Virgin Atlantic has joined SkyTeam Alliance, becoming the first and only UK member airline of the alliance. Virgin Atlantic, founding partner of a Joint Venture with SkyTeam members, Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM has formally joined SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, at a signing ceremony in London Thursday, the airline disclosed in a statement. It noted that the airlines’ membership of the SkyTeam Alliance would enhance the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester airports. The statement said, “Virgin Atlantic customers will 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. “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 hard-earned points on SkyTeam member airlines. Alongside joint venture partners Delta & Air France-KLM, these 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.” It also disclosed that the airline’s Flying Club members would receive a host of benefits that would enhance their journeys across the SkyTeam network. “Virgin Atlantic’s entry into the alliance builds upon the success of its transatlantic joint venture with Delta and Air France-KLM, each already long-established SkyTeam member. “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,” it asserted.
