Today marks another major milestone for Virgin Australia, with the launch of its inaugural Brisbane-Doha service, departing from Virgin Australia’s home port.
The new route unlocks one-stop access to more than 170 global destinations via Qatar Airways’ extensive global network.
The launch follows Virgin Australia’s return to long-haul international flying last week. It also represents a significant evolution of Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways’ partnership, with Sydney flights already underway, Perth set to launch on 26 June and Melbourne services to follow in December.
The Virgin Australia-Qatar Airways alliance brings together two aviation brands to deliver more choice to Australian consumers, with connectivity to six continents. The new Australia-Doha services will offer elevated service offerings, exceptional inflight amenities and loyalty benefits.
By December 2025 the alliance will grow the capacity of flights from Australia to Doha to 2.65 million seats a year. This will increase competitiveness in the market and provide ample choice for Aussie travellers wanting to visit Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Passengers onboard the new Doha flights will travel on Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 aircraft.
Aircraft features
- Qsuite Business Class – named World’s Best Business Class in Skytrax’s World Airline Awards 2024, offering private suites, lie-flat beds, and the option for couples to create a double bed in the sky.
- Spacious Economy Cabins with one of the widest seats in the industry and renowned inflight service.
- Complimentary high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi available onboard for all passengers through the entire journey.
The new services are expected to generate more than $3 billion in economic activity within Australia over the next five years, fuelled by an anticipated surge in international visitors and increased tourism spending. The launch is also expected to create hundreds of new jobs in aviation, hospitality and tourism-related sectors across the country. For Virgin Australia employees, this also creates secondment opportunities for Pilots and Cabin Crew to broaden their skills and gain international flying experience within Qatar Airways’ world-class global network.
Virgin Australia CEO Dave Emerson said the inaugural Australia-Doha flights represent a pivotal moment for the airline and for Australian travellers.
“These flights mark the beginning of a new era for Virgin Australia and for international travel from Australia,” he said. “Through our partnership with Qatar Airways we’re not just launching new routes – we’re opening the world to millions of Australians, delivering more choice, better value and a seamless global experience. This partnership strengthens Australia’s global connectivity while generating jobs, boosting tourism and injecting billions into the national economy.”
Qatar Airways Group CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “We are delighted to welcome Virgin Australia’s inaugural Brisbane to Doha service to our award-winning Hamad International Airport as the second of four exciting new routes scheduled for 2025.
“This milestone moment in the partnership between our two airlines is the culmination of many months of meticulous planning and tireless dedication of our respective teams, as well as a testament to our shared ambition to deliver increased competition, world-class service and value to Australian passengers.”
Velocity Frequent Flyer benefits
Velocity Frequent Flyer’s members will be eligible for benefits when travelling on the new services. Some of these benefits include:
- 50 per cent bonus Status Credits on bookings made between 12 June and 30 June 2025 for travel between 1 October 2025 and 27 May 2026 on an eligible Virgin Australia flight between Australia and Doha (VA1-29).
- Status Credits earned on the new services (VA1-29) will contribute to the new requirement from October 2025 onwards, to earn at least 50 per cent of Status Credits on Virgin Australia flights to upgrade or maintain Status.
- Points benefits for Silver, Gold and Platinum members including 50 per cent bonus Points for Silver members, 75 per cent bonus Points for Gold members and 100 per cent for Platinum members on eligible flights.
- From 1 October 2025, Velocity will be increasing the number of Status Credits that members will earn on the new Virgin Australia services between Australia and Doha (VA1-29) and Qatar Airways marketed and/or operated flights between Australia and Doha. This ensures that from 1 October 2025, the same Status Credit earn rate applies on all Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways marketed and/or operated services on eligible routes.
These enhancements complement previously announced benefits including Business Class upgrades using Points (available from 1 July 2025, when travelling on Economy Flex fares), US$20 vouchers for selected food outlets at Hamad International Airport7, and premium lounge access in Australia, Doha and European ports8, and complimentary Advance Seat Selection9 and additional baggage allowance for Gold and Platinum members.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said the new flights firmly positioned South-East Queensland as a major gateway to Australia. “This is a part of our new 20-year tourism plan – Destination 2045 – in action, building strong global connections, growing sustainable visitation and ensuring Queensland tourism thrives for the next 20 years and beyond.
“These new flights mean more tourists enjoying everything Queensland has to offer, giving visitors from all over the world affordable ways to reach our communities, boosting business for Queensland tourism operators,” Powell said.
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said these new flights are a welcome boost to tourism. “This marks the most significant increase in capacity between Queensland and Europe in the past two years, and we’re confident these new daily flights will boost tourism, strengthen international ties, and support Queensland’s exporters.
“It’s fantastic news for the Brisbane-headquartered airline and even better news for travellers and Queensland’s tourism-driven economy,” de Graaff said.
Celebration Fares
To celebrate its return to long-haul flying, Virgin Australia has unveiled limited-time celebration fares to Doha and selected beyond destinations in Europe, with eligible fares discounted by up to 15 per cent for selected travel dates between 16 October 2025 and 31 March 2026. Fares on sale until 11:59pm AEST 30 June 2025, unless sold out prior.
