Virgin Australia now has formal approval for an alliance between itself and Singapore Airlines Ltd.

What does this mean for us passengers?

Velocity Platinum and Gold members (thats me!) receive complimentary entry on day of travel into Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer Gold Lounges at Changi Airport, Singapore when travelling Economy Class with Singapore Airlines. Travelling Business or First class means access to the much nicer SilverKris lounge (Yeah in this case the Gold lounge is far inferior to the Silver. Normally Gold trumps silver, I thought). The good news is that outside of Singapore, Platinum and Gold members will have entry to the SilverKris Lounges worldwide. On the Singapore side, KrisFlyer Elite Gold and PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club members and  guest receive entry to Virgin Australia’s lounges.

We can earn frequent flyer points and status credits at the same rate as with Etihad and Air New Zealand. Virgin’s Velocity rewards points can be redeemed with Singapore. Alas, no ability to use points for upgrades on Singapore.

Virgin Australia also has links with Air New Zealand, Delta and Etihad. With these linkages, Virgin have announced they expect their share of international passnegers into and out of Australia to reach 30percent. This is higher than Qantas/One World share.

I wonder how close we are to a Virgin move into Star Alliance. If that happened, it would mean a rethink of the Delta airlines relationship but they would have access to United (ugh) instead. My next thought is when will Etihad go for Star Alliance? I am most sad that Virgin/Etihad didn’t buy BMI in the UK. That would have been an interesting game changer and allowed BMI frequent fliers to stay in Star Alliance.  If Etihad went to Star Alliance would Emirates try for One World and Qatar for Skyteam?

 

(image from Virgin Australia blog)