In a significant boost to air travel between India and Australia, Air India and Virgin Australia have announced a new codeshare partnership that enhances connectivity and streamlines travel for passengers between the two nations.
Under this unilateral codeshare agreement, Air India will place its ‘AI’ code on select Virgin Australia flights, allowing its customers to seamlessly connect from Delhi to Melbourne or Sydney and continue onward to 16 destinations across Australia and New Zealand. Travelers flying on a single ticket will also benefit from through-checked baggage for their entire journey, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
The 16 destinations covered under this partnership include Adelaide, Ballina/Byron Bay, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Queenstown (New Zealand), Sunshine Coast, and Sydney.
Virgin Australia’s Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Alistair Hartley, welcomed the collaboration, stating, “We are pleased to partner with Air India to make it easier for their customers to explore everything Australia has to offer. India is a growing tourism market for Australia, and this partnership will encourage travelers arriving on one of Air India’s 14 weekly flights to discover more of our wonderful country through seamless onward connections on the Virgin Australia network.”
Echoing this sentiment, Air India’s Chief Commercial Officer, Nipun Aggarwal, emphasized the importance of the Australian market for the airline. “Australia is one of Air India’s most important international markets, so it is incredibly exciting for us to be partnering with Virgin Australia to expand our presence in the region. This partnership not only enhances accessibility for the large Indian diaspora but also opens up exciting new destinations for leisure travelers, whether they wish to soak up the beaches of the Gold Coast, discover Tasmania, or explore the natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.”
Air India currently operates 14 non-stop weekly flights between India and Australia, with daily services from Delhi to Melbourne and Delhi to Sydney aboard Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. These flights feature 18 flat-bed seats in Business Class and 238 spacious Economy Class seats. Passengers connecting onto Virgin Australia flights will enjoy the airline’s world-class Business and Economy Class cabins, as well as its award-winning service.
Bookings for the codeshare flights will commence on February 11, 2025, with the first codeshare flights set to operate from February 18, 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.
