Virgin Atlantic has joined the SkyTeam airline alliance as the group’s first and only UK-based carrier, after announcing the news last autumn.
The move will enhance the alliance’s transatlantic network, adding services to and from Heathrow and Manchester airports, while Virgin Atlantic passengers will now have access to more than 1,000 destinations around the world, as well as 750-plus airport lounges.
Virgin Atlantic CEO, Shai Weiss, said its entry into the alliance marks “an important milestone” in improving the carrier’s loyalty proposition “through a global network of maximised reward opportunities, alongside enhanced services on the ground and in the skies”.
SkyTeam CEO and managing director, Patrick Roux, added: “The UK 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.”
Joining SkyTeam means Virgin Atlantic passengers will also have “more opportunities” to earn and redeem loyalty points across the alliance’s members. Silver Card holders will be recognised as SkyTeam Elite Members, while the airline’s Gold Card members will become Elite Plus. Both 'Elite' membership tiers include services such as priority check in and extra baggage allowance.
Virgin Atlantic already has interline agreements with all 18 current SkyTeam member airlines, as well as an existing transatlantic partnership with Delta and Air France-KLM and codeshares with carriers such as Aeromexico and Middle East Airlines.
The carrier now flies to 12 destinations across the US, including newly launched services to Austin and Tampa.