Virgin Atlantic has forged a transatlantic partnership with US domestic budget carrier JetBlue.
The interline deal links the networks of the two airlines based on six of the UK long haul carrier’s North Atlantic routes. It allows travellers to connect from London, Glasgow and Manchester on Virgin Atlantic onward to JetBlue’s US network serving destinations including Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, San Diego, San Juan and Tampa.
The arrangement will cover Virgin flights from Heathrow to Boston, New York and Washington; and Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow to Orlando. Passengers will be able to purchase single itineraries combining travel on JetBlue and Virgin Atlantic.
JetBlue serves 64 US cities with 700 daily flights and plans to add services to Anchorage in Alaska and Martha’s Vineyard later this year. Virgin Atlantic commercial and revenue planning director Edmond Rose said:
“This partnership will offer Virgin Atlantic passengers a streamlined journey between our four UK airports and many cities across the US and Puerto Rico, enjoying the highest standards of service throughout their travels.”
Scott Resnick, airline partnerships director for New York-based JetBlue said: “With its focus on cultivating a distinctive brand and creating a customer experience that travellers prefer, Virgin Atlantic shares a similar philosophy with JetBlue.
“We look forward to welcoming their customers to the growing JetBlue network and to giving ours more options to the UK.”