Aussie travellers heading overseas can now snap up cheaper flights after two major airlines joined forces in a ‘gamechanger’ deal.
Virgin Australia has released a range of new flights to more than 100 destinations across the Middle East, Europe and Africa in partnership with Qatar Airways.
From Thursday, Aussies can book flights to fly out of Sydney, Brisbane and Perth via Doha to popular European destinations including Rome and Paris from June 2025.
Flights from Melbourne can be booked from January, to fly later in the year.
The new fares include economy flights from Perth to Paris return from $1,791, Sydney to London return from $1,982 and Brisbane and Rome return from $1,945.
Business fares are also expected to be competitive, starting at $8,000 for Perth-Paris.
Virgin Australia will operate the flights, using Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 aircraft.
The deal is still subject to regulatory approvals and will shake up international air travel, in direct competition with Qantas’ partnership with Emirates.
Virgin Australia has released a range of new flights to more than 100 destinations across the Middle East, Europe and Africa in partnership with Qatar Airways
On Thursday Virgin Australia released a range of new flights to over 100 destinations across the Middle East, Europe and Africa in partnership with Qatar Airways. Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways cabin crew are pictured
Virgin Australia chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka hailed Qatar Airways partnership partnership with Qatar Airways as a game-changer.
‘This is a huge win for Australian travellers which brings more value and choice for passengers wanting to fly internationally,’ Ms Hrdlicka said.
‘Through this partnership Virgin Australia becomes stronger, improving our ability to compete domestically – which is great news for Virgin Australia, our people and consumers.’
Ms Hrdlicka added that 28 new weekly services to Doha will open up a world of opportunity for Aussies, with more passengers able to connect to over 100 destinations around the world on Qatar Airways’ network.
Passengers can also collect up to 10,000 bonus Velocity Points on eligible long-haul economy return flights booked by January 20 for travel between June 21 and September 30.
The new international flights taking off from next year will be operated by Virgin Australia using Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 aircraft. A Qatar Airways aircraft is pictured
The new overseas routes will also provide a much-needed to the economy.
‘The services sector will benefit from the additional $3 billion in economic value that will be delivered over the next five years from the increased inbound visitors, which means more jobs and more opportunities for the travel and tourism industry,’ Ms Hrdlicka said.
Qatar Airways has faced controversy in recent years.
In October 2022, Qatar Airways made a request to the federal government for an extra 21 weekly flights into Australian major cities.
The Albanese government rejected Qatar Airways’ application nine months later, declaring that the extra flights were not in Australia’s national interests.
Aussies book flights to fly out of Sydney, Brisbane and Perth via Doha to popular European destinations including Rome and Paris from June 2025.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Transport rejected repeated claims the refusal of the application was to protect Australia’s national carrier Qantas.
Ms King said the 2020 incident at Hamad International Airport – the Doha home of Qatar Airways when 13 Australian women were strip searched provided ‘context’ to her decision.
The women were among 18 female passengers intimately examined by investigators after a newborn baby was found dumped in an airport bathroom bin.
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