Well, it has taken long enough, but Virgin Atlantic has finally joined the SkyTeam alliance.
Congratulations! It’s an alliance membership!
The move makes Virgin Atlantic the first UK airline with SkyTeam membership, opening up the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester airports.
For passengers, Virgin Atlantic customers will now benefit from a consistent, seamless customer experience, across 1,000 global destinations in over 170 countries. Customers can conveniently book every SkyTeam member flight on a single ticket, checking in with baggage just once through to their final destination.
Loyalty Matters
As usual, loyalty when joining an alliance is important. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members 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 will be able to redeem points on SkyTeam member airlines.
Alongside joint venture partners Delta & Air France-KLM, these include Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, China Airlines, Czech Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, Korean Air, MEA, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines and XiamenAir. They will also be able to redeem on China Eastern and ITA Airways later in the year
The airline’s Flying Club members will receive benefits which will enhance their journeys across the SkyTeam network. Virgin Atlantic Silver Card holders are recognised as SkyTeam Elite Members, whilst the airline’s Gold Card members have become Elite Plus. SkyTeam Elite Plus, First and Business Class customers enjoy SkyPriority services including priority check-in, baggage handling and boarding. Extra baggage allowance is offered to both Elite and Elite Plus members.
SkyTeam Elite Plus members travelling on Virgin Atlantic, Delta in certain travel classes or Aeromexico will have access to Virgin Atlantic’s renowned Clubhouse at London Heathrow, whilst other SkyTeam Elite Plus members can take advantage of their airline-designated lounge at Terminal 3. Elite Plus members will also enjoy a network of 750 worldwide airport lounges to choose from.
Connectivity at Heathrow
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.
In Quotes
Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, commented
“SkyTeam shares a customer first ethos that mirrors our own and our entry into the alliance today marks an important milestone in achieving our vision to become the most-loved travel company.
“We want to reward those who choose to fly with Virgin Atlantic and our Flying Club members deserve the very best loyalty proposition. Our SkyTeam membership offers this through a global network of maximised reward opportunities, alongside enhanced services on the ground and in the skies.”
Patrick Roux, SkyTeam CEO and Managing Director, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Virgin Atlantic into SkyTeam, taking an already close relationship to new heights and elevating our customer offering with more routes to exciting destinations and access to aspirational airport lounges – not to mention the airline’s world-famous flair.
“The U.K. 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, enjoying the iconic travel experience that makes our newest member a globally loved airline.”
They finally joined an alliance
Well, it has taken long enough, but it seems that Virgin Atlantic’s “valued independence” has changed as parts of it have been sold, and finally further aligning itself with Delta (which has been working with Air France – KLM Group for some time).
As Virgin Atlantic continued to align itself closer to US Operations, it was only a matter of time before they formally joined an alliance, as well as the successful joint venture the airline has been a part of.
For passengers, one-ticket check-in is always welcome, as is the ability to earn points and access lounges across other airlines.
The devil – of course – is in the detail on the earn/redeem rates across the alliance.
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Finally! I flew twice on Virgin Atlantic (booked through Delta) to the U.K. and received NO Sky Miles points! Going again this August so I hope I get the Miles!
i am a gold delta member and get exit row seats on delta for free but get nothing on virgin they even expect me to pay an extra £100 each way just to sit in a regular window seat and this is for flights after they join sky team