Niche New Routes Launched to Launceston

It’s been a big week for Launceston Airport in northern Tasmania. Virgin Australia this week announced it will add a non-stop service from Launceston to Perth, running 3x weekly on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays. The seasonal route will operate from 5 November 2021 until 30 January 2022. It comes as Virgin’s inaugural Launceston-Adelaide service took off … Continued

Alitalia is Shutting Down: Impact on Velocity Members?

The Italian government will shut down its terminally unprofitable flag carrier Alitalia next month, replacing it with a brand new airline. ITA, which stands for Italia Trasporto Aereo, will take over many of Alitalia’s old aircraft and routes from 15 October 2021. But, determined not to repeat the same mistakes as its predecessor, ITA will … Continued

Virgin Australia’s COVID-19 “VA-X & Win” Competition

Virgin Australia has launched its own competition for Australians who’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The “VA-X and WIN” competition is open to all Australian adults who receive both doses of a TGA-approved COVID-19 vaccine in Australia by the end of this year. There are a total of 251 prizes up for grabs. Qantas launched … Continued

Velocity Adjusts Status Credit Earn Rates

Virgin Australia has reduced the number of Velocity status credits earned on its cheapest Economy Class tickets. But it has also slightly increased the status credits earned on some Business Class fares. The changes come as Virgin rebrands its fare categories. The new Virgin Australia fare families are: These are not just name changes. The … Continued

Virgin Devalues “Fly Ahead” for Velocity Gold Members

Virgin Australia will no longer offer its “Fly Ahead” benefit to Velocity Gold members from 19 November 2021, except when travelling on an Economy Flex or Business ticket. Fly Ahead has been a hugely popular Velocity Frequent Flyer benefit since the program’s inception. With Fly Ahead, Velocity Gold and Platinum members have the option to … Continued