- Virgin Australia continues to expand its international long-haul network with the launch of its first daily Melbourne–Doha service today ahead of the busy Christmas travel period.
- Virgin Australia, in partnership with Qatar Airways, will now operate four services to the Middle Eastern capital each day from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, which is expected to inject more than $3 billion into the Australian economy.
- Additional research commissioned by Melbourne Airport has found the new international service is expected to inject more than $190 million in economic value to Victoria each year*.
- Exporters will also benefit from an additional 108 tonnes of cargo capacity each week, strengthening export pathways for Australian producers.
- Virgin Australia is offering a sale, with up to 15 per cent off eligible Economy fares between Australia and Doha, and onwards to Europe on Qatar Airways-operated flights, on selected travel dates, until 4 December 2025^.
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Monday 1 December 2025: Following Virgin Australia’s return to long-haul international flying in June this year, the airline will today mark a major new milestone with the launch of its inaugural Melbourne-Doha service ahead of the Christmas travel rush.
The new route unlocks seamless one-stop access to more than 170 global destinations via Doha through Qatar Airways’ network, and is expected to inject more than $190 million into Victoria’s economy each year by bringing in more visitors and supporting the export of local products.
With Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways now operating daily services between Australia and Doha from most major Australian capital cities, annual capacity on these routes has grown 53 per cent to 2.65 million seats. The increased connectivity not only boosts economic activity (expecting to inject more than $3 billion nationally) and market competitiveness, but gives Australian travellers more choice and value when flying to Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer members are also set to benefit, with the ability to earn and redeem Points on the new service#. Velocity boasts a global network of more than 600 destinations through Virgin Australia and the airline’s international partner carriers, including Qatar Airways.
The launch comes as Virgin Australia prepares to fly millions of guests across the Christmas period.
Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer, Dave Emerson, said the inaugural Melbourne-Doha service represents a pivotal moment for Virgin Australia and for Australian travellers.
“Our new Melbourne–Doha service is a major milestone for Virgin Australia and for the millions of Australians who want more choice and value when travelling internationally,” said Mr Emerson.
“Together with Qatar Airways, we’re able to offer competitive airfares between Australia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, while creating new economic opportunities that will benefit tourism, trade and Australian jobs.
“Virgin Australia continues to go from strength to strength and with the expansion of our international network to include four daily services between Australia and Doha, we are set to have one of our busiest summers on record.
“It’s a proud moment to see so many people travelling with Virgin Australia to visit their friends
and family and reconnect with loved ones this holiday season.”
Speaking of the benefits for Velocity Frequent Flyer members, Mr Emerson said: “For Velocity members, the addition of the new Melbourne-Doha service means members can earn and redeem Points, while building on our access to more than 600 destinations around the world.”
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said:
“Qatar Airways is proud to mark an important milestone with Virgin Australia as we welcome the inaugural Melbourne–Doha service to our award-winning Hamad International Airport - the final new route in our 2025 expansion. This launch reflects months of hard work from both teams and our shared commitment to giving Australians greater choice, better value and world-class premium service.”
“Importantly, this partnership delivers benefits well beyond passenger travel. With Virgin Australia using Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777s on the route, we can now offer additional cargo capacity between Melbourne and Doha. This represents a significant boost for Australian exporters, strengthening the nation’s ability to reach global markets quickly and reliably. We’re proud to support local businesses and play a role in driving Australia’s economic growth.”
Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Officer, Lorie Argus said the return of Virgin Australia’s long-haul flights is a win for both travellers and exporters.
“Melbourne is now the only Australian city to enjoy triple-daily flights to Doha, bringing travellers more choice and easier access to destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas,” she said.
“While this announcement is great news for travellers, the belly of the plane is equally as important for freight. Melbourne Airport handles more than 40 per cent of the nation’s airfreight exports and these additional services will unlock more capacity for local exporters to reach more markets across the globe."
Doha airfare sale
Virgin Australia is offering up to 15 per cent off fares to the Middle East and Europe for selected travel dates between 27 January 2026 and 16 June 2026. The sale ends at 11:59pm AEST 4 December 2025, unless sold out prior^.
For bookings and more information, visit virginaustralia.com.
ENDS
NOTE TO EDITORS
*Source: Melbourne Airport Economic and Social Impact Report 2025, in partnership with ConnellGriffin. Prepared October 2025. connellgriffin.com/projects/melbourne-airport-economic-and-social-impact-analysis-vic
Benefits of Virgin Australia Flight to Doha for passengers
Passengers onboard the new Melbourne-Doha flights will travel on Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 aircraft, featuring:
- Qsuite Business Class – named World’s Best Business Class in Skytrax’s World Airline Awards 2024, offering private suites, lie-flat beds, and the option for couples to create a double bed in the sky2
- Spacious Economy Cabins with one of the widest seats in the industry and renowned inflight service.
- Complimentary high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi available onboard for all passengers through the entire journey.
Economic Impact
The new services are expected to generate more than $3 billion in economic activity within Australia over the next five years, fuelled by an anticipated surge in international visitors and increased tourism spending. The launch is also expected to create hundreds of new jobs in aviation, hospitality and tourism-related sectors across the country. For Virgin Australia employees, this also creates secondment opportunities for Pilots and Cabin Crew to broaden their skills and gain international flying experience within Qatar Airways’ world-class global network.
In addition to Qatar Airways’ existing freight capacity on the route, Virgin Australia’s new services between Melbourne and Doha will offer an additional 108 tonnes of cargo capacity each week on the return service, helping to drive Australia’s economic growth and bolster export capacity.
About Virgin Australia
Founded in the Year 2000, Virgin Australia is now one of the largest Australian airlines operating an extensive domestic network as well as short-haul international services, charter and cargo operations. The Group employs more than 8,000 people and has been a competitor in the Australian aviation landscape for 25 years. Virgin Australia is incredibly focused on providing wonderful travel experiences through award-winning service, optionality to fly the way you want to, and value with competitive airfare pricing. Three seating choices are offered when flying with Virgin Australia; Business Class, Economy X (extra leg room Economy) and Economy.
About Qatar Airways
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways won the ‘World’s Best Airline’ for the unprecedented eighth time at the 2024 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. Qatar Airways has been the World’s Best Airline in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024. The airline continues to be synonymous with excellence, also taking home, ‘World's Best Business Class’, ‘World's Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’. As a leader in industry innovation and digital adoption, Qatar Airways was also recently voted the 'World’s Best Airline Website' by World Travel Tech Awards. Qatar Airways currently flies to over 170 destinations worldwide.
About Velocity Frequent Flyer
Velocity Frequent Flyer, Virgin Australia’s loyalty program, gives their members the opportunity to use their Points to redeem flights to over 600 destinations around the world through Virgin Australia and the airline’s extensive list of international partner carriers, including Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines and more. The program is also partnered with Flybuys (Coles, Coles Express, Bunnings and more), Myer, DiDi and more, giving members more choice than ever before when earning and redeeming Points.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
^Sale fares
Fares on sale from 12:01am AEST 24 November 2025 to 11:59pm AEST 4 December 2025, unless sold out prior. For travel on selected dates between 27 January 2026 to 24 March 2026 and 24 April 2026 to 16 June 2026 (inclusive) for return Economy Choice fares. Blackout periods apply. Sale fares are for return Economy Choice fares booked on www.virginaustralia.com, on flights operated by Qatar Airways, from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra and Adelaide, to selected European destinations via Doha. Sale destinations include London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Athens, Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Zurich, Vienna, Frankfurt, Oslo and Copenhagen. Discount applies to base fares only and excludes surcharges. Seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Return fares may vary with the addition of local taxes and charges or due to currency fluctuations. Payment surcharge, seasonal and weekend surcharges may apply. Fare inclusions (like different baggage allowances) and change and cancellation fare rules will be different depending on the airline operating your flight. See Virgin Australia’s fares pages for information about fees and charges you may incur when you change or cancel your fare operated by a partner airline. You may also request a refund for other reasons, including under the Australian Consumer Law. Check your fare rules for more information. Full T&Cs at www.virginaustralia.com.
#Status Eligibility
From 1 October 2025, Eligible Sectors will no longer be required to upgrade or maintain your Status level. To be eligible to upgrade into Silver, Gold, and Platinum Status, members must have the required number of Status Credits in their Status Credit balance earned during the previous 365 days, with at least 50% of the Status Credits in their balance earned on Virgin Australia marketed and/or Virgin Australia operated flights flown by the member. To be eligible to maintain Silver, Gold, and Platinum Status, members must have the required Status Credits in their Status Credit balance earned during their Benefit Period, with at least 50% of the Status Credits in their balance earned on Virgin Australia marketed and/or Virgin Australia operated flights flown by the member. To be eligible to upgrade into Platinum Plus Status, members must have a total of 2,000 Status Credits in their Status Credit balance earned during the previous 365 days, with at least 1,500 Status Credits in their balance earned on Virgin Australia marketed and/or Virgin Australia operated flights flown by the member. To be eligible for Forever Gold Status, Velocity members must have a total of 12,000 Status Credits in their Status Credit balance calculated from 1 February 2013 onwards, with at least 9,000 Status Credits in their balance earned on Virgin Australia marketed and/or Virgin Australia operated flights flown by the member. Status Credits earned through Partner Airline marketed and operated flights, Family Pooling (as a beneficiary), Flybuys, eligible Velocity Points earning credit cards or with any other partners will not count towards the minimum balance of Status Credits required to be earned on Virgin Australia marketed and/or Virgin Australia operated flights flown by the member. Status Credits transferred to a beneficiary through Family Pooling are not earned by the contributor and do not form part of the contributor’s Status Credit balance. For more information on how many Status Credits are required, click here. Your Status Credit balance is calculated daily based on the previous 365 days. Your Status Credit balance may fluctuate daily as new Status Credits are earned, and older Status Credits reach the end of their validity period. Your Forever Gold Status Credit balance is calculated separately and includes all Status Credits earned from 1 February 2013 onwards. To view your balances, visit My Velocity. Status Credits cannot be earned on all fare types. Status Credits can only be earned on eligible flights, marketed, and operated by Virgin Australia and/or a Velocity airline partner. Status Credits accrual is based on single flight segments that consist of individual flight numbers. An itinerary that involves a change in aircraft but retains the same flight number is considered a single flight segment. An itinerary that consists of a change in flight numbers, even if the same aircraft is used for the entire itinerary, is considered two flight segments. Domestic flights booked within an international journey will accrue Status Credits at the earn level for international flights. Members travelling on upgraded fares purchased with Points or any other subsidised means of upgrades on Virgin Australia or our partner airlines will earn Status Credits based on the original purchased fare type.
