Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia has provided more clarity on the next phase of its narrowbody upgrade programme, with these new details emerging against the backdrop of a tightening in domestic capacity due to the latest industry crisis. The carrier's fleet plan includes the delivery of its remaining 737-8s and then the much-delayed introduction of its Boeing 737-10 orders. Despite a slight retreat due to the Iran conflict and related fuel price spikes, Virgin Australia has boosted its narrowbody fleet to higher levels than before the pandemic. However, the growth trend has been gradual rather than dramatic, as the carrier has taken a very careful and cautious approach since its restructuring. This is also reflected in its reluctance to expand further internationally (aside from its foray into widebody wet leasing). The carrier is even more heavily focused on its domestic narrowbody operation than it was before its COVID-19 era restructuring, as it now has a much more limited international presence.

The latest developments in the Qatar Airways - Virgin Australia partnership point to a relationship that remains strategically important, but has just been stress-tested by external disruption. Latest developments: Virgin Australia's Qatar-operated Australia-Doha services were suspended in early Apr-2026 until at least mid Jun-2026 due to the security situation in the Middle East. Virgin Australia later said the Doha operation, run via a wet lease with Qatar Airways, minimised balance sheet and earnings risk, and was therefore not financially material to the group during the suspension. The partnership has since moved back into recovery mode, with Virgin Australia's Melbourne-Doha service resuming on 15-Jun-2026, operated by Qatar Airways. Separately, Qatar Airways Group stated in its FY2026 highlights that it had launched a JV with Virgin Australia, signalling that the relationship is broadening beyond a simple codeshare or wet-lease arrangement.

The airline has 10 Boeing 737 Max 10s on order. Virgin Australia has outlined the delivery timeline for its Boeing 737 Max 10, as the type inches closer to certification this year. The Australian operator says it expects to receive the first of 10 737 Max 10 jets in late 2027, becoming the airline’s largest… The post Virgin Australia counts down to delivery of first 737 Max 10 first appeared on FlightGlobal.

Virgin Australia is retaining its guidance for the fiscal year ending June 2026, saying it has “largely mitigated” the impact of higher fuel costs through hedging, increased airfares and capacity cuts. The Australian carrier says it still expects underlying EBIT and EBIT margin over the second half of its financial year to be higher than…