Qatar Airways targets more Australian flights by June 2025

Also widely expected that QR will be launching a swathe of non-Doha routes out of Australia with VA wetleases.

SYD-JNB rumoured to be the first (Qr plane and crew) given that VA are ditching the SAA partnership. It makes sense, given that it would be unappealing for Aussies to go to Doha for transit to South Africa.

Wont be going anywhere near Qatar if they use 777's out of Sydney for the extra flight. Not sitting on that 14 hours only to arrive jetlagged, dehydrated and deafened. Those ultra long haul routes need to be carried out by next gen aircraft such as the A350 and B787. Of course the A380 is unsurpassed on those routes.

I need to be booking flights now to capture the associated accommodation etc or I'll be paying a higher price, and those airline tickets have to compete with Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Imagine a couple of larger planes other than 737's working some routes?

When would the flights be available to book if June 2025 is given the ok?

I wonder if flights on Singapore Airlines to Turkish airports on the Eastern side of the Bosphorus (e.g. SAW, AYT and ESB) will qualify as being within 'Asia')?  

Need to know whether the VA flights with QR tags would still give QF SCs and points!

It doesn't make sense that both Sydney and Brisbane will both be double daily, whilst MEL is 3x daily, given Sydney is much larger than BNE. What would make sense would BNE be 2x daily 77W, whilst SYD would go 2x daily A388. This could work as Qatar is pulling the A388 from Paris at the end of March, freeing up an A388. MEL would likely be 3x daily 77W.

Other than highlight the worst behaviors in Qantas Qatar do have a lot to answer for.

The Good - Modern Aircraft, Q Suites (on some flights) in business class, Great Airport and lounges in Doha. Sometimes (not always) good service. Gourmet dining in business class. Flight frequency.

The Bad - The worst customer call centers ever and no call center in Australia. Over pricing, Qatar have done nothing to help the Australian travelling public with their high prices and price gouging which is keeping industry prices high across the board. Constant last minute change of aircraft, you think you are flying in a Q Suite cabin and at the last minute the aircraft is downgraded to an old slopy sleeper. It's almost impossible to book business class when making an award booking even a year in advance. Way too much cheap labor from the Indian sub continent, if I wanted to fly Air Indian I would book Air India. Often awful lounges at ports away from Doha not living up to expectations.

Of course Qantas won't oppose becoming the only option for domestic connections to flights to/from Europe (for all international carriers except QR).

I really hope they fly the A350-1000s here, Australians deserve it.

Whilst obviously this alliance is still a W-I-P until the ACCC gives its blessing and splashes the 'Holy Water' on the deal, one of the first things I'll need to see is exactly how a hitherto loyal VFF member with, say, a million VFF points, can secure reward flight seats on QR with minimal fuss and bother.  (Mike, Jayne and Nick - if those words "fuss and bother" aren't familiar to you in context of loyalty programs, get help - quickly).

When it comes to securing reward seats on QR metal, will we book via the Virgin portal using VFF points, or are we better off converting VFF points into QR currency (Avios or Qcredits?) and booking via the QR portal (as is presently the easier way to secure preferred flights in SQ metal).  I suspect VA will need to choose between having this outcome dominated by its bean counters, or whether someone at Southbank takes a broader view to exploit the current vulnerability of its primary competitor.  To merely rely upon a comparable or superior inflight experience (i.e. QR plane and cabin staff) is no use if the pax don't get into the seats to see it for themselves.