UK-based carrier Virgin Atlantic has announced plans to launch a dedicated corporate travel booking portal that can be used by travellers and travel managers.
Known as Virgin Atlantic for Business, a web-based platform will come online next week, when further details will also be revealed, while an “intuitive” self-service portal for travel managers and agents will be made available in autumn.
The carrier announced its plans to more than 400 agents and partners at its Insights conference on Thursday (2 March), and said the platform, which has “personalisation at its heart”, was formulated based on 18 months of research and feedback gathered from agents and customers.
Virgin Atlantic interim VP global sales, Rachel Wilton, said Virgin Atlantic for Business is “a best-in-class proposition that responds to the needs of agents, travel managers and their customers, with a truly personalised and bespoke experience at every touchpoint”.
“Listening to the feedback of our trade partners, who have provided unwavering support over recent years, we’re excited to offer a product which will help the new generation of business traveller fly on their own terms,” she added.
According to the carrier, the portal is centred around six pillars:
- Exceptional business traveller experience
- Business as a force for good
- Corporate recognition
- Rewarding loyalty
- Global connectivity
- Technology and service excellence
For travel managers, this will include increased self-serve capabilities, such as contract value reporting, sustainability reporting and managing waivers; a new ‘suite’ of tools for improved marketing support; and tailored content and communications, such as personalised newsletters and access to a live chat function.
The launch of Virgin Atlantic for Business coincides with the airline joining the SkyTeam alliance, where it is the group’s first and only UK-based carrier.