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Virgin Australia And Air Canada Strengthen Relationship

Virgin Australia (VA) has deepened its partnership with North American carrier Air Canada (AC), as reported by Business Insider. The two airlines have maintained a strategic partnership since 2017. However, they have recently taken the plunge to offer seamless travel itineraries on one ticket.
This now means a traveler could check in once at Perth, travel via Brisbane (on VA), and continue to Vancouver and Toronto (on AC), all on the convenience of one ticket.
Discover more aviation news for Australia and Oceania here.
500 more destinations under its belt
The move sees Virgin Australia add 500 destinations to its global network through its partners. Enhancing the passenger journey lets travelers earn and redeem Velocity points on Air Canada services.
The Australian carrier already partners with various airlines, including Qatar Airways, Etihad, Hawaiian, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Hainan Airlines. It is poised to join forces with Japanese airline, All Nippon Airways (NH), complementing its soon-to-commence Cairns (CNS) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) service—the world’s 4th longest Boeing 737 MAX route.
Photo: Virgin Australia
Since Virgin Australia severely reduced its international offering during the pandemic and was bailed out by Bain Capital, the carrier has remained precautious on its international network. Such an example is the absence of its once vast trans-Tasman network, which used to operate to five destinations in New Zealand (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Queenstown). However, it remains at one (Queenstown)—a thorn in the backside of those holding a VA credit post-pandemic.
Expanding Air Canada’s presence in Oceania
Air Canada has bounced back from COVID-19 in Australia and New Zealand, now operating multiple flights between Auckland (AKL), Brisbane (BNE), and Sydney (SYD), however unfortunately, Melbournians miss out on the resumption of their once direct Vancouver service.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
With United Airlines also seeming to double down in the region, the Star Alliance trio (Air Canada, United, and Air New Zealand) look to dominate the AU/NZ to Canada market. Air New Zealand has operated direct flights between Auckland and Vancouver for some time, with Air Canada more recently joining the market with a seasonal service.
Other competitors, such as Fiji Airways, are also looking to capture a slice of the market since taking off on its inaugural Nadi Vancouver service on November 25th last year.
Get all the latest aviation news for North America here.
Ramping up Australian services
Just in time for the Northern Hemisphere ski season, Air Canada will also look to capitalize on the eager Australian market, increasing its current once-daily Sydney service to 10 weekly between December 2023 and January 2024.
Brisbane will also cash in on extra seats, with the current Boeing 787 Dreamliner being upgraded to the larger 777, offering premium travelers more capacity in both Premium and business class. First launched with only four flights per week, the new route quickly became popular, adopting a daily service in June.
Photo: Brisbane Airport
Premium passengers can access Air Canada’s alliance partner Air New Zealand lounges at both Brisbane and Sydney airports, compared to enjoying a bite to eat in Air Canada’s Signature Suite Lounge at Vancouver International Airport on the return flight.
Sources: Business Traveller, Executive Traveller

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