Sri Lankan Airlines has recently embarked on a groundbreaking interline partnership with Virgin Australia, marking a significant milestone in its quest to enhance connectivity and services for passengers traveling between Sri Lanka and Australia. The primary objective of this partnership is to fortify the airline’s presence in the Australian market, offering passengers a more convenient and seamless travel experience.
What happens after the partnership : Streamlined Connectivity
Under this partnership, passengers can now seamlessly add select Virgin Australia domestic or international connections to their Sri Lankan Airlines bookings, all while managing their entire multi-airline itinerary under a single ticket.
Sri Lankan Airlines offers daily flights from Colombo to Melbourne and thrice-weekly flights to Sydney. This new partnership enables passengers to connect to multiple Australian cities (Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Hamilton Island, Launceston, Gold Coast, Perth) through Virgin Australia. Additionally, travelers can extend their journey to destinations such as New Zealand, Samoa, and Fiji.
This collaboration also comes as great news for the Sri Lankan and Indian diaspora living in the aforementioned Australian cities, as they can now embark on their journeys to Sri Lanka or India with a single booking through Sri Lankan Airlines. Notably, passengers can enjoy a hassle-free experience with a single check-in process, including baggage, at the departure airport, effectively eliminating transit check-in queues.
Furthermore, this partnership is expected to boost Australian leisure travel to Sri Lanka, catering to an important customer group for Sri Lankan Airlines. It will also provide seamless connections for passengers flying to Australia via Colombo from countries such as the Maldives, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

A Message for the Audience
Sri Lankan Airlines Head of Worldwide Sales and Distribution, Dimuthu Tennakoon, emphasizes the significance of this partnership. With one of the largest Sri Lankan diasporas residing in Australia, the airline’s Australian routes have consistently been a popular choice for travelers, especially those visiting friends and family or pursuing higher education. The partnership aims to enhance connectivity and provide a host of benefits for valued customers, underscoring Sri Lankan Airlines’ commitment to its Australian clientele.
Benefits of Sri Lankan Airlines’ Global Brand Integration for the Nation
From a marketing perspective, this interline partnership between Sri Lankan Airlines and Virgin Australia is a strategic move that can yield several benefits:
- Enhanced Connectivity: The partnership opens up a wide range of Australian destinations for Sri Lankan Airlines passengers, making it an attractive choice for travelers seeking comprehensive connectivity.
- Convenience: Offering a single-ticket, single-check-in experience reduces travel hassles and provides a smoother journey for passengers, which can be a compelling selling point.
- Targeting Diaspora: Recognizing the significant Sri Lankan and Indian diaspora in Australia, this partnership offers a tailored solution for these communities, strengthening customer loyalty.
- Competitive Edge: This move may give Sri Lankan Airlines a competitive edge in the Australian market by providing a more extensive network and a broader range of services.
- Brand Association: Virgin, the global brand which has a great popularity and brand equity, joining hands with Sri Lankan Airlines brings the same brand association to our national carrier. In fact, SL Airlines gets the opportunity to use the brand identities of Virgin across SL Airlines’ channels and gain the same brand association. This will enhance the customer brand equity of Sri Lankan Airlines.

Conclusion
Since Sri Lankan Airlines resumed flights to Melbourne in 2017 and Sydney in 2020, nearly a million passengers have chosen the airline for their journey to Australia. With this game-changing partnership with Virgin Australia, Sri Lankan Airlines is poised to take its service to new heights in the land down under.
In conclusion, this groundbreaking interline partnership between Sri Lankan Airlines and Virgin Australia marks a significant milestone in the airline industry. It not only enhances travel options for passengers but also strengthens Sri Lankan Airlines’ position in the Australian market. With a seamless travel experience and expanded connectivity, travelers can look forward to a brighter future of flying in and out of Australia.
Visit for more information: https://www.srilankan.com/en_uk/corporate/news-details/515
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