Qantas, Virgin are United in competition after US airlines’ expansion

United Airlines will expand its presence in Australia this year following a code-share agreement with Virgin Australia, which could shake up the Australian aviation market and result in lower airfares. United will operate 66 flights between the US, Australia and New Zealand weekly when all its flights come online. It’s good news for Aussie flyers, with business travellers and holidaymakers likely to benefit from increased competition and potentially cheaper fares. “We, as consumers, can virtually choose whether we want to fly on either one … we will see a change in the long-haul market to our advantage,” said Professor Doug Drury, head of aviation at Central Queensland University. “Qantas will have to match or beat the United tickets, and United is going to come in here and offer some really fantastic pricing. This is why competition is good for our industry, and especially consumers in Australia.” The code-sharing agreement would allow United Airlines and Virgin Australia to fly each other’s passengers and promote each other’s routes, increasing the frequency and capacity of flights to and from the US, Professor Drury said. The agreement would “open up the global market for Virgin” and give United access to all of Australia, and Virgin’s routes. “This collaboration comes at a crucial time for Virgin, which currently lacks long-haul capabilities after selling off its [Boeing] 777 aircraft,” he said.<br/>