It is less than a month since launched its nonstop flight between Cairns and Tokyo, but already the airline is adding more benefits for passengers on the route. This week it announced it had extended its partnership with Japan's largest airline, All Nippon Airways, bringing customers a host of new options. Virgin Australia and (ANA) have announced they are expanding their partnership to include increased codeshare options and member loyalty benefits. Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer members can now earn Points and Status Credits when traveling on ANA operated flights across more than 130 destinations in ANA's network, including in Japan, Asia, North America and Europe. The VA partnership with ANA will unlock benefits across 12 domestic connections, including Sapporo, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Osaka-Itami, Kochi, Osaka-Kansai, Kumamoto, Nagoya, Nagasaki, Oita, Okinawa and Miyazaki. Another first is that customers can now book ANA-operated flights between Australia and
Japan on the Virgin Australia website. This flurry of activity follows the launch of the daily to Tokyo Haneda services, which began on June 28th. Yesterday flight VA77 departed Cairns Airport (CNS) at 13:17 and arrived at (HND) at 19:52, after a 7:35 hour flight. The flight was operated with a 2005 , registration VH-VBY and MSN 34323, which departed Haneda at 22:05 and landed back in Cairns at 06:18 this morning. Fleet data from Flightradar24.com lists nine 737-700s in Virgin Australia's (VA) fleet, along with 76 737-800s and one very new . and commenced operations on July 10th, and since then, it has been building up hours with around four interstate flights daily. At the launch, the advice was that the MAX 8 would start flying the Cairns - Tokyo route from the end of this month. VA expects to receive another seven of the new generation 737-8s by the first quarter of next year, with 25 of the larger planned to arrive from late 2024. To start, members will earn 20% bonus Points on eligible ANA operated flights between
Sydney and Tokyo if the Velocity member activates the offer by August 1st, 2023 and books and travels between July 18th and December 31st, 2023. Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Nick Rohrlach said the ANA partnership is a significant milestone as VA focuses on international growth through its world-leading airline partners. On Tuesday, he said: "Following the commencement of our inaugural Cairns to Tokyo (Haneda) service last month it is fantastic to be opening up more opportunities for our guests and members when travelling to and within Japan with the nation's largest airline. "We are laser focused on securing new ways for our members to earn points and we know that Japan is an
Australian favourite for holidaying and business travel. We'd love to see you on ! Silver, Gold and Platinum Velocity members traveling on an ANA operated flight with a VA flight number earn bonus on miles flown in addition to the base Points earned. Silver members earn 50%, Gold members earn 75%, and Platinum members earn 100% bonus points in addition to the base points earned, subject to eligibility conditions. Velocity Gold and Platinum members traveling on select ANA operated flights will receive benefits including priority check-in, priority baggage and additional checked baggage allowance, again subject to eligibility criteria. Source: