Virgin Australia is increasing the points and status credit earn rates on its ‘semi-flexible’ Elevate fares for long-haul international flights. These fares sit between the airline’s cheapest Getaway tickets and fully-flexible Freedom fares.

The changes apply to Virgin’s own long-haul flights (ie. to Hong Kong, Tokyo and Los Angeles), as well as codeshare services operated by partner airlines (ie. Alitalia, Delta, Etihad, Hainan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways and Virgin Atlantic).

Flights operated by partner airlines must carry a VA code to attract the higher earn rates.

For flights booked from 23 January 2020 for travel from 23 April 2020, the number of Velocity Points earned will increase by 20% from 0.5 to 0.6 Velocity Points per mile flown.

Customers will also earn 5 extra status credits in each direction.

Here are the current status credit earn rates, which will continue to apply to all travel until 22 April 2020, as well as flights after that date which were booked before 23 January 2020. 

Here are the status credit earn rates for bookings made from 23 January 2020 for travel from 23 April 2020.

As you can see in the table above, Virgin is also introducing a new “Economy Light” fare for flights to Hong Kong, Tokyo and America originating from Australia. It will be cheaper than a Getaway fare but will earn fewer points (0.25 Velocity Points per mile flown) and status credits, and come with a range of restrictions including less checked baggage (one 23kg bag), no advance seat selection (until check-in), no upgrades (except to Economy X) and no changes or refunds.

Platinum, Gold and Silver Status members will still receive their complimentary baggage allowance, however preferential seating for status members won’t be available.

More information about these changes is available here.

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Air New Zealand has begun selling tickets for its non-stop Auckland-New York flights, which are scheduled to take off on 29 October 2020.

With a flight time of 15hr 40m northbound and 17hr 40m southbound, the 14,178 kilometre route will be Air New Zealand’s longest and the fifth longest in the world by distance.

Flight NZ2 will depart Auckland on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 19:55, arriving at Newark Airport at 17:35 the same day.

The return flight NZ1 will depart Newark at 19:05, landing in Auckland at 06:45 + 2 days.

These timings provide ample room for connections in both directions. Most Australians will be able to board one of AirNZ’s daytime flights to Auckland and connect easily to the evening New York service. The total flying time will be similar to what Qantas, Virgin and other airlines currently offer via Los Angeles and other US ports (the main exception here is for travellers from Perth, who would have to endure long layovers in Auckland. You’re better off flying with other airlines.).

In Newark, passengers can connect to alliance partner United Airlines’s extensive North American network.

AirNZ will operate the non-stop flights with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner that is configured with a higher proportion of business class and premium economy seats, as befitting an ultra-long haul route.

The aircraft will feature 27 fully-flat business class seats arranged in a 1-1-1 layout, 33 premium economy seats in a 2-3-2 layout, and 215 economy seats in a 3-3-3 layout, many of which can be turned into a “Skycouch”.

Business class seat

Premium economy seating

Economy Skycouch

More information about the seats and their features is available here.

Tickets are now on sale via Air New Zealand’s website and travel agents.

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The Moroccan airline Royal Air Maroc (RAM) will officially join the oneworld alliance on 1 April 2020, becoming oneworld’s first full member in the African continent.

It’s been over a year since we first learned that the airline intended to join the alliance, so this is welcome news for oneworld customers, including Qantas Frequent Flyers.

RAM’s regional subsidiary Royal Air Maroc Express will also join as a oneworld affiliate member from 1 April.

RAM connects its base in Casablanca with over 100 destinations in more than 50 countries over six regions – Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America and South America. These include oneworld hubs at Amman, Doha, London Heathrow, Madrid, Miami, Moscow Domodedovo and New York John F Kennedy.

RAM will add 39 new destinations in 23 countries to the existing oneworld network.

Effective 1 April, oneworld frequent flyers will enjoy the full range of benefits and services when travelling with RAM. Qantas Frequent Flyer members will be able to earn and redeem points on RAM flights. Travellers in premium cabins and top tier status holders will also have access to the airline’s lounges no matter which oneworld airline they are flying with or their class of travel.

RAM’s fleet mostly comprises Boeing 737s on short to medium-haul routes, and Boeing 787s on longhaul services. Its regional affiliate Royal Air Maroc Express operates five ATR 72s.

The airline offers a two-class Business and Economy product on most routes, with business class in a 1-2-1 layout on 787-9s and a 2-2-2 layout on the smaller 787-8s. On 737s, business class has a 2-2 layout.

Royal Air Maroc 737 business class

Royal Air Maroc 787-9 business class

Economy seats are arranged in a 3-3-3 layout on the 787s while on the 737s the layout is 3-3.

Qantas Frequent Flyer members should be able to earn and use points with RAM and enjoy other benefits from 1 April.

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Virgin Australia has today begun selling tickets for its brand new Brisbane-Tokyo (Haneda) service, which is scheduled to launch on 29 March 2020.

The route will be operated by an A330 aircraft with 20 fantastic lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 layout and 255 economy seats in a 2-4-2 configuration (8 of which are extra-legroom Economy X seats).

A330 business class

A330 economy

Virgin is offering all-inclusive fares, with checked bags, meals and in-flight entertainment included, starting at $699 return in economy or $3,495 return in business class.

The schedule for the flights will be as follows:

• VA77 Brisbane 11:40 – Haneda 20:00
• VA76 Haneda 21:45 – Brisbane 07:45 (next day)

Domestic connections are available within Australia of course, and at the other end customers will be to fly within Japan with partner ANA.

Lots of reward seats are currently available, with a one-way cost of 27,800 Velocity Points plus ~$129 in taxes and fees in economy, or 59,500 points + ~$144 in business class. It looks like only one business class reward seat has been released on each flight, but there are many in economy. Snap them up!

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