Etihad to End Virgin Australia Partnership by Mid-2025
Etihad Airways has announced it will terminate its unilateral codeshare and frequent flier partnership with Virgin Australia by mid-2025. Starting June 1, 2025, passengers will no longer be able to book Virgin Australia-operated flights through Etihad’s booking channels, and Etihad Guest members will no longer earn miles on those flights.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier assured customers with existing bookings that their itineraries will remain unaffected. In a statement, Etihad reiterated its commitment to the Australian market, noting plans to increase flights to Sydney and Melbourne during Summer 2025, offering enhanced connections and loyalty benefits.
The decision comes as Virgin Australia strengthens its relationship with Qatar Airways, which plans to acquire a 25% equity stake in the Australian carrier. The partnership aims to facilitate Virgin Australia’s return to long-haul international routes by mid-2025. This development will make Qatar Airways Virgin Australia’s exclusive codeshare, interline, and loyalty partner for destinations in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, pending regulatory approval.
Virgin Australia has also submitted changes to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), confirming that its codeshare with Singapore Airlines will be limited to Asia. EMEA destinations under this agreement will no longer be available, although frequent flier benefits with Singapore Airlines remain unaffected.
As the global airline alliances shift, Etihad continues to expand its reach with an emphasis on key markets, while Virgin Australia navigates new strategic partnerships to strengthen its international network.
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