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Virgin will become SkyTeam’s first and only UK-based member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network with services to and from Heathrow (LHR) and Manchester Airport (MAN).
Virgin Atlantic customers will benefit from a seamless customer experience to more than 1,000 global destinations, have more opportunities to earn and redeem points across member airlines, and will gain access to a network of over 750 airport lounges.
Virgin Atlantic Silver Card holders will be recognised as SkyTeam Elite Members, whilst the airline’s Gold Card members will become Elite Plus.
Virgin Atlantic B787-9 reg: G-VYUM. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com
“Joining SkyTeam is an important milestone,” said Shai Weiss, CEO Virgin Atlantic. “Our membership will allow us to enhance established relationships with our valued partners at Delta and Air France-KLM, as well as opening up opportunities to collaborate with new airlines. It will enable a seamless customer experience, with an expanded network and maximised loyalty benefits.”
Virgin Atlantic’s entry into the alliance builds upon the success of its transatlantic joint venture partnership with Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, each already long established SkyTeam members.
The four partners are co-located at London Heathrow’s Terminal Three, alongside existing SkyTeam members Aeromexico and China Eastern, providing customers with smooth airside transits.
Virgin flies to 12 destinations throughout the USA in partnership with Delta and Air France-KLM including New York, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. In May the airline launched a brand-new service to Austin, Texas and will start daily flights to Tampa, Florida from November.
The carrier also operates an extensive Caribbean portfolio including Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica and Bahamas; as well as services to Greater China, India, Israel, Nigeria, Pakistan and South Africa.
Walter Cho, SkyTeam Chairman, said, “Virgin Atlantic is synonymous with innovation and excellent service, an iconic British airline with a global outlook that puts customers at the heart of its operations – like SkyTeam and its members – and we are delighted to welcome them into our alliance.”
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