Virgin Australia Launches Sydney-Doha Flights with Qatar Airways
Virgin Australia has officially returned to long-haul international service with the launch of its inaugural Sydney to Doha flight on June 12, 2025. Operated in partnership with Qatar Airways, the daily service connects Australian travelers to over 170 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa via Doha Hamad International Airport.
The Sydney-Doha service marks the beginning of a broader expansion of Virgin Australia’s partnership with Qatar Airways. Additional routes will launch soon, with Brisbane-Doha flights starting June 19, Perth-Doha on June 26, and Melbourne-Doha scheduled for December 2025. These services utilize shared traffic rights between Australia and Qatar under government agreements.
By the end of 2025, Virgin Australia projects the alliance will offer up to 2.65 million annual seats between Australia and Doha, significantly increasing competition and travel options for Australian passengers seeking international destinations.
All Virgin Australia Doha flights are operated by Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, featuring 354 seats, including 42 lie-flat business class suites and 312 economy seats. Passengers on all flights enjoy complimentary high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi throughout their journey.
The inaugural flight, operating as VA1, departed Sydney International Airport at 15:08 on June 12 and landed in Doha at 22:12 the same day, completing the 7,687-mile journey in 14 hours and four minutes.
Virgin Australia CEO Dave Emerson called the launch a major milestone, opening global travel opportunities while boosting Australia’s tourism economy. Qatar Airways CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer praised the partnership’s potential to deliver world-class service and greater competition in the Australian market.
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