Virgin Australia travellers to Hong Kong and Los Angeles will now have the option to continue to London with Virgin Atlantic under a codeshare partnership between the two Branson-backed airlines.

Those flights on Virgin Atlantic will also see passengers pick up Velocity frequent flyer points and status credits, and enjoy perks such as Clubhouse lounge access at London and LAX if they hold Velocity Gold or Platinum status.

However, lounge options at Hong Kong before you head to London or Los Angeles are limited to business class passengers, who can access the airport's Plaza Premium Lounge.

There's nothing for Velocity Gold and Platinum members – which is another instance where an American Express Platinum Charge Card, Business Platinum Card or Corporate Platinum Card issued directly by AMEX will come in handy, because it opens the doors at Hong Kong's excellent Centurion Lounge.

Shai Weiss, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, says the codeshare arrangement "will streamline the travel experience by providing a single check-in and baggage drop for the entire journey."

Virgin Atlantic currently has a daily service from Hong Kong to London and up to three daily services from Los Angeles, all flying its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with 'Upper Class' business class and an inflight bar.

What's it like to fly Virgin Atlantic business class from Hong Kong to London? Read our review

The Hong Kong-London connection is expected to prove especially popular on the back of Virgin Australia's Melbourne-Hong Kong and, starting July 2, Sydney-Hong Kong flights.

AusBT reader contest: Win a business class trip to Hong Kong with Virgin Australia

There'll be quite a stopover on the Virgin-branded Kangaroo Route, with Virgin Australia's flights to Hong Kong arriving 5.40pm from Sydney and, under a revised schedule, at 8.10am from Melbourne – while Virgin Atlantic's flight VS207 is wheels-up from Hong Kong at almost midnight.

However, there are far worse places in the world to have such a long transit break, with this vibrant city barely a half-hour away on the fast Airport Express rail service.