Hawaiian expands codeshare with Virgin Australia

Hawaiian Airlines has expanded its codeshare agreement with Virgin Australia to offer travelers in more than a dozen Australasian cities easier access to its popular home market. The enhanced partnership builds on popular codeshare flights operated by Hawaiian between Sydney and Honolulu and extends benefits such as one-stop check-in and baggage transfers. Both airlines will offer members of their loyalty programs the opportunity to earn and redeem points or miles for travel on either carrier. This allows HawaiianMiles members to earn miles on eligible classes of Virgin Australia-operated flights, while Velocity Frequent Flyer members can earn points and status credits on eligible classes of Hawaiian-operated flights. READ: Hawaiian still the one when it comes to on-time arrivals The US carrier says the deal will provide greater access to the Hawaiian Islands for travelers originating in regions beyond its Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland gateways. Passengers traveling from Australian cities such as Melbourne, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay will be able to travel to Brisbane and Sydney on Virgin-operated codeshare flights from April 3. Starting April 10, Virgin Australia guests will also be able to book non-stop codeshare flights operated by Hawaiian from Brisbane to Honolulu for travel from April 17. This is in addition to existing codeshare flights between Sydney and Honolulu as well as Maui, Kauai, and Kona (on the Island of Hawaii). New Zealanders in cities such as Christchurch, Wellington, Dunedin and Queenstown will also be able to travel across the Tasman on Hawaiian codeshare flights operated by Virgin Australia. “Hawaii is a hugely popular destination with Australians and New Zealanders and we are excited to extend our reach and provide a seamless travel experience to the Hawaiian Islands,” said Andrew Stanbury, Hawaiian Airlines’ regional director in Australia and New Zealand. Virgin Australia general manager of alliances Phil Squires said the codeshare expansion would mean passengers of both airlines would now enjoy more opportunities to travel between destinations in Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii.