Qantas Airways Ltd has announced on Thursday that its frequent flyer program membership has breached the seven million ceiling, as about 1.7 million members are expected to get on board by the end of 2011.

The carrier's program chief executive Simon Hickey told AAP that membership grew by 32 percent since frequent flyer's re-launched in July 2008, asserting that the program is poised to recruit a total of eight million flyers by end of next year as more Australians take advantage of benefits offered by Qantas frequent flyer.

Mr Hickey attributed the frequent flyer success with Woolworths Ltd rewards program as the airline forged a partnership with the retail giant in amassing additional 2.5 million members who availed reward points through daily shopping.

He said that the company's frequent flyer program earned for Qantas an estimated $157 million in the first half of 2009-2010, which is 100 percent higher ($73 million) than the profit earned from a preceding period.

In related airline industry news, the AAP has reported that the 11,000-strong consumer group CHOICE has voted Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd as Australia's top domestic carrier in two consecutive years and gaining the highest ratings for its service, comfort and entertainment.

The report listed the other awardees as regional carrier Rex which came in second place, while Qantas and its subsidiary Jetstar securing third and fourth places respectively, with the Singapore-based Tiger Airways clinching the last spot.