Virgin Atlantic has partnered with Korean Air on a codeshare agreement, the UK-based carrier announced on Friday.
The first phase launches on 25 March with flights between London Heathrow and Seoul Incheon. In May, the carriers will add connections to cities in Australia, New Zealand and Vietnam, and in June to Hong Kong and cities in Japan.
Earlier this month the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) cleared Korean Air’s acquisition of Asiana Airlines after the airline agreed to make slots available for Virgin Atlantic to operate between London and Seoul.
The £1.2 billion purchase of Asiana by Korean Air was first announced in November 2020 but the CMA had raised concerns that the merged airline would be the only operator on the London Heathrow-Incheon route.
In the same week as the CMA decision, Virgin joined SkyTeam, of which Korean Air is a founding member. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members will be able to use SkyPriority services at both Heathrow and Seoul Incheon, including priority check-in, baggage handling and boarding, as well as earn and redeem miles across Korean Air's network, according to Virgin.