SYDNEY- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) and Virgin Australia (VA) have forged a strategic codeshare partnership, revolutionizing travel connectivity between India and Australia.
The partnership grants Air India’s customers access to streamlined travel options from Delhi to Melbourne or Sydney, with seamless connections to 16 additional destinations across Australia and New Zealand.
Photo: Mumbai Planes | Siddh DhuriAir India Virgin Australia Codeshare
The integration enables Air India to implement its ‘AI’ code on Virgin Australia’s flight operations through a unilateral codeshare agreement. This enhancement simplifies the travel experience by allowing passengers to check their baggage through to their final destination on a single ticket.
The expanded network now encompasses major Australian cities including Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, and Darwin, along with popular tourist destinations such as Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, and Queenstown in New Zealand.
Regional centers such as Ballina/Byron Bay, Newcastle, and the Sunshine Coast have also become accessible through this partnership. Additional metropolitan destinations include Canberra, Hobart, and Launceston, creating a comprehensive travel network across the region.
Photo: Air IndiaExecutive Remarks
Virgin Australia’s Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Alistair Hartley, emphasizes how the partnership facilitates Indian travelers’ exploration of Australia, capitalizing on Air India’s 14 weekly flights and Virgin Australia’s extensive domestic network.
Air India’s Chief Commercial Officer, Nipun Aggarwal, highlights Australia’s strategic importance in their international market. The partnership serves the substantial Indian diaspora while opening new destinations for tourists interested in Australia’s diverse attractions, from the Gold Coast beaches to Tasmania and the Great Barrier Reef.
Photo: DnataAir India maintains daily non-stop flights connecting Delhi (DEL) to both Melbourne (MEL) and Sydney (SYD), utilizing Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The fleet features 18 flat-bed Business Class seats and 238 Economy Class seats. Passengers continuing their journey on Virgin Australia receive access to premium cabin services across both classes.
The codeshare operations commence with bookings opening on February 11, 2025, and flights beginning February 18, 2025. Regulatory authorities maintain final approval rights over the Queenstown, New Zealand route.
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Photo: CHEN AI | JetPhotosExisting Codeshare Partners
Recently Air India made multiple codeshare and interline agreements or have extended pre-existing partnerships with many global carriers to provide more options to its travelers. This includes codeshare deals with Kenya Airways (KQ), Singapore Airlines (SQ), Lufthansa (LH), SWISS (LX), All Nippon Airways or ANA (NH), Avianca (AV), etc.
Recent partnerships with major carriers United Airlines (UA), Lufthansa, Air Canada (AC), Jetstar Airways (JQ), Air New Zealand (NZ), Qantas Airways (QF), and Virgin Australia strengthen Air India’s network expansion. The airline rewards these journeys through its Maharaja Points loyalty program.
The comprehensive partner network includes established collaborations with Air India Express (IX), SWISS, Ethiopian Airlines (ET), EgyptAir (MS), Eva Air (BE), Croatia Airlines (OU), TAP Air Portugal (TP), SriLankan Airlines (UL), Avianca, Air Mauritius (MK), Singapore Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines (LO), and All Nippon Airways. Each partnership operates under their respective airline codes.
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The post Air India Offers 16 New Destinations with Virgin Australia Codeshare appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
