In Fall 2022, it was introduced that Virgin Atlantic would be a part of SkyTeam on March 2, 2023. That date has arrived, and Virgin Atlantic has formally turn out to be SkyTeam’s latest member airline.
This marks the primary new addition to the alliance since 2014. Whereas Virgin Atlantic has beforehand partnered with different SkyTeam airways, equivalent to Delta and Air France/KLM, this announcement brings the UK-based airline absolutely built-in into the alliance.
Virgin Atlantic Turns into SkyTeam’s Latest Member
As of right this moment, Virgin Atlantic has turn out to be SkyTeam’s sole UK-based service. This can be a boon for the alliance, as it can improve the transatlantic choices for passengers primarily based out of Europe and North America.
Virgin Atlantic has flights from hubs in Manchester and London Heathrow to locations in North America, Africa, the Center East, the Indian Subcontinent, and Asia. The vast majority of its locations are in the US, which makes becoming a member of SkyTeam an incredible alternative for passengers seeking to fly between Europe and North America.
Virgin Atlantic additionally has an honest footprint within the Caribbean.
Becoming a member of SkyTeam will profit travellers from the UK and the US, as there will probably be extra choices for flights between the 2 areas.
Moreover, we’ll see an integration of reciprocal advantages for passengers with elite standing in any of the member airways.
Now that Virgin Atlantic has formally joined SkyTeam, Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership Silver members are acknowledged with SkyTeam Elite standing, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership Gold members are acknowledged with SkyTeam Elite Plus standing.
SkyTeam Elite standing is much like Star Alliance standing, though the advantages aren’t fairly pretty much as good.
All SkyTeam Elite standing holders get pleasure from precedence companies when flying with a SkyTeam-member airline, equivalent to check-in, boarding, and seating, in addition to an elevated baggage allowance. SkyTeam Elite Plus standing holders additional get pleasure from precedence baggage, assured reservations on sold-out flights, and lounge entry when flying in any class of service.
As is normally the case with airline alliances, passengers are capable of earn factors on any SkyTeam member flight. For instance, Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership members can now earn Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership factors on flights with Delta, Air France, KLM, Korean Air, and so forth.
Equally, passengers are capable of accumulate different SkyTeam-member airline loyalty factors on Virgin Atlantic flights. For instance, you’ll be able to credit score your paid Virgin Atlantic flights to Air France/KLM Flying Blue.
Moreover, there will probably be a reciprocal award availability profit. Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership members will be capable of redeem factors with all different SkyTeam members, and members from different SkyTeam loyalty applications will be capable of redeem factors with Virgin Atlantic.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership SkyTeam Award Chart
Virgin Atlantic has launched a SkyTeam companion award chart, with distance- and cabin-based pricing for all airways. The next chart exhibits one-way pricing for SkyTeam-member airways booked with Flying Membership factors.
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Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership Miles Required |
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There aren’t essentially any nice new candy spots with the award chart, though if you’re weighing the choices between British Airways Avios and Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership, it could be worthwhile to match prices between the 2 applications.
At the moment, you’ll be able to ebook reward flights with Delta, Air France, KLM, China Airways, Korean Air, Center East Airways, and Xiamen Air on-line, whereas all companion airline bookings should be remodeled the cellphone. The exceptions are China Jap and ITA Airways, that are to be built-in in a while this 12 months.
As of now, there aren’t any modifications to among the wonderful candy spots that may be booked with non-SkyTeam airways by Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership. For instance, top-of-the-line methods to ebook ANA First Class is with Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership, however since ANA is a Star Alliance airline, it’s unsure if this candy spot will final for the long run.
When you’ve got some Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership factors at your disposal and may discover award area, it’d be a good suggestion to make a redemption before later, simply in case the candy spots don’t final effectively into the long run.
How Is Flying with Virgin Atlantic?
The airline has a really robust floor expertise at its flagship Clubhouse lounge in London Heathrow. Eligible passengers get pleasure from sweeping airport views, high quality eating, and a singular lounge expertise.
Its enterprise class product, often called Higher Class, gives a lie-flat seat, welcome Champagne, and a decidedly purple expertise.
One distinctive characteristic of Virgin Atlantic Higher Class is the onboard lounge, often called The Loft. Right here, passengers can calm down with a drink and revel in some gentle snacks through the flight.
Each time an airline joins an alliance, passengers are afforded the chance to redeem factors on a better vary of merchandise, which is an effective scenario for all.
Since there are 12 routes from the US to the UK, it’ll be nice if we see higher award availability going ahead on Virgin Atlantic Higher Class with different applications which can be simpler to entry on each side of the border, equivalent to Air France/KLM Flying Blue.
Conclusion
Virgin Atlantic has formally joined SkyTeam as of March 2, 2023, changing into the only real UK-based airline within the alliance.
Passengers can now get pleasure from reciprocal incomes and redemption advantages between Virgin Atlantic and different SkyTeam airways.
It’s all the time nice to see new airways becoming a member of alliances, as travellers stand to learn from extra decisions. Passengers even have simpler connections between the US and the UK, with direct flights to London Heathrow and Manchester with Virgin Atlantic.
