Etihad Airways

You will need to check in with the airline operating your flight.
Note: The operating airline will be noted on your itinarary. You can also check the operating airline by viewing your booking online.

Information screens at airports will also display flight information for Virgin Australia and Etihad Airways flights and provide guidance on where to check in.

Velocity Platinum members and Guests travelling in Business Class receive complimentary entry into Etihad Pearl Business Class lounges worldwide*.

Velocity Gold members receive complimentary access to the Al Reem Lounge in Abu Dhabi and Etihad Pearl lounges in all other locations*.

Etihad Guest Gold and Gold Elite members receive complimentary entry into the Virgin Australia lounge network*.

* On the same day of travel only.

Virgin Australia and Etihad both offer an extensive array of in-flight services.

To see what food and drinks, entertainment and comfort services are available, log onto Virgin Australia or Etihad.

Velocity members can earn and redeem Velocity Points and earn Status Credits when travelling on eligible Etihad services.

For a full list of benefits when flying with Etihad, visit Velocity’s benefits-at-a-glance.

Etihad Guest members can earn and redeem points when travelling on eligible Virgin Australia services.

The following information is for guests arriving into Australia on an Etihad flight, and connecting onto a Virgin Australia flight.

Arriving into Sydney with a Domestic Connection

You are required to collect your bags from the carousel and clear Customs and Quarantine. Turn left immediately after Quarantine (before entering the Arrivals Hall) and enter the Seamless Transfer Lounge. If you are booked on formal codeshare flights (one ticket for the entire journey) check in for your domestic flight at a Virgin Australia check-in counter. Here you will receive a bus pass, to use to transfer to the Domestic Terminal.

Arriving into Brisbane with a Domestic Connection

You are required to collect your bags from the carousel and clear Customs and Quarantine. After entering the Arrivals Hall, turn right and walk to the Domestic Transfer Desk. If you are booked on formal codeshare flights (one ticket for the entire journey) check in for your domestic flight at a Virgin Australia check-in counter. Here you will receive an Air Train pass, to use to transfer to the Domestic Terminal. Upon arriving at the Domestic Terminal, make your way to your departure gate.

Arriving into Melbourne with a Domestic Connection

You are required to collect your bags from the carousel and clear Customs and Quarantine. After entering the Arrivals Hall, turn right and make your way upstairs to the first floor. Check in for your domestic flight at a Virgin Australia check-in counter. Note: Melbourne’s International and Domestic terminals are connected.

The following information is for guests who have an Australian domestic departure (check-in), and need to connect through another domestic port onto an international Etihad flight.

Domestic Check-in Connecting through Sydney

When you check in at an Australian domestic port, your bags will be checked through to your final destination. You will receive a transfer wallet, which contains a map of the transfer port and a bus pass to use in Sydney. Upon arriving in Sydney, make your way to the transfer lounge at Gate 37. You will then be shown downstairs to the transfer bus – which will take you to the International Terminal. Upon arriving at the International Terminal please proceed to the check in counters for Etihad Airways to receive a boarding pass for your international flights.

Domestic Check-in Connecting through Brisbane

When you check in at an Australian domestic port, your bags will be checked through to your final destination. You will receive a transfer wallet, which contains a map of the transfer port and an Air Train pass to use in Brisbane. Upon arriving in Brisbane, proceed outside to the Air Train which will take you to the international terminal. Upon arriving at the International Terminal please proceed to the check in counters for Etihad Airways to receive a boarding pass for your international flights.

Domestic Check-in Connecting through Melbourne

When you check in at an Australian domestic port, your bags will be checked through to your final destination. You will receive a transfer wallet, which contains a map of the transfer port. Upon arriving in Melbourne, make your way to the Etihad Airways check in counter located at the international departures area. Here you will receive a boarding pass for your international flight. Note: Melbourne’s Domestic and International terminals are connected.

* This free transfer service is available to guests who have booked a formal connecting journey. If you have purchased two separate tickets, you will be required to collect your baggage and check in for your next flight at the transfer port.

We offer coach services for Virgin Australia guests between Abu Dhabi International Airport and two other cities within the UAE, Dubai and Al Ain. The express luxury coaches are operated by our partner Etihad. Guests traveling on Virgin Australia and Etihad services to/from Abu Dhabi are eligible to book space on these coach services.

The luxury coaches are designed to offer quality service and comfort with elegant interiors, ergonomically-designed seats, excellent climate-control systems, a DVD player and two 14-inch monitors. Mineral water, refresher wipes and mints are offered on board the coaches.

This service can be booked through your travel agent or by calling our Call Centre. Bookings made less than 24 hours of guest’s flight departure cannot be confirmed and will be subject to space availability on the day of operation.

Find out more about Etihad Express Coach routes.

Baggage allowances for Virgin Australia (VA) and Etihad (EY) Codeshare flights.

Guests travelling between Australia and Abu Dhabi on a flight operated by Virgin Australia are entitled to Virgin Australia’s baggage allowances for the entire journey, regardless of whether their flight number starts with VA or EY.

Guests travelling between Australia and Abu Dhabi on a flight operated by Etihad Airways are entitled to Etihad’s baggage allowances for the entire journey, regardless of whether their flight number starts with VA or EY.

Note: Applies to journeys booked on a single ticket. Baggage allowances may differ for separate bookings or separate tickets.

^{* This does not include infants or sporting equipment.}

For more information relating our Codeshare partnership, please contact:

• Virgin Australia
• Etihad Airways