Virgin Atlantic to Join SkyTeam Alliance

Virgin Atlantic Airways - Airbus A350-1041 (G-VEVE) - Simon Willson - AirTeamImages.com

Virgin Atlantic and SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, announced today that the British airline will join as SkyTeam's newest member in early 2023. According to sources, Virgin Atlantic will be SkyTeam’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from London Heathrow and Manchester Airport.

"Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members will enjoy significant benefits from day one, with a global expanse of the loyalty offering. Virgin Atlantic Silver Card holders will be recognised as SkyTeam Elite Members, and Gold Card members will become Elite Plus. This comes with loads of benefits, including priority check-in, baggage handling, and boarding." - Says the airline in an official statement.

The carrier's entry into the alliance builds on the success of its transatlantic partnership with Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, each long-established SkyTeam member. Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, commented: “At Virgin Atlantic, we strive to create thoughtful experiences that feel different for our customers, and SkyTeam shares that customer-first ethos. 2022 marks the year Virgin Atlantic gets back to its best for our customers and people, and joining SkyTeam is an important milestone. Our membership will allow us to enhance established relationships with our valued partners at Delta and Air France-KLM, as well as opening up opportunities to collaborate with new airlines. It will enable a seamless customer experience, with an expanded network and maximised loyalty benefits.”

Virgin Atlantic Airways fleet tracked via RadarBox.com 

Kristin Colvile, SkyTeam CEO, commented: “Virgin Atlantic shares SkyTeam’s values, caring for our customers, our employees, and the world in which they live, and we are excited to have them as part of the SkyTeam family. As a member of SkyTeam, Virgin Atlantic will benefit from increased opportunities to expand its global network through partnerships and synergies, while giving customers more opportunities to earn miles and enjoy the service Virgin Atlantic is known for.”

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