Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia have announced an alliance agreement that will see them codeshare on each other’s networks, offer reciprocal frequent flyer program benefits, and coordinate flight schedules between Singapore and Australia.
From August 1, the two airlines will interlines on each other’s networks, giving their passengers access to 70 international destinations on Singapore’s network and a total of 30 destinations through Virgin Australia’s Australia-Pacific network. Full codesharing and other arrangements will be put in place later in the year pending ACCC approval. Various “sales, marketing and distribution activities” will also be coordinated between the two carriers.
“Asia is clearly a critical market for us as we build our international alliance network,” Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti said. “Singapore Airlines’ extensive network throughout Asia will be particularly attractive to our international business and leisure travellers and this partnership, along with our other alliances, will mean Virgin Australia can now offer truly global flight coverage. With the recent re-positioning of our brand and the launch of our product enhancements, including domestic business class, Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines are ideally suited as airline partners.”
Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong agreed, saying that the proposed agreement with Virgin would “provide the public with access to an enlarged network, offering a first rate, integrated travel experience”.
