It was almost an open secret. In any case, it was a predictable development. The strong links forged over the years between Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic on the transatlantic axis - and then by ricochet with Air France/KLM - was bound to lead to a formal integration into the Skyteam alliance.
The announcement is now official. The British airline will become the newest member of SkyTeam in early 2023. Virgin Atlantic will be the first and only British airline to join SkyTeamThis will further cement the alliance's transatlantic network. It will make it possible to make London Heathrow a Skyteam hub.
London Heathrow becomes a Skyteam hub
Virgin Atlantic serves 12 destinations in the United States in partnership with Delta and Air France-KLM, including Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. In May, the airline launched a brand new service to AustinTexas. It will begin daily flights to Tampa, Florida, in November.. Virgin Atlantic also has a very strong network in the English-speaking Caribbean.
Virgin Atlantic serves Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica and the Bahamas. Outside the Americas, the British carrier flies to China, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Nigeria, Pakistan and South Africa. Or around thirty destinations in total.
Le Terminal 3 at Heathrow is already home to the four partners in the transatlantic joint venture. The terminal is also home to Aeromexico and China Eastern, both members of SkyTeam. The six airlines will ensure that customers benefit from smooth air transits and the fastest possible connections. Other Heathrow-based carriers are likely to join them.
Manchester is emerging as another mini-hub in the UK. Virgin Atlantic and Delta operate several daily flights to the United States. Air France-KLM connects Manchester with Amsterdam and Paris, while Virgin also serves Islamabad.
Integration of loyalty programmes
Virgin Atlantic's entry into Skyteam will give its passengers access to more than 1000 destinations worldwide as well as a network of more than 750 airport lounges. Members of the airline's Flying Club will enjoy significant benefits. Cardholders of the Virgin Atlantic Silver will be recognised as members SkyTeam Elite. Card members Gold of the company will become Elite Plus. Elite status benefits include priority check-in, baggage handling and boarding.
For Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, joining Skyteam " will strengthen relationships with our valued partners at Delta and Air France-KLM, while opening up opportunities for collaboration with new airlines. This will enable us to offer our customers a seamless experience, with an extended network and enhanced loyalty benefits.. "
