Emirates and V Australia announce code share agreement

Dubai-based airline, Emirates, and Virgin Blue Group’s new international airline, V Australia, have announced a code share partnership on the trans-Tasman route, effective 25th October 2009.

The code share agreement - Emirates’ first with an Australian carrier – signals yet another initiative in the airline’s commitment to Australia. It also confirms Emirates as V Australia’s first code share partner*.

The new agreement will provide V Australia guests seamless connections when travelling between New Zealand and the USA. Passengers can travel on the Trans-Tasman sector using Emirates’ award-winning service and connect conveniently to/from V Australia’s international service between Sydney and Los Angeles.

Emirates flights, EK419 arriving from Christchurch into Sydney at 6.20pm or EK 413 arriving from Auckland at 8.05pm connect seamlessly with V Australia’s Los Angeles service, VA1, at 9.05pm.

The return flights to New Zealand are equally convenient. Passengers touch down in Sydney at 6.05am on VA2 from Los Angeles, briefly stretch their legs before connecting on EK412 at 8.50am to Auckland or EK418 at 10.15am to Christchurch.

Travellers are able to enjoy a stopover in Sydney in either direction before continuing on their journey with Emirates or V Australia.

V Australia will market the seats allocated to it under the code share agreement. The code share flights will be identified with the Emirates ‘EK’ code as well as with V Australia’s ‘VA’ code.

Richard Jewsbury, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Far East and Australasia noted: “Emirates is prudent when it comes to choosing code share partners and our decision to join hands with V Australia is further demonstration of our commitment to the Australian aviation industry. We are pleased to finalise this agreement ahead of the peak summer travelling season, and expect the services to be extremely popular with leisure and business travellers seeking quick onward connections to/from V Australia’s international Sydney operations.”

Emirates offers a full-service, top-of-the-range product that aligns well with V Australia’s offering, and ensures a consistent high-quality experience on the entire New Zealand – USA journey”.

Guests travelling in V Australia’s International Business cabin transfer to Emirates’ exceptional and parallel product featured on the wide-bodied Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft comprising ergonomically designed seats, award-winning entertainment spanning over 600 channels, a wide selection of gourmet meals prepared by world-renowned chefs with matching wines, and a mood-lighting ambience to reduce jet lag. Business class passengers on Emirates’ A380 can enjoy the onboard lounge complete with bar service.

Brett Godfrey, Chief Executive, Virgin Blue said: “Emirates is a highly regarded, world-class carrier and we are delighted to confirm Emirates as V Australia’s first code share partner*. The two carriers are an ideal fit in that they share the same commitment to quality and service and we very much look forward to working further with Emirates.”

For New Zealand travellers, it provides a streamlined trans-Pacific travel option with fares that will be up to 40% less than the existing fares between New Zealand and the USA.

Emirates and the Virgin Blue Group already share a strong partnership via reciprocal benefits within the two airline’s frequent flyer programmes - Skywards and Velocity respectively. Emirates is also an interline partner of Virgin Blue.

While still in its infancy, V Australia’s trans-Pacific flights, its product, people and competitive fares are already proving highly popular, in particular with business travellers, music and movie industry executives and celebrities who are especially taken with V Australia’s unique Row 5 or “privacy suite” offering which provides travellers with discretion and privacy.

Brett added: “Core to our approach is working closely with reputable airline partners such as Emirates to ensure V Australia continues to grow in the Australian market.”

Currently, Emirates has code share agreements with Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Continental Airlines, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Korean Airlines, Oman Air, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, South African Airways and Thai Airways.

*Outside the Virgin Blue Group