Virgin Atlantic is joining the SkyTeam alliance as its only UK member airline and the first new member welcomed into the airline group for eight years.
The move from early next year enhances the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester airports.
It builds on the carrier’s transatlantic joint venture with Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, each already long established SkyTeam members.
The four partners are co-located at Heathrow Terminal 3, alongside existing SkyTeam members Aeromexico and China Eastern.
Work to on interlining and integration of Virgin has been ongoing for a year so customers can take advantage of the alliance when it goes live in January 2023.
Speaking at the announcement in London on Tuesday Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss said while the carrier valued its independence now was the right time to partner.
“Every year since 2014 we have been getting closer to SkyTeam and at some point it’s infinitely closer and you need to take the next step.
“For our customers it just simply is the right thing. With our major partners already in SkyTeam, and founding members, it just provides so much more for our passengers.
“There was no reason to say no anymore. Until we joined the joint venture [with Delta] we were ferociously independent. This is the next extension of the joint venture.
“We are proud of our independence, but we are prouder to be part of a partnership.”
Virgin Atlantic serves 12 destinations in the US in partnership with Delta and Air France-KLM including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco.
A new service to Austin, Texas started in May to be followed by daily flights to Tampa in Florida from November.
SkyTeam chairman and Korean Air chairman and chief executive Walter Cho said Virgin brings 40-years of heritage as a globally recognised brand to the alliance.
“We are delighted to welcome Virgin Atlantic into SkyTeam as the first UK-based member. SkyTeam is focussed on delivering the most seamless and sustainable journey for more than 600 million customers each year.
“With Virgin Atlantic we will be able to provide our customers with greater benefits, especially from the Heathrow hub. It’s long-term successful commercial partnership with Delta and Air France-KLM makes the move to membership a natural progression.”
“Virgin Atlantic is synonymous with innovation and excellent service, an iconic British airline with a global outlook that puts customers at the heart of its operations, like SkyTeam and its members, and we are delighted to welcome them into our alliance.”
Kristin Colvile, SkyTeam chief executive, said: “We’re thrilled that the first airline to join SkyTeam in eight years is such an iconic, innovative and global brand.
“For the next few months it’s all systems go as we finish off connectivity to provide seamless connections for all our customers. Virgin customers will be able to travel to almost every corner of the earth and earn and redeem miles on the way.”
Weiss said Virgin will look at access to its lounges to avoid over-crowding and ensure it maintains the experience that passengers value at its Clubhouse facilities.
He said the carrier would like to extend the lounge at Heathrow’s Terminal Three. Being part of SkyTeam opens lounge access to Virgin customers in 750 locations globally.