By aviation writer Scott Mayman

The perks of a Velocity frequent flyer membership included being able to book business-class award seats on Virgin’s partner airlines United or Singapore. But no more. 

The opportunity has seems to have disappeared without any reason.

It’s not the case that United’s business class if full. Many flights out of Australia are going to the US with empty seats.

Despite Virgin’s best effort to keep itself as a player on the world market, it seems other airlines now want to restrict the seat  availabilities to their own loyalty programs.

It’s not the fault of Virgin or Velocity. There’s no much the can do when United and Singapore refuse to release certain category reward seats.

In a recent review, other airlines with a code-share agreement are still working with Virgin and Velocity to offer international business class. Qatar, which returns to flights from Canberra in December,  is still working with business partner Virgin on such opportunities.