Virgin Australia brings back flights from Brisbane to Alice Springs, Emerald
3 min read
Virgin Australia is heading back to both Alice Springs and Emerald from Brisbane, restoring non-stop flights to both destinations, which had previously been paused.
Alice Springs will bounce back first, with two return flights per week from 3 November 2020, operated by Virgin Australia’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft, fitted with business class and economy.
Emerald follows from 23 November, with five weekly return flights operated by Alliance Airlines on behalf of Virgin Australia, in an economy-only layout aboard a Fokker 100 jet.
| Flight numbers | VA1023 (BNE-ASP), VA1026 (ASP-BNE) |
| Operating days | Tuesdays, Thursdays |
| Distance | 1,221 miles / 1,985 km |
| Flight reservations | Click here to book |
| Flight time | 3 hours 20 minutes (BNE-ASP) 3 hours even (ASP-BNE) |
| Aircraft | Boeing 737-800 |
| Seating capacity | 176 passengers (8 business class, 30 Economy X, 138 economy class) |
| Loyalty program | Velocity Frequent Flyer |
| Rewards earned (one-way) | 5 Velocity points per $1 spent, plus: 10 status credits on Getaway fares 20 status credits on Elevate and Group fates 30 status credits on Freedom fares 60 status credits on Business Saver fares 70 status credits on Business fares |
| Reward cost (one-way) | 17,800 Velocity points + taxes, fees and charges (economy) 35,500 Velocity points + taxes, fees and charges (business class) |
| Business class upgrade cost (one-way) | From Getaway and Elevate fares: 30,000 Velocity Points From Freedom fares: 9,900 Velocity Points |
| Flight numbers | VA1255/1263 (BNE-EMD), VA1256/1264 (EMD-BNE) |
| Operating days | Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays |
| Distance | 406 miles / 653 km |
| Flight reservations | Click here to book |
| Flight time | 1 hour 35 minutes (BNE-EMD) 1 hour 25 minutes (EMD-BNE) |
| Aircraft | Fokker 100 |
| Seating capacity | 100 passengers |
| Rewards earned (one-way) | 5 Velocity points per $1 spent, plus: 7 status credits on Getaway fares 15 status credits on Elevate and Group fates 25 status credits on Freedom fares |
| Reward cost (one-way) | 7,800 Velocity points + taxes, fees and charges (economy) |
“The expansion of our network to include Emerald (once again) and an additional route into Alice Springs recognises our long-standing commitment to regional Australia,” said John MacLeod, Virgin Australia Group Chief Commercial Officer.
The routes “will deliver choice and convenience for those communities and businesses.”
Virgin Australia had previously announced plans to exit from eight regional routes including Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory and Cloncurry in Queensland, and shortly after, also confirmed that Alliance Airlines would terminate flights between Brisbane and Bundaberg, as were operated on behalf of Virgin Australia.
All Virgin Australia airport lounges currently remain closed, with the airline’s lounge in Alice Springs said to have been closed permanently.
Earlier news: Virgin Australia departs from eight regional routes
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