits:

• 50 per cent bonus Status Credits on bookings made between 12 June and 30 June 2025 for travel between 1 October 2025 and 27 May 2026 on an eligible Virgin Australia flight between Australia and Doha (VA1-29).
• Status Credits earned on the new services (VA1-29) will contribute to the new requirement from October 2025 onwards, to earn at least 50 per cent of Status Credits on Virgin Australia flights to upgrade or maintain Status.
• Points benefits for Silver, Gold and Platinum members including 50 per cent bonus Points for Silver members, 75 per cent bonus Points for Gold members and 100 per cent for Platinum members on eligible flights.
• From 1 October 2025, Velocity will be increasing the number of Status Credits that members will earn on the new Virgin Australia services between Australia and Doha (VA1-29) and Qatar Airways-marketed and/or operated flights between Australia and Doha. This ensures that from 1 October 2025, the same Status Credit earn rate applies on all Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways marketed and/or operated services on eligible routes.

Economic Impact

According to Virgin Australia, the new services are expected to generate more than AUD$3 billion in economic activity within Australia over the next five years. This will reportedly come via an anticipated surge in international visitors and increased tourism spending. Additionally, the increase in routes is expected to generate new jobs in aviation, hospitality, and tourism-related sectors across the country. The airline suggests that it may provide secondment opportunities for Pilots and Cabin Crew to “broaden their skills and gain international flying experience” within Qatar Airways.