Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways partner for accessible skies

Accessibility

Posted 5 days ago by David McManus

If you’re looking to take flight, it helps to know that the plane is designed to accommodate your needs.[Source: Shutterstock]

Physical Disability Australia (PDA) expressed wary optimism of the newly approved partnership, in the hope that many more passengers will feel accommodated and respected in the skies.

The approval of the Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways partnership by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on March 28, 2025, heralds a new chapter for Australian aviation.

With 28 additional weekly flights between Australia and Doha, the alliance promises lower airfares, increased competition and an estimated $3 billion in economic value over five years. Yet, as Physical Disability Australia (PDA) emphasised in their response, this expansion must not sideline passengers with physical disabilities.

This partnership presents a number of opportunities and challenges, emphasising the urgent need for accessibility in air travel.

A promising partnership with a catch

The Virgin Australia-Qatar Airways alliance is poised to reshape the aviation landscape. By leveraging Qatar Airways’ global network and Virgin’s domestic reach, the deal enhances connectivity and supports tourism.

However, PDA’s concerns highlight a critical oversight: accessibility for passengers with disabilities. Qatar Airways’ history of alleged discrimination, including denying travel to a 12-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, casts a shadow over the partnership.

Virgin Australia, known for stronger accessibility practices, must ensure its reputation remains intact.

The state of airline accessibility

Airline accessibility in Australia has long been inadequate, as evidenced by the 2023 Disability Royal Commission.

Testimonies revealed passengers with disabilities facing mishandling, abandonment or degrading treatment. The Commission called for a review of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and accessible transport standards, but progress is sluggish.

The 2024 Aviation White Paper’s 25-year timeline for accessibility improvements feels dismissive to those grappling with barriers now.

PDA’s question resonates: if aircraft can defy gravity, why not accommodate wheelchairs?

An opportunity for leadership

This partnership offers Virgin Australia a chance to set a global standard. As it resumes long-haul flights with Qatar Airways’ wet-leased aircraft, Virgin can champion accessibility innovations — like wheelchair-accessible cabins or secure mobility device storage. Virgin’s existing programs, such as Meet and Assist and Medical Travel Companions, show commitment, but these must extend to partnered operations.

Qatar Airways, meanwhile, must address its track record through staff training and policy reforms to align with Australia’s expectations.

Collaboration is key

Inclusion requires partnership — not just between airlines, but with disability advocates. Engaging organisations like PDA to co-design solutions ensures accessibility measures meet real needs.

Technology exists to allow passengers to remain in their wheelchairs during flights, yet it’s not mandatory.

Other transport sectors, like trains and buses, have embraced universal access — aviation should follow suit.

The International Air Services Commission (IASC), tasked with approving air rights, should prioritise accessibility commitments in its deliberations.

Equity as a non-negotiable

The economic benefits of this alliance are clear, but prosperity can’t exclude equity. The ACCC’s focus on competition must extend to ensuring all passengers benefit, regardless of ability.

The Australian Government should act swiftly on the Disability Royal Commission’s recommendations, mandating accessibility standards in aviation.

Air travel is a public good and no one should be left behind due to systemic oversights.

A call to action

Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways stand at a crossroads.

By prioritising accessibility, they can make the skies inclusive for all.

PDA’s advocacy reminds us that inclusion is not optional — it’s essential. Let’s demand accountability, innovation and a commitment to dignity for every passenger.

The promise of this partnership must extend beyond economics to ensure truly accessible skies.

Looking to take to the skies? Let the team at Talking Disability know what accessibility options would make your next flight even easier. At the bottom of this article, you can find some quick guides about travel and transport. Subscribe to the newsletter for more information, news and industry updates.

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