6 July 2017

Virgin Australia’s award-winning loyalty program, Velocity Frequent Flyer, and Fortune Wings Club, one of the most recognisable frequent flyer programs in Asia are today announcing a reciprocal frequent flyer agreement giving members the opportunity to earn and redeem points and be recognised across the airlines’ flight networks.

As part of the first phase of this agreement, from today, Velocity members will be able to earn Velocity Points and Status Credits on selected services operated by four Fortune Wings Club participating airlines – Hong Kong Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Capital Airlines, and Tianjin Airlines.

Together with Virgin Australia, these airlines operate over 75 weekly flights from Hong Kong and 13 destinations in mainland China to Australia and New Zealand.

This announcement follows Virgin Australia’s inaugural flight from Melbourne to Hong Kong yesterday where passengers were greeted by a 32-metre-long Chinese dragon and treated to Chinese delicacies including egg custard tarts, and were taught Cantonese on board by Virgin Founder Sir Richard Branson.

Velocity members can earn Velocity Points and Status Credits on the following services:

• All Hong Kong Airlines operated flights (excluding services to and from North America)

• All Hainan Airlines, Capital Airlines and Tianjin Airlines operated flights between Australia, New Zealand and Greater China as well as all domestic flights within those regions.

The second phase of the agreement will be announced in coming weeks and will provide Velocity Frequent Flyer members with further benefits through these airline partners including lounge access, priority check in, priority boarding, and additional baggage. Velocity members will also be able to use their Velocity Points to purchase Reward Seats on Hong Kong Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Capital Airlines and Tianjin Airlines.

Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO, Karl Schuster said: “Today’s announcement is an exciting expansion of our current Velocity Frequent Flyer network and we’re delighted to provide more than 8 million Velocity members with even more reasons to travel with us and our partner airlines.”

“We’re thrilled that our Velocity members can now earn Velocity Points and Status Credits when they travel with Hong Kong Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Capital Airlines, and Tianjin Airlines.

“Rewarding our Velocity members is a key part of our program and we’re continually looking at ways to expand the benefits and offers provided to our valuable members,” said Mr Schuster.

Hainan Airlines President, Jianfeng Sun said: "Virgin Australia is an important strategic partner of HNA group. Fortune Wings Club and Velocity have begun a cooperative effort in their frequent flyer programs, which will not only expand points earning but the upcoming redemption channels and reciprocal elite members’ benefits will also create a perfect flight experience for members.”

This frequent flyer agreement further strengthens the proposed strategic alliance between Virgin Australia and Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express and HNA Aviation.

More information can be found at velocityfrequentflyer.com or http://ffp.hnair.com/FFPClub/en/index.html.

*Subject to government and regulatory approval