Virgin Australia to restart Sydney-Canberra services under a new exclusive agreement

Virgin Australia will relaunch services between Sydney and Canberra from 30 January 2022, using Link Airways aircraft and crew. 

The services will operate 53 times per week, with up to 9 flights per day on weekdays, adding up to 16,250 seats between the two cities each month. 

Fares can be purchased from today at virginaustralia.com 

All Virgin Australia fares include Velocity Frequent Flyer Points and up to double Status Credits^ as part of an ongoing loyalty promotion. 

Passengers can change or cancel to travel credit with no fees for all domestic travel up to 30 April 2022*. 

Australia: Virgin Australia will resume flights between Sydney and Canberra from 30 January 2022, with more than 50 services available between the two capital cities each week, under an exclusive agreement with Link Airways.  

The services, which were first paused in April 2020 at the height of the pandemic, will be operated using Link Airways’ Saab 340 B Plus aircraft and crew, with up to 9 flights per weekday available to be booked now at virginaustralia.com. 

The resumption of Virgin Australia Sydney-Canberra services will be welcome news for corporate, leisure, and government sector customers who will now have more choice and flexibility when travelling to and from Capital Hill. 

Virgin Australia customers travelling on short flights with Link Airways will receive complimentary tea, coffee and water.  

The agreement with Link Airways will extend the Virgin Australia domestic network reach into markets like Sydney-Canberra that its’ own 737-800 aircraft cannot serve effectively.  As the airline quickly ramps up capacity across domestic and short-haul international services it will continue to evaluate new destinations and opportunities to connect Australia.  Since September, Virgin Australia has launched 15 new services, some of which have never been operated in the airline’s 21-year history, as the revitalised business takes flight under new ownership. 

Today’s announcement comes as Virgin Australia welcomes back customers to its Canberra Lounge, which boasts a new and improved menu, along with excellent Australian wine and craft beer options. Eligible customers travelling on Virgin Australia flights with Link Airways will continue to have access to Virgin Australia lounges when they fly. 

Statement from Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka:  

“Canberra is a very important destination for Virgin Australia and we’re excited to re-launch a Sydney-Canberra service,” said Ms Hrdlicka. 

“The service will provide more than 16,000 seats each month between the two cities, which is welcome news for our corporate and leisure customers and particularly those in the government sector who regularly travel to and from Sydney. 

“Services will operate nine times per day on weekdays, providing even more choice and flexibility for Virgin Australia customers. We’ll also continue to offer some of the best value fares in the market which are now available to be booked via our website. 

“Eligible customers travelling on the services will continue to have access to the Virgin Australia Canberra Lounge which is ready to welcome back loyal members to experience our award-winning service and fantastic new menu. 

“Virgin Australia is always looking for new ways to connect Australians and today’s announcement is a really great example of how we are working strategically to benefit our customers. Our Sydney-Canberra services are the 15th new service we have added to our domestic network since September, and we are looking forward to launching many more next year,” she said.