Virgin Australia has marked another major milestone in its comeback from administration when on June 12, 2025, the airline returned to long-haul international flying with the launch of its inaugural Sydney to Doha service. The new daily service will connect Australian travellers to more than 170 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa via Doha Hamad International Airport’s global network and operates in conjunction with Virgin Australia’s equity partner, Qatar Airways.
This launch represents the commencement of a significant evolution of Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways’ partnership, with more flights to Doha set to follow those from Sydney. Brisbane (BNE) to Doha flights will commence on June 19, 2025, those from Perth (PER) on June 26, 2025, and Melbourne (MEL) services to follow in December 2025. The flights are effectively using shared traffic rights between Australia and Qatar, agreed by the respective governments.
According to Virgin Australia, by December 2025, the alliance will grow the capacity of flights from Australia to Doha to 2.65 million seats a year, which will increase competitiveness in the market and will “provide ample choice for Aussie travellers wanting to visit Europe, Africa and the Middle East.”
All flights operated by Virgin Australia between Australia and Doha will be operated by Qatar Airways’ fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs, which accommodate 354 passengers in a two-class configuration featuring 42 lie-flat business class suites and 312 economy class seats. Complimentary high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi is available onboard for all passengers through their entire journey.
The first flight, operated by Boeing 777 A7-BET and using flight number VA1, departed from Sydney International Airport SYD) at 15:08 on June 12, 2025, and landed in Doha at 22:12 local time the same day. The 7,687-mile (12,300 km) route took 14 hours and four minutes to complete on the inaugural flight.
“The new service is 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,” said Virgin Australia. “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.”
Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer, Dave Emerson, said the inaugural Australia-Doha flights represent a pivotal moment for the airline and Australian travellers.
“Today marks the beginning of a new era for Virgin Australia and for international travel from Australia,” he said. “Through our partnership with Qatar Airways, we’re not just launching a new route, we’re opening the world to millions of Australians, delivering more choice, better value, and a seamless global experience. This partnership strengthens Australia’s global connectivity while generating jobs, boosting tourism, and injecting billions into the national economy.”
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer added, “We are delighted to welcome Virgin Australia’s inaugural Sydney to Doha service to our award-winning Hamad International Airport as the first of four exciting new routes scheduled for 2025. This milestone moment in the partnership between our two airlines is the culmination of many months of meticulous planning and tireless dedication of our respective teams, as well as a testament to our shared ambition to deliver increased competition, world-class service and value to Australian passengers.”
