Virgin Atlantic joins SkyTeam alliance
On March 2, Virgin Atlantic officially joined SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, in a signing ceremony held in London. The move makes Virgin Atlantic the first and only UK member airline of SkyTeam, enhancing the alliance's transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester airports.
Virgin Atlantic customers will now enjoy a seamless and consistent experience across 1,000 global destinations in over 170 countries, as they can book every SkyTeam member flight on a single ticket, checking in with baggage just once through to their final destination.
Flying Club members will have more opportunities to earn Virgin Points and Tier Points across all member airlines, accelerating both their rewards and tier status. Additionally, Flying Club members can now redeem their hard-earned points on SkyTeam member airlines, which 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.
The airline's Flying Club members will receive a host of benefits that will enhance their journeys across the SkyTeam network. Virgin Atlantic Silver Card holders will be recognized as SkyTeam Elite Members, while the airline's Gold Card members have become Elite Plus. SkyTeam Elite Plus, First, and Business Class customers will enjoy SkyPriority services, including priority check-in, baggage handling, and boarding, and Elite and Elite Plus members will receive extra baggage allowance.
SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling on Virgin Atlantic, Delta, or Aeromexico will have access to Virgin Atlantic's renowned Clubhouse at London Heathrow, while other SkyTeam Elite Plus members can use their airline-designated lounge at Terminal 3. Elite Plus members will also enjoy a network of 750 worldwide airport lounges to choose from.
Virgin Atlantic's entry into the alliance builds upon the success of its transatlantic joint venture with Delta and Air France-KLM, each of which are already long-established SkyTeam members. Virgin Atlantic is co-located at London Heathrow's Terminal 3, alongside Delta and existing SkyTeam members Aeromexico and China Eastern, providing customers with smooth airside transits and the most convenient connection times possible.
According to Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, the alliance's customer-first ethos aligns with their own, and their entry into the alliance marks an important milestone in achieving their vision of becoming the most-loved travel company. The SkyTeam membership offers Flying Club members a global network of maximized reward opportunities, along with enhanced services on the ground and in the skies.
