Virgin Australia to codeshare with Hainan Airlines

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A new codeshare deal on flights operating from Australia to mainland China has been announced between Virgin Australia and Hainan Airlines. The agreement aims to streamline travel between the two countries and offers travellers from China an expanded network of Virgin Australia domestic connections within Australia and across the trans-Tasman, including Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth and Auckland. Similarly, passengers travelling to China will have access to a schedule of weekly Hainan Airlines-operated services from Sydney to Xi’an, Changsha and Haikou; flights from Melbourne operating to Xi’an and Changsha; and services from Brisbane and Cairns operating to Shenzhen. © Virgin Australia Airlines Group Executive Rob Sharp with Hainan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Jeff Sun, flanked by cabin crew of both airlines. Other benefits of the deal include:

• Velocity Frequent Flyer members earn Velocity Points and Status Credits and Fortune Wings Club members to earn Points and Status Qualifying Points when flying with either airline under the codeshare.
• Guests will be able to book all flights, including connecting flights, under the one reservation with a single baggage drop where permitted.
• In addition to the codeshare, eligible guests under both frequent flyer programs will be afforded with additional customer benefits when travelling on all Hong Kong Airlines operated flights (excluding to and from North America), and on international services between Australia, New Zealand and Greater China on Tianjin Airlines and Capital Airlines.
• Eligible guests under both frequent flyer programs will receive priority check-in, priority boarding and additional baggage allowances on flights between and within Australia, New Zealand and Greater China. They will also have access to lounges operated by Virgin Australia, Hainan Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines.

Virgin Australia Airlines Group Executive, Rob Sharp, said that the partnership was an important step forward in the expansion of Virgin Australia’s offering into Greater China. Sharp said the pact with Hainan Airlines builds on the success of the Australian airline’s Hong Kong services. “As the fourth largest and biggest independent airline in the country, we are confident that Hainan Airlines is the best partner for us to expand into Greater China with,” he said. Chief Executive Officer for Hainan Airlines, Jeff Sun, also heralded the growth opportunities that the codeshare provides for both airlines. “These services will not only help to boost tourism in each country, but they will also provide guests with an exceptional travel experience for a great value,” he said. Flights under the codeshare partnership will go on sale on 21 June, 2018 for travel from 2 July onwards, subject to regulatory approval.

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