Etihad Airways has announced it will end its codeshare and frequent flyer partnership with Virgin Australia, effective June 1, 2025. As a result, Etihad customers will no longer be able to book Virgin Australia flights or earn miles on them. However, passengers with existing bookings on Virgin Australia-operated segments will not be affected, and their itineraries will remain unchanged.
Etihad, in a statement, mentioned that the decision was driven by differences in the strategic directions of the two airlines. Despite ending the partnership, Etihad reaffirmed its commitment to Australia, with plans to increase flights to Sydney and Melbourne in the summer of 2025.
The termination of the partnership coincides with significant changes in the Australian aviation market. Qatar Airways Group recently acquired a 25% stake in Virgin Australia from Bain Capital, and the new partnership will introduce long-haul services between Australia and Doha.
As Etihad shifts its strategy and Qatar Airways invests in Virgin Australia, the Australian aviation landscape is set for changes. For now, Etihad passengers will need to explore alternative routes as the airline focuses on expanding its services to Australia.
