Virgin Australia has just announced a fresh partnership with United Airlines that promises to multiply the airline’s reach into the Americas threefold.

This means more destinations and more benefits for those travelling to various cities across the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America.

The partnership with United will replace Virgin’s current codeshare and frequent flyer relationship with Delta Air Lines, which has stood for over a decade.

The partnership, which will officially take off in April 2022, establishes codeshare cooperation between the two airlines. This is great news for Velocity Frequent Flyer members, as they can now earn, redeem, and receive tier benefits when travelling on United’s comprehensive domestic and international network. This includes connections from United’s various Australian gateways.

United Airlines, already known for its significant presence in Australia, will extend its reach further. As the U.S. carrier with the most flights to Australia, United offers daily direct flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles to Sydney. Flights from Houston and direct services to Melbourne are also on the itinerary for later in 2022.

With this new partnership, United’s customers can now enjoy seamless access to major Australian cities through Virgin Australia’s extensive domestic network.

Eligible Velocity and United MileagePlus members will receive the following benefits when travelling on Virgin Australia and United services worldwide:

• priority check-in
• priority boarding
• priority baggage delivery and additional baggage check allowance
• priority security clearance
• lounge access.

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Virgin Australia is gearing up to restart flights between Sydney and Canberra, starting from the 30th of January 2022. This announcement comes as part of an exclusive agreement with Link Airways, promising over 50 services a week between these two capital cities.

Virgin Australia had initially paused these services in April 2020, right when the global pandemic was at its peak.

Now, Virgin Australia will be operating these services using Link Airways’ Saab 340 B Plus aircraft and crew. There are up to 9 flights per weekday that can be booked right now at virginaustralia.com.

This is welcome news for everyone – whether you’re travelling for business, leisure or government purposes. With the resumption of these services, there’s now more choice and flexibility for those flying to and from the capital.

For those short trips with Link Airways, Virgin Australia customers will receive complimentary tea, coffee, and water.

This partnership with Link Airways is a strategic move for Virgin Australia. It allows them to expand their domestic network into markets like Sydney-Canberra, which were previously difficult to serve efficiently with their 737-800 aircraft.

To cap it all off, today’s announcement also included the reopening of the Canberra Lounge, with a fresh and improved menu.

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In a bid to recognise and reward sustainable choices made by its customers, Qantas Frequent Flyers program is set to introduce a new Green membership tier, coming into effect next year.

This ground-breaking initiative from Qantas, the first of its kind worldwide, is an effort to encourage sustainable choices both in the air and on the ground.

The Green tier will be introduced as an addition to the existing membership tiers.

The intention here is not just to reward, but also to educate and inspire the airline’s extensive base of 13 million frequent flyers to make more sustainable choices.

These can range from choosing to offset their flights, opting to stay in eco-friendly hotels, walking to work, or even installing solar panels at home.

To qualify for the Green tier status, members will be required to complete a minimum of five sustainable activities each year.

These activities are categorized into six areas – flying, travel, lifestyle, sustainable purchases, reducing impact, and giving back.

Once a member achieves Green tier status, they’ll enjoy additional benefits such as bonus Qantas Points or status credits.

Importantly, these benefits will be over and above the rewards that members earn under their existing flying status or as part of Points Club.

This initiative is not just an attempt to promote sustainability among its members but is also a response to their feedback.

Research has shown that nearly two-thirds of Qantas’ frequent flyers are eager to be more environmentally conscious.

They appreciate being more informed about their environmental footprint and are keen on support to make more sustainable choices.

While the official start of the program is slated for next year, from today onwards, members who take certain actions, such as offsetting their flights, home and car, installing solar panels, or contributing towards the protection of the Great Barrier Reef, will see these actions count towards their sustainability targets for achieving Green tier status.

In addition, once the program officially kicks off next year, other environmentally friendly behaviours like walking to work, and contributing to the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel, will also be rewarded.

Sustainable aviation fuel, as it happens, significantly reduces the emissions from flying, thus playing a key role in reducing the environmental impact of air travel.

Further information on the green tier and how customers can offset their emissions can be found here.

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