Virgin Australia partnership

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and Australia-based Virgin Australia Group joined forces on August 26, 2010 to offer our customers an expanded global network and increased loyalty rewards through fully reciprocal frequent flyer programmes and airport lounge access.

Etihad customers can now travel to over 45 Virgin Australia destinations in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Asia and to Los Angeles. With our 66 destinations available to Virgin Australia customers, the two companies offer a joint network of 110 destinations.

In February 2011, Virgin Australia became the first Australian airline to operate to the Middle East for 20 years when it launched direct flights to Abu Dhabi from Sydney.

Hogan said that by partnering across global and regional routes, Etihad and Virgin Australia could offer a comprehensive network to customers while realising significant, complementary benefits for the two airlines. Under the agreement, we will explore further avenues of cooperation with Virgin Australia to us to cooperate across a broad range of commercial functions.