Virgin Atlantic officially joined the SkyTeam Alliance on Thursday, March 2, 2023, which will enhance the alliance’s offer at both London Heathrow and Manchester Airports. Virgin Atlantic and Flying Club Gold and Silver members will now enjoy a range of new benefits.
On Thursday (March 2, 2023), Virgin Atlantic announced that they have now officially become the newest member of the global SkyTeam alliance, enhancing the alliance’s offer at London Heathrow (LHR) and Manchester (MAN) airports. Customers will now benefit from more opportunities to earn and redeem points, along with access to an extensive global network with over 1,000 destinations across 170 countries and territories. Additionally, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Silver members will also receive a range of benefits, including SkyPriority airport services for Gold members.
In Thursday’s announcement, Virgin Atlantic’s CEO, Shai Weiss, said,
“SkyTeam shares a customer first ethos that mirrors our own and our entry into the alliance today marks an important milestone in achieving our vision to become the most-loved travel company. We want to reward those who choose to fly with Virgin Atlantic and our Flying Club members deserve the very best loyalty proposition. Our SkyTeam membership offers this through a global network of maximised reward opportunities, alongside enhanced services on the ground and in the skies.”
Also commenting on Virgin Atlantic’s new membership, SkyTeam’s CEO and Managing Director, Patrick Roux, said,
“We are delighted to welcome Virgin Atlantic into SkyTeam, taking an already close relationship to new heights and elevating our customer offering with more routes to exciting destinations and access to aspirational airport lounges - not to mention the airline’s world-famous flair. The U.K. is a key market for SkyTeam and with Virgin Atlantic on board, customers can look forward to more opportunities to earn and redeem miles as they fly, enjoying the iconic travel experience that makes our newest member a globally loved airline.”
Flying Club members will now have more opportunities to earn Virgin Points and Tier Points across all member airlines, and also redeem points on SkyTeam member airlines. Along with joint venture partners Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, members include Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, China Airlines, China Eastern*, Czech Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, ITA Airways, Kenya Airways, Korean Air, MEA, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines and XiamenAir. Redemption for travel with ITA Airways will be available later this year.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members will also receive a host of other new benefits, enhancing their travels across the SkyTeam network. Virgin Atlantic Silver Card members will now be recognized as SkyTeam Elite Members, while Gold Card members have become Elite Plus Members. Additionally, SkyTeam Elite Plus, First and Business Class customers can enjoy SkyPriority services, including priority check-in, baggage handling and boarding, while Elite and Elite Plus members will also enjoy extra baggage allowance.
SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling with Virgin Atlantic, Delta or Aeromexico will also have access to Virgin Atlantic’s renowned Clubhouse lounge at London Heathrow, and other SkyTeam Elite Plus members can take advantage of their airline-designated lounge at LHR Terminal 3. Additionally, Elite Plus members will now enjoy access to a network of 750 airport lounges worldwide. Codeshare agreements are already in place with Air France-KLM, Delta, Aeromexico and Middle East Airlines (MEA), with more to follow later this year. Interline agreements with all SkyTeam member airlines are already in place, providing a one touch point for all customers, for seamless travel on a single ticket.
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 2022 for the sixth consecutive year. Headquartered in London, Virgin Atlantic employs over 7,500 team members worldwide. The airline currently serves 28 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 joined the global SkyTeam alliance on March 2, 2023, becoming the alliance’s first and only UK member airline.
SkyTeam is committed to powering a seamless customer journey, with all members working together to connect millions of passengers across an extensive worldwide network. Current members include Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Garuda Indonesia, ITA Airways, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and XiamenAir.
Source(s): Virgin Atlantic, SkyTeam