Want more Virgin Australia and Etihad codeshare flights? The two airlines have delivered by expanding their agreement to cover more operations in Europe.
Virgin Australia has announced flights to Edinburgh, United Kingdom and Madrid, Spain will be added to its codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways.
Commencing today, the addition of Edinburgh and Madrid takes the number of Etihad-operated codeshare destinations that customers travelling on Virgin Australia’s network will be able to connect to from any Australian airport to 37.
Extended agreement will see the two sharing flight codes to Madrid.
The two airlines already codeshare on a number of European destinations, including Milan, Italy and Amsterdam, which were introduced to their agreement in June 2013.
The codeshare flights to Edinburgh and Madrid will connect through Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The flights between the two new destinations and Abu Dhabi will be operated by Airbus A330-200 aircraft with 22 business class seats and 240 economy seats.
As per the usual agreement, Velocity Frequent Flyers will be able to earn Velocity Points and Status Credits on all eligible sectors as well as enjoy applicable benefits such as lounge access where available and extra checked baggage allowances.
Etihad and Virgin Australia’s codeshare agreement first took off in December 2010.
The agreement was made around the same time Virgin entered a partnership with Air New Zealand.
The two airlines have been codesharing since 2010.
Since, Etihad and Virgin have introduced a number of codeshare operations, including a number around Australia and across the Tasman.
Currently, the two operate 70 flights per week between Australia and Abu Dhabi.
In addition to expanding its European reach, last month, Virgin Australia added new routes in Australia, including a new Adelaide-Springs-Darwin service and Sydney to Tamworth.