Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia Join Hands

Days are not far when those who fly frequently with either Singapore Airlines or Virgin Australia will see a trail of benefits coming their way. The two carriers have signed a codeshare agreement! The agreement takes effect from 1st August 2011 after it gets approved by relevant authorities.

Codeshare agreements are common amongst airlines that seek to have a better penetration across the distant destinations or aim to tap the untapped market. However the players involved here may cause few competitors in the region some lack of sleep! Who doesn’t know about Qantas-Virgin rivalry!

It is certain that the passengers will reap the benefits from this alliance. Even those frequent flyers who might have dismissed these airlines in the past for not selling cheap flight tickets may not mind heading to their booking counter, given the host of benefits and comforts available now!

If not cheap flights, the passengers benefit from the following:

Reciprocal Frequent Flyer Programmes – The frequent flyers members of Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer can earn and redeem the miles flown on Virgin Australia. Similarly, members of Velocity, Virgin Australia loyalty program, can earn and cash-in the miles flown on Singapore Airlines operated flights.

Reciprocal Lounge Access – Both the airlines’ airport lounges will be accessible by the passengers of either airline!

One Ticket Many Destinations – The joining of the networks of two airlines has added 70 destination to the route map of Virgin Australia while Singapore Airline’s passengers can now travel to added 30 destinations on one ticket.

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