Inside Virgin's big international comeback and the seat everyone wants
Updated July 21 2025 - 4:53pm, first published 4:48pm
Qsuite seats can be configured to make a double bed. Picture supplied
From: Sydney to Doha
Frequency: Once daily
Duration: 15 hours
Class: Business (Qsuite)
Price: From $8000 return
Explore more: virginaustralia.com.au
There's a fair bit of fanfare in the air. Enthusiastic CEO Dave Emerson and his executive team are onboard to mark Virgin Australia's inaugural Sydney to Doha service, the airline's long-awaited return (since 2020) to long-haul international flying, thanks to a partnership with Qatar Airways. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
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Virgin is wet-leasing Qatar's Boeing 777s - meaning the aircraft, crew and service are Qatar's. And while there are fewer Virgin notes than I expected - apparently, there may be more to come - this is a win for Velocity members. Qatar Airways is regularly crowned airline of the year, and is the current champion.
As the lucky passenger in 1A, here's how it stacks up.
CHECKING IN: Virgin Australia doesn't offer online check-in for international flights, but who really cares when you need to arrive three hours before departure anyway?
Business class passengers get a generous 40kg checked baggage allowance and up to 15kg of carry-on across two bags.
I glide through the Virgin Priority queue, fast-track security and passport control, and land in the Air New Zealand lounge - Virgin's partner in Sydney. Bright, airy and well-run, with plenty of space, friendly staff and a constant flow of hors d'oeuvres, it's a civilised start.
The writer and minty welcome drink in her Qsuite.
THE FLIGHT: Interestingly, my seat - 1A - faces backwards, which takes some getting used to during takeoff and landing. This quirky layout in a 1-2-1 configuration allows for meetings with up to four passengers in facing suites, or double beds for couples.
After sliding the door shut and settling into my private cubicle, I dial into a work call, then videocall my dad back in country NSW. (As a former air traffic controller, I think he will get a kick out of the seven-mile-high call - he thinks it's "ridiculous" and because I'm trying to talk quietly, reckons he can't hear a word I'm saying.)
At midnight, I ask for my flat bed to be turned down. The turbulence is consistent for the next few hours but I'm too excited to sleep anyway; besides, we arrive at 10pm so I'm saving my shut-eye for the hotel.
THE CLASS: Qsuite is Qatar Airways' flagship business class product (there is no first class on this flight) and delivers a first-class experience: fully enclosed private suites, adjustable mood lighting, a la carte dining, Diptyque toiletries in a chic pouch and heaps of storage, including an esky-like box by my seat. It feels less seat, more chic little bedroom. The 15-hour flight is over too soon.
Only on VA1: Ross Lusted's osso buco. Picture supplied
FOOD AND DRINKS: On boarding, I'm welcomed with dates and cardamom-spiced Arabic coffee and a lime and mint drink - both of which I could happily make a habit of.
One of the standout features is on-demand dining: order whatever you want, whenever you want, and eat, sleep and chill on your own schedule.
Dishes designed by Australian chef Ross Lusted exclusively for this route (seared cured fish, osso buco and Basque cheesecake) sit alongside more Qatari fare including a mezze with pita bread and fresh berries with rosewater syrup. Breakfast is a smoked salmon hollandaise muffin and some very fresh granola - all the nuts on this flight are so good.
For snacking, there are a couple of standouts: steak sandwich with caramelised onion and Swiss cheese and scones with butter and jam (and how on earth do they get those warm scones so perfect on a plane?)
Every meal is served with white linen, quality cutlery and - a beautiful touch - a tiny flickering (battery-powered) candle.
I barely touch the wine list (which includes a standout Chateau Margaux 2015) because I'm hooked on the many mocktails.
ENTERTAINMENT: So many shows (I manage to binge an entire Reacher series), delivered on a huge HD screen with an easy-to-navigate interface and handheld remote. The impeccable Wi-Fi via Starlink is so good that there are announcements reminding passengers to keep the noise down and use headphones.
THE SERVICE: More efficient Qatar professionalism than warm Virgin friendliness, but cocooned in your suite, it almost feels like you have the entire cabin to yourself.
IN A NUTSHELL: Luxe Qsuite privacy, excellent food and phenomenal Wi-Fi - plus the Velocity points - makes this one flight I'll be embracing in the future.
Have you flown VA1 yet? What did you think? Which airline would you like us to review next? Let us know at editor@exploretravel.com.au
Virgin Australia's inaugural Sydney to Doha flight, VA1, is waved off by Virgin cabin crew. Picture supplied
Words by Kate Cox Kate is head of travel for ACM. She loves discovering new places and has visited all seven continents, including a year-long lap of Australia with her young family.My all-time favourite destination is ... Sri Lanka. It was two decades ago, but I still haven't forgotten the smells, sights, sounds and tastes, plus the wonderful people, of that diverse country. Closer to home, the coastal town of Yamba never fails to please.Next on my bucket list is …The Galapagos or Greenland - both evocative countries that will expand the mind!
My top travel tip is … Get lost! Take the unexpected path - you never know what you'll find.
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