Virgin Australia Inaugurates Melbourne-Doha Daily; Qatar Airways Restores

Virgin Australia initiated daily direct services from Melbourne to Doha, Qatar, on December 1, marking a significant expansion of its long-haul operations. This new route follows the airline's re-entry into long-haul flying in June 2025 with Sydney-Doha flights. Operating in partnership with Qatar Airways, these services allow Australian travelers from Melbourne and Sydney to connect seamlessly in Doha to destinations across Europe and the Middle East, utilizing Qatar Airways aircraft under a lease agreement.

Concurrently, Qatar Airways recommenced daily flights from Canberra on December 2, restoring a critical international link for the Australian capital. The Boeing 777 service connects Canberra to over 170 global destinations, though flights operate via Melbourne. Passengers on these routes will benefit from amenities such as business class Qsuites and complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi.

Virgin Australia CEO Dave Emerson highlighted the Melbourne-Doha service as a pivotal moment, emphasizing the partnership's role in offering competitive airfares and generating new economic opportunities for Australian tourism, trade, and employment. Canberra Airport CEO Stephen Byron lauded Qatar Airways' return as a "game-changer," restoring vital connectivity for the ACT and southern New South Wales regions and opening new avenues for business and tourism. Corporate Traveller also noted the increased flexibility for business travelers on European and Middle Eastern routes due to multiple daily departure times.