Virgin Australia and Air NZ form new partnership

[Harrison_133]

Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand have indeed lodged an application with the ACCC for an expanded partnership.

In summary, the Applicants are seeking authorisation for conduct relating to codesharing on trans-Tasman services (excluding Queenstown) and connecting domestic services, global reciprocal frequent flyer accrual/redemption and global reciprocal status benefits across the network of each airline.

Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd and Ors

On 14 September 2026, Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd and Virgin Australia International Airlines Pty Ltd (and their related bodies corporate together, Virgin Australia) and Air New Zealand Limited (Air NZ) (together with Virgin Australia, the Applicants) lodged an application for...

www.accc.gov.au

 

[roby]

Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand have indeed lodged an application with the ACCC for an expanded partnership.

Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd and Ors

On 14 September 2026, Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd and Virgin Australia International Airlines Pty Ltd (and their related bodies corporate together, Virgin Australia) and Air New Zealand Limited (Air NZ) (together with Virgin Australia, the Applicants) lodged an application for...

www.accc.gov.au

Earn and burn network wide excluding DOH. That's much better than the QF/NZ deal and even better then the old VA/NZ one that excluded Pacific Islands and Bali.

 

[LionKing]

Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand have indeed lodged an application with the ACCC for an expanded partnership.

Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd and Ors

On 14 September 2026, Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd and Virgin Australia International Airlines Pty Ltd (and their related bodies corporate together, Virgin Australia) and Air New Zealand Limited (Air NZ) (together with Virgin Australia, the Applicants) lodged an application for...

www.accc.gov.au

Thanks. For some reason I cannot find that. Hopefully this will get approved and Virgin Australia can get some big announcements soon.

 

[HS-TQE]

Earn and burn network wide excluding DOH. That's much better than the QF/NZ deal and even better then the old VA/NZ one that excluded Pacific Islands and Bali.

I suspect the reward seats on their long haul services ex-AKL will be limited at best. They will want to have higher-yielding customers on their own code filling up those seats, with VA/VFF customers being low in priority.

 

[MooTime]

Reward seats long haul limited, can say that for any airline.

Def positive this VA/NZ hookup.

 

[HS-TQE]

The proposed codeshare expansion slightly better than the previous Godfrey/Borghetti-era JV codeshare (extended to Pacific Islands and Bali networks), whereas the last iteration was limited to each other's domestic networks.

Do note that the ex-Australia POS restrictions continue to apply per the application.

 

[dajop]

Sounds very much what the (now) NZ PM wanted at the time NZ divested there VA stock. VA concentrating on short haul narrow body ops - leaving NZ for the rest eastbound out of Australia.

 

[HS-TQE]

Sounds very much what the (now) NZ PM wanted at the time NZ divested there VA stock. VA concentrating on short haul narrow body ops - leaving NZ for the rest eastbound out of Australia.

Not going to help NZ's long haul services in the long run. VA's already redirected their eastbound long-haul customers into UA and to some extent AC.

The proposed NZ/VA Codeshare excludes NZ's long haul services, although there will be limited reward seat availability via VFF on the NZ code.

Probably best for NZ in the long run to exclude long haul from the VA codeshare arrangement, as they will want to fill up those seats with their own high-yielding customers, not low-yielding VA connecting customers which doesn't add to NZ Long Haul's bottom line.

 

[PERLHR]

I love the idea of expanded code share.....and also long haul. Personally I love using VA code on ANZ metal between PER and AKL....flat bed and great biz service of the 7 hour flight. Add on Pacific Islands as well as ANZ domestic networks is a big thumbs up from me. While USA is not on my agenda at the moment I can see many advantages routing ex PER to west coast USA or Hawaii ex PER on ANZ on a VA flight number without routing via awful SYD

 

[LionKing]

I suspect the reward seats on their long haul services ex-AKL will be limited at best. They will want to have higher-yielding customers on their own code filling up those seats, with VA/VFF customers being low in priority.

I am hoping NZ can provide some reward seats between AKL and Asia. I can see super cheap fares to PVG, HKG, TPE and NRT which can beat Qantas, in terms of reward seat availability.

 

[Rayesfeg]

The proposed NZ/VA Codeshare excludes NZ's long haul services, although there will be limited reward seat availability via VFF on the NZ code.

are you sure ? The ACCC application points out:


To me, I read that as all flights would be included? Genuine question by the way, perhaps I have misunderstood.

 

[roby]

are you sure ? The ACCC application points out:
View attachment 522564

To me, I read that as all flights would be included? Genuine question by the way, perhaps I have misunderstood.

Earn and burn, yes. Codeshare, no!

 

[Rayesfeg]

Looks like this means VA have no desire to renter the Trans-Tasman market using their own planes (excluding Queenstown of course).