Virgin Atlantic to Join SkyTeam on March 2, 2023

In Fall 2022, it was announced that Virgin Atlantic would articulation SkyTeam astatine immoderate constituent successful 2023. The day has been announced, and arsenic of March 2, 2023, Virgin Atlantic volition officially go SkyTeam’s newest subordinate airline.

This marks the archetypal caller summation to the confederation since 2014. While Virgin Atlantic has antecedently partnered with different SkyTeam airlines, specified arsenic Delta and Air France/KLM, this announcement brings the UK-based hose afloat integrated into the alliance. 

Virgin Atlantic Will Become SkyTeam’s Newest Member

As of March 2, 2023, Virgin Atlantic volition go SkyTeam’s sole UK-based carrier. This is simply a boon for the alliance, arsenic it volition summation the transatlantic options for passengers based retired of Europe and North America.

Virgin Atlantic has flights from hubs successful Manchester and London Heathrow to destinations successful North America, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, and Asia. The bulk of its destinations are successful the United States, which makes joining SkyTeam a large accidental for passengers looking to alert betwixt Europe and North America. 

Virgin Atlantic besides has a decent footprint successful the Caribbean.

Joining SkyTeam volition payment travellers from the United Kingdom and the United States, arsenic determination volition beryllium much options for flights betwixt the 2 areas.

Furthermore, we’ll spot an integration of reciprocal benefits for passengers with elite presumption successful immoderate of the subordinate airlines.

SkyTeam passengers with elite presumption volition bask benefits connected Virgin Atlantic

Once Virgin Atlantic officially joins SkyTeam, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Silver members volition beryllium recognized with SkyTeam Elite status, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold members volition beryllium recognized with SkyTeam Elite Plus status.

SkyTeam Elite presumption is akin to Star Alliance status, though the benefits aren’t rather arsenic good.

All SkyTeam Elite presumption holders volition bask precedence services, specified arsenic check-in, boarding, and seating, arsenic good arsenic an accrued baggage allowance. SkyTeam Elite Plus presumption holders volition further bask precedence baggage, guaranteed reservations connected sold-out flights, and lounge access.

As is usually the lawsuit with hose alliances, passengers volition beryllium capable to gain miles connected immoderate SkyTeam subordinate flight. For example, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members volition beryllium capable to gain Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points connected flights from Delta, Air France, KLM, etc.

Similarly, passengers volition beryllium capable to accumulate different SkyTeam-member hose loyalty points connected Virgin Atlantic flights. For example, you tin recognition your paid Virgin Atlantic flights to Air France/KLM Flying Blue.

Furthermore, determination volition beryllium a reciprocal grant availability payment with this partnership. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members volition beryllium capable to redeem points with each different SkyTeam members, and members from different SkyTeam loyalty programs volition beryllium capable to redeem points with Virgin Atlantic.

It remains to beryllium seen what volition hap to immoderate of the astonishing saccharine spots that tin beryllium booked with non-SkyTeam airlines connected Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. For example, 1 of the champion ways to publication ANA First Class is with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Since ANA is simply a Star Alliance airline, it’s uncertain if this saccharine spot volition last.

If you person immoderate Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points astatine your disposal and tin find grant space, it’d beryllium a bully thought to marque a redemption sooner than later, conscionable successful lawsuit the saccharine spots don’t past good into the future.

How Is Flying with Virgin Atlantic?

The hose has a precise beardown crushed acquisition astatine its flagship Clubhouse lounge successful London Heathrow. Eligible passengers volition bask sweeping airdrome views, good dining, and a unsocial lounge experience.

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse London – Rooftop terrace

Its concern people product, known arsenic Upper Class, offers a lie-flat seat, invited Champagne, and a decidedly purple experience.

Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Class – Welcome drink

Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Class – Seat

One unsocial diagnostic of Virgin Atlantic Upper Class is the onboard lounge, known arsenic The Loft. Here, passengers tin unbend with a portion and bask immoderate airy snacks during the flight.

Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Class – The Loft

Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Class – Cocktail astatine The Loft

Whenever an hose joins an alliance, passengers are afforded the accidental to redeem points connected a greater scope of products, which is simply a bully concern for all. Since determination are 12 routes from the United States to the United Kingdom, it’ll beryllium large if we spot amended grant availability connected Virgin Atlantic Upper Class with different programs that are easier to access, specified arsenic Air France/KLM Flying Blue.

Conclusion

Virgin Atlantic is acceptable to articulation SkyTeam arsenic of March 2, 2023. At this point, It volition go the sole UK-based hose successful the alliance. 

Once the hose officially joins the alliance, passengers volition bask reciprocal earning and redemption benefits betwixt Virgin Atlantic and different SkyTeam airlines.

It’s ever large to spot caller airlines joining alliances, arsenic travellers basal to payment from much choices. Passengers besides basal to person easier connections betwixt the United States and the UK, with nonstop flights to London Heathrow and Manchester with Virgin Atlantic.

The station Virgin Atlantic to Join SkyTeam connected March 2, 2023 appeared archetypal connected Prince of Travel by T.J. Dunn.