Virgin Australia flights to Doha

[FlyingKangaroo]

Thanks for the explanation: It is VA1 so I will check in with VA but I wasn't aware that VA don't support online check-in for international flights. This seems like a really basic thing for them to lack?

Well anyway, I'll try for myself if this is possible to do when Qatar's check-in window opens (though, something tells me this probably won't work) and as a last resort, will monitor the seatmap closer to the time and ask at the check-in counter at the airport if they can put me in a decent seat.

Thanks for the clarification. Yes, being VA 1, you will check in with VA. Agree that it's a basic limitation -- welcome to VA's IT system, I'm afraid.

I'd do what you suggest: see if you can get lucky and manage to choose a seat via QR's manage booking link online once the window opens; if not, unfortunately it'll mean a frustrating wait for airport check-in to give it a go.

 

[rurounimaikeru]

I have similar situation with VA7 and then connecting onto QR239 . I have selected for free seats on VA7 via VA website.

For QR flights if travelling as a couple on 787, is default seat allocation a middle pair?

 

[jase05]

I have similar situation with VA7 and then connecting onto QR239 . I have selected for free seats on VA7 via VA website.

For QR flights if travelling as a couple on 787, is default seat allocation a middle pair?

I guess it depends on how many full paying fares or status passengers are on that flight and whether they have selected seats already.
Luck of the draw sadly

 

[leesionn]

Third daily flight to Doha from Sydney commencing December 8, coded VA3, leaves at 9:10pm. Will be a QR for VA flight again on the 777s.

 

[SCM]

Third daily flight to Doha from Sydney commencing December 8, coded VA3, leaves at 9:10pm. Will be a QR for VA flight again on the 777s.

I wonder when the reward seats get added?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I wonder when the reward seats get added?

Ikr! The answer was ‘not yet’ as of yesterday. I jumped straight on to look for them!

 

[burmans]

Any recent experience with bag transfers at Doha on separate tickets. I have VA1 to Doha (operated by Qatar) then just over 3 hours later DOH to MAD on Iberia, both in business.

A bit of googling suggest I should be able to get Qatar to check bags though but not definitely. VA1 ontime record seems really good so just over 3 hours seems doable.

The question though is whether we need to go through immigration or not. Given you need to apply for an e-visa 48 hours in advance and it’s $40 pp am keen to avoid if necessary but that maybe on interlining bothers me.

 

[jase05]

Any recent experience with bag transfers at Doha on separate tickets. I have VA1 to Doha (operated by Qatar) then just over 3 hours later DOH to MAD on Iberia, both in business.

A bit of googling suggest I should be able to get Qatar to check bags though but not definitely. VA1 ontime record seems really good so just over 3 hours seems doable.

The question though is whether we need to go through immigration or not. Given you need to apply for an e-visa 48 hours in advance and it’s $40 pp am keen to avoid if necessary but that maybe on interlining bothers me.

Visa not required

 

[I love to travel]

Any recent experience with bag transfers at Doha on separate tickets. I have VA1 to Doha (operated by Qatar) then just over 3 hours later DOH to MAD on Iberia, both in business.

A bit of googling suggest I should be able to get Qatar to check bags though but not definitely. VA1 ontime record seems really good so just over 3 hours seems doable.

The question though is whether we need to go through immigration or not. Given you need to apply for an e-visa 48 hours in advance and it’s $40 pp am keen to avoid if necessary but that maybe on interlining bothers me.

Are you sure about needing a visa?
On previous VA flight no baggage interlining allowed

 

[burmans]

Are you sure about needing a visa?
On previous VA flight no baggage interlining allowed

Yeah, that's a bit weird, had previously checked on the Hayvva site and it said Visa required but visitqatar site says not. Regardless visa-free requires a hotel booking but fortunately hotels are cheap in Qatar, looks like I just need to bite the bullet on this.

 

[jase05]

Yeah, that's a bit weird, had previously checked on the Hayvva site and it said Visa required but visitqatar site says not. Regardless visa-free requires a hotel booking but fortunately hotels are cheap in Qatar, looks like I just need to bite the bullet on this.

You only need a hotel booking for overnight transits.
Your onwards booking is fine.
Several times we have had stops of more than 5hrs and we head into town for an hour or two before heading back to the airport. I’m happy to spend a few hours in the lounges at DOH but not all day

 

[Harrison_133]

Some timing changes to the Melbourne flights from December.

VA7/8 effectively swaps places with the existing QR904/905 timings.

• VA7 will now depart MEL at 11:40pm instead of 5:10pm
• VA8 will now depart DOH at 8:20pm instead of 1:50am

This is to facilitate QR904/5 being extended to Auckland.

 

[rurounimaikeru]

Some timing changes to the Melbourne flights from December.

VA7/8 effectively swaps places with the existing QR904/905 timings.

• VA7 will now depart MEL at 11:40pm instead of 5:10pm
• VA8 will now depart DOH at 8:20pm instead of 1:50am

This is to facilitate QR904/5 being extended to Auckland.

I've booked VA7 for may 2027 and about to book VA8.

Did you get notified of ticket change yet?

I've got an onward flight to Istanbul but looks like timing might be ok.

 

[Rayesfeg]

I've booked VA7 for may 2027 and about to book VA8.

Did you get notified of ticket change yet?

VA are terrible at notifying customers of changes to flights.

Received a notification on my flighty app 2 months ago about a change in timing of one of my upcoming flights, and only got an email from VA yesterday to inform me on the change and give me options on rebooking/canceling/accepting.

 

[FlyingFiona]

Some timing changes to the Melbourne flights from December.

VA7/8 effectively swaps places with the existing QR904/905 timings.

• VA7 will now depart MEL at 11:40pm instead of 5:10pm
• VA8 will now depart DOH at 8:20pm instead of 1:50am

This is to facilitate QR904/5 being extended to Auckland.

that will mean current 1hr20m connection time in DOH will lengthen 20h10mins (and mean I have to take another day off work which I don't have leave hours for). I'm booked on QR30 connecting to VA8 in May - will this involuntary change mean I can cancel free of charge (once they let me know about it)?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

that will mean current 1hr20m connection time in DOH will lengthen 20h10mins (and mean I have to take another day off work which I don't have leave hours for). I'm booked on QR30 connecting to VA8 in May - will this involuntary change mean I can cancel free of charge (once they let me know about it)?

I would think that’s a safe bet.

However.. as you are departing on the QR30 which departs from EDI, you are covered by UK261. A lengthened journey of 20 hours would equate to a cancellation, so you would be entitled to rerouting… same class of travel. So it could be the earlier flight out of EDI (if it’s still running when you fly?) to better connect. Or a flight on another airline.

once they notify you you can look at your options, but it should come at no cost to you, same class of service, and arrival time close to your current one.

 

[FlyingFiona]

I would think that’s a safe bet.

However.. as you are departing on the QR30 which departs from EDI, you are covered by UK261. A lengthened journey of 20 hours would equate to a cancellation, so you would be entitled to rerouting… same class of travel. So it could be the earlier flight out of EDI (if it’s still running when you fly?) to better connect. Or a flight on another airline.

once they notify you you can look at your options, but it should come at no cost to you, same class of service, and arrival time close to your current one.

Thanks, I hadn't thought about that! Mind you, if I can find something to change to voluntarily I can also save on the high co-payment for QR flights (which I don't mind for a QSuite, but not for a lot of other J class products).