The new codeshare partnership between Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways has officially launched, providing customers greater access to Nairobi and East Africa. Flying Club loyalty members now have full earn and redemption opportunities with Kenya Airways.
On Tuesday (March 19, 2024), Virgin Atlantic announced the official start of their new codeshare partnership with Kenya Airways, which will provide customers greater access to Nairobi and beyond into East Africa. With the launch of the first phase, customers booking through Virgin Atlantic can now directly purchase flights on Kenya Airways’ Heathrow to Nairobi service. Likewise, Kenya Airways customers will soon be able to connect via London Heathrow to a number of Virgin Atlantic’s popular Caribbean destinations, including Barbados, The Bahamas, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Commercial Officer, Juha Jarvinen, said,
“We’re delighted to launch our partnership with Kenya Airways. As a fellow member of the SkyTeam alliance, we know our customers will enjoy a seamless travel experience, with more opportunities to earn and spend their miles with increased benefits for our SkyPriority members. We’re committed to enhancing connectivity and as the only UK airline to codeshare on the Heathrow to Nairobi route, we’ll be providing more choice and flexibility for customers booking with Virgin Atlantic.”
Also commenting on the codeshare launch, Kenya Airways’ Chief Commercial and Customer officer, Julius Thairu, added,
“We are excited to embark on this transformative partnership with Virgin Atlantic. By leveraging our complementary strengths and networks, we aim to enrich the travel experience for our valued customers, offering them greater choice, convenience and connectivity to key destinations in the world.”
Kenya Airways is a fellow member of the SkyTeam alliance and one of the leading carriers in Africa. With the launch of the codeshare partnership, Virgin Atlantic’s Gold and Silver Flying Club members, along with Kenya Airways’ Asante Rewards Platinum and Gold members, can now enjoy SkyPriority services at London Heathrow and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, such as priority check-in, baggage handling and boarding. Since January 2024, visitors to Kenya from outside Africa, including the UK, only require an online authorization, rather than a full visa.
Founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, Virgin Atlantic has brought innovation and the highest level of customer care to the airline industry. The carrier was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX in 2023 for the seventh consecutive year. Headquartered in London, Virgin Atlantic employs over 7,500 team members worldwide. The airline currently serves 30 destinations across four continents. Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading network between the US and UK, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. Virgin Atlantic is a member of the global SkyTeam alliance. In October 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed the first of 16 Airbus A330-900neos, continuing their fleet transformation to 100 percent next generation aircraft by 2027.
Source(s): Virgin Atlantic/Kenya Airways