CZ will codeshare VA to feed Australia service

[LionKing]

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202512/08/WS6936ba7fa310d6866eb2d7ee.html

China Southern is code sharing with Virgin Australia - so its relationship with Qantas nearing its end?

 

[AIRwin]

Just as CZ increases flights to Australia:

Thread 'China Southern increases flights to Australia'

Aug 21, 2025

Seasonal CAN-BNE on CZ:

China Southern NW25 Australia Service Expansion — AeroRoutes

Published at 2000PDT 19AUG25 / 0300GMT 20AUG25 China Southern this week filed service expansion to Australia during Northern winter 2025/26 season, as the airline introduces additional frequencies to Australia during peak season. Guangzhou – Adelaide 15DEC25 – 02MAR26 Increase from 3 to 4 wee

www.aeroroutes.com

An increase from 55 to 71 flights a week is probably worthy of its own thread rather than lumping it here, having said that I welcome the option of a day flight to/from BNE. The Novotel at CAN is a great option for the night before as well.

• markis10
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Other Airlines & Frequent Flyer Programs

• 

 

[HS-TQE]

CZ's codeshare with VA will initially be a unilateral codeshare to start off with, largely for CZ to feed Chinese passengers onto VA domestic (and Short Haul Int to Bali/Fiji & the Pacific Islands).

Both CZ and VA have left the door open on eventually expanding it to a bilateral codeshare like CZ/QF's current (expiring) codeshare agreement. It would also expand VA's codeshare presence back into China again if that happens.

 

[antycbr]

Reward seats on CZ would be a nice addition compared to the Arnotts Assorted Biscuits of current Chinese partners reflecting the Hainan ownership (remember them?)

 

[Obzerva]

So is this the third unilateral codeshare on VA?

MK and AI both do already in addition to the new CZ deal, any others?

 

[HS-TQE]

So is this the third unilateral codeshare on VA?

MK and AI both do already in addition to the new CZ deal, any others?

Theres the unilateral Trans-Tasman codeshare with NZ which goes the other way (where VA acts as the travel agent on behalf of NZ) where VA resells NZ Trans-Tasman seats under the VA codeshare number.

So techncially 4, 3 where other airlines are 'travel agents' for VA Dom/SHi and the Trans-Tasman codeshare where VA acts as the travel agent on behalf of NZ.

 

[Lucass]

I hope this new deal encourages Virgin to re enter China flights on its own metal. Hopefully VA starts CNS-CAN as China Southern hasn't restarted that route post covid.

 

[AIRwin]

Hopefully VA starts CNS-CAN as China Southern hasn't restarted that route post covid.

CX already operating between CNS and HKG

 

[Lucass]

CX already operating between CNS and HKG

Yes, I thought China Southern would want to compete on this route against CX

 

[ben95]

I hope this new deal encourages Virgin to re enter China flights on its own metal. Hopefully VA starts CNS-CAN as China Southern hasn't restarted that route post covid.

That's just suisidal. Have you seen how much capcity has been dumped onto the China-Australia market this summer? 28x weekly SYD-CAN, 21x MEL-CAN, 38x SYD-HKG, 31x MEL-HKG, 25x SYD-PVG, 24x MEL-PVG just to name a few major hubs, there a cough ton more to other smaller cities on both end which has led to all time low air fares and tiny (if not at a loss) margin for even for the deep pockets of the Chinese state owned carriers.

 

[Haplo]

Yes I have been watching airfares drop in the second half of January, it is now down to 800 return which is pretty much shoulder pricing for peak travel in Australia.

 

[markis10]

Yes I have been watching airfares drop in the second half of January, it is now down to 800 return which is pretty much shoulder pricing for peak travel in Australia.

SYD-PVG-SCZ-WUH-SYD for $590 in August 24, they still have a way to go.

 

[justinbrett]

I hope this new deal encourages Virgin to re enter China flights on its own metal. Hopefully VA starts CNS-CAN as China Southern hasn't restarted that route post covid.

So they couldn’t make CNS HND work but you think they can make CNS CAN work which is almost the same distance?

And QF can’t make any China services work?

 

[Haplo]

SYD-PVG-SCZ-WUH-SYD for $590 in August 24, they still have a way to go.

August is outside school holidays so its off peak, late Jan is still school holidays so its peak.

 

[elanshin]

I hope this new deal encourages Virgin to re enter China flights on its own metal. Hopefully VA starts CNS-CAN as China Southern hasn't restarted that route post covid.

VA isn't about to commit financial suicide, nor would QR holding a cornerstone stake allow it.
Chinese market is the opposite of low hanging fruit.
When QF had to pull out from China, you don't have a hope to make it work as VA who currently still has no widebodies nor any medium haul Int'l except Bali (even then you can argue JQ with their bogan missiles does a better job marketing and pricing).

CZ not working QF but instead choosing VA is the only interesting part of this equation more than anything else.

 

[jase05]

CZ not working QF but instead choosing VA is the only interesting part of this equation more than anything else.

Does QR still have a stake in CZ?

 

[markis10]

Does QR still have a stake in CZ?

AA has 1%, Qatar has 5% still I believe.