Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand Reunite in Codeshare

Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand have officially rekindled their trans-Tasman codeshare partnership, marking a fresh start after a six-year hiatus. Starting December 5, 2024, travelers will be able to book Virgin Australia flights operated by Air New Zealand under a VA flight number, providing seamless access from Australia to key New Zealand gateways, including Auckland Airport (AKL), Wellington Airport (WLG), and Christchurch Airport (CHC). This comes in addition to Virgin Australia’s existing services to Queenstown Airport (ZQN).

The return of this strategic alliance brings significant benefits to Virgin Australia guests, especially Velocity Frequent Flyer members. By booking flights from December 9, 2024, onward, passengers gain access to nearly 300 weekly services between Australia and New Zealand operated by Air New Zealand. Although these trans-Tasman flights form the core of the arrangement, it’s important to note that Air New Zealand’s domestic routes within New Zealand remain outside the codeshare agreement.

For Virgin Australia travelers, the revival of this partnership translates into a host of perks. Velocity Frequent Flyer members can earn Velocity Points and Status Credits when traveling on codeshared flights carrying VA flight numbers. Eligible members—those holding Gold and Platinum Velocity status—will also enjoy lounge access, priority boarding, priority check-in, and one additional checked bag (up to 23kg). The alignment of both carriers’ networks ensures a streamlined travel experience, with checked baggage transferred directly to connecting flights and boarding passes issued for the entire journey.

In addition to these loyalty program rewards, Virgin Australia Business Flyers gain access to exclusive discounts and benefits, enhancing the value proposition for corporate customers. This move reinforces the significance of the arrangement, as the two carriers seek to facilitate not just leisure travel but also business mobility and economic exchange across the Tasman Sea.

Virgin Australia’s Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Alistair Hartley, highlighted the cultural and economic significance of reconnecting these two regions. He emphasized that this codeshare agreement transcends mere flight connectivity, instead creating an integrated travel experience that encourages exploration, commerce, and cultural exchange. The arrangement ensures that crossing the Tasman becomes as easy as crossing a city street, offering flexibility, rewards, and network coverage that will appeal to a wide range of travelers.

To celebrate the partnership’s renewal, Virgin Australia adopted a lighthearted approach by announcing it on social media, humorously declaring its new “relationship status” as “in a codeshare relationship” with Air New Zealand. The two carriers previously enjoyed a codeshare alliance starting in October 2010, but this arrangement ended in October 2018. The reinstatement of the partnership underscores both airlines’ recognition of the value in coordinating their trans-Tasman networks, fostering closer ties between the two neighboring countries, and enhancing the travel experience for their customers.

By re-establishing this partnership, Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand cement their positions as strong contenders in the competitive trans-Tasman market, offering travelers a combination of choice, value, and convenience that aligns perfectly with the evolving demands of modern international travel.

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