Although tentatively approved last month, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has now granted final approval for the "unilateral trans-Tasman codeshare agreement" for five years.
(Image Source)
Virgin AustraliaFormer partners Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand have officially reunited, enhancing seamless travel and increasing the appeal of Virgin’s Velocity frequent flyer program.
Through the revived trans-Tasman alliance, passengers will earn Velocity points and status credits on AirNZ flights with a VA flight number between Australia and New Zealand, and they can also use Velocity points to book those Air New Zealand flights.
Although tentatively approved last month, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has now granted final approval for the “unilateral trans-Tasman codeshare agreement” for five years.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson expressed delight at the ACCC’s decision, calling it a positive development in offering “more value and choice to passengers flying across the Tasman.”
Despite ACCC approval, the airline is still waiting for the New Zealand Ministry of Transport’s decision to finalize the partnership, with no start date announced yet.
Meanwhile, ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh stated that the partnership is expected to provide “more ticketing and price options on trans-Tasman routes.”
“Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand will also jointly offer discounts and various marketing options to businesses, and eligible Virgin Australia customers will access Velocity Frequent Flyer program benefits and international lounge access,” Keogh added.
This means Velocity Gold and Platinum members, along with invite-only Beyond program members, will have access to Air New Zealand lounges when traveling on VA-coded Air New Zealand flights.
The decision will also help Virgin Australia cover gaps in its New Zealand network, as it had ceased all flights to New Zealand except for Queenstown, to concentrate on domestic services.
However, the ACCC specified that this arrangement does not apply to routes where Virgin Australia currently operates or may start operating in competition with Air New Zealand. Presently, these are limited to Virgin’s 737 flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to Queenstown.
It is understood that the Qantas-Air New Zealand domestic partnership will remain unaffected by this agreement between Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand.
Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand had a strong partnership until October 2018, when the Kiwi carrier withdrew due to disagreements with Virgin Australia’s direction under then-CEO John Borghetti. Qantas then formed a new alliance with the Star Alliance member, limited to domestic flights within Australia and New Zealand, rather than trans-Tasman flights.
Disclaimer: Press release
© Press Release 2025
Send us your press releases to news@globalloyalty.org
Press releases originate from external third-party providers. This website does not have responsibility or control over its content, which is presented as is, without any alterations. Neither this website nor its affiliates guarantee the accuracy of the views or opinions expressed in the press release.
The press release is intended solely for informational purposes and does not offer tax, legal, or investment advice, nor does it express any opinion regarding the suitability, value, or profitability of specific securities, portfolios, or investment strategies. Neither this website nor its affiliates are liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, nor for any actions taken based on it. By using the information provided in this article, you agree to do so at your own risk.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers, and licensors shall not be liable to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to lost profits, savings, and revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract, or any other theory of liability, even if the possibility of such damages was known or foreseeable.
The images used in press releases and articles provided by 3rd party sources belong to the respective source provider and are used for illustrative purposes in accordance with the original press releases and publications.
Disclaimer: Content
While we strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date content, Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the correctness accuracy, completeness, adequacy, or reliability of the information or the results derived from its use, not that the content will meet your requirements or expectations. The content is provided “as is” and “as available”. You agree that your use of the content is at your own risk. Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. disclaims all warranties related to the content, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, and title, and is not liable for a particular purpose, non-infringement, and title, and is not liable for any interruptions. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties, so these jurisdictions may not apply to you. Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. Reserves the right to modify, interrupt, or discontinue the content without notice and is not liable for doing so.
Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. shall not be liable for any damages, including special, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages, or damages for lost profits, revenue, or use, arising out of or related to the content, whether in contract, negligence, tort, statute, equity, law, or otherwise, even if advised of such damages. Some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on liability for incidental or consequential damages, so this limitation may not apply to you. These disclaimers and limitations apply to Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. and its parent, affiliates, related companies, contractors, sponsors, and their respective directors, officers, members, employees, agents, content providers, licensors, and advisors.
The content and its compilation, created by Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd, are the property of Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. and cannot be reproduced without prior written permission.
