The airline has entered an elite club.
Virgin Atlantic has now officially joined the SkyTeam Alliance, becoming the first and only UK airline to do so.
There are three major airline alliances in the world, in which companies work together and share benefits and loyalty benefits. Virgin Atlantic already has alliances with the members of SkyTeam Delta Air Lines (DALL) – Get a free reportand Air France-KLM (AFRAF) but this takes it to a new level.
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Basically, this will make it easier for people who fly Virgin Atlantic to travel internationally and take connecting flights, and it will also simplify the booking process.
“We are delighted to welcome Virgin Atlantic to 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 world-famous flair of the airline,” said the CEO of SkyTeam. and managing director Patrick Roux said.
“The UK 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 beloved airline in everyone”.
Virgin passengers get extra benefits
Virgin Atlantic’s loyalty program is called Flying Club Silver, and thanks to the new alliance, people who signed up are now also SkyTeam Elite members, and Gold members are SkyTeam Elite Plus.
That comes with the following benefits:
- Priority reservation waiting list.
- Priority reservation at the airport.
- Priority entrance.
- Additional baggage allowance.
- Boarding priority.
- Preferential seats.
- Mileage improvements.
And SkyTeam Elite Plus also gets these benefits:
- SkyTeam Elite Benefits.
- Guaranteed reservation.
- Sky priority.
- Security and immigration priority.
- Access to VIP lounge on international flights.
- Priority baggage handling.
Advantages abound, but there are limits
There are other benefits too, including the ability to redeem Virgin points on many SkyTeam airlines, including Air France, Delta Air Lines and Middle East Airlines. But you can’t use award points for first class bookings.
Besides, as pointed out by Points Guy, members will have access to the Virgin’s Clubhouse lounge at London Heathrow Airport, but only if you are flying long-haul as access is limited to avoid crowds. But you can enter if you are one of the following:
- High-class passengers on Virgin Atlantic (including a guest)
- Delta One passengers on Delta
- Passengers connecting to La Première on Air France (including one guest)
- Premier class passengers on Aeroméxico.
